I also… The apostle here granted an indulgence, or pardon, in the person and by the authority of Christ, to the incestuous Corinthian, whom before he had put under penance, which pardon consisted in a releasing of part of the temporal punishment due to his sin.
2:11. That we be not overreached by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his devices.
2:12. And when I was come to Troas for the gospel of Christ and a door was opened unto me in the Lord,
2:13. I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but bidding them farewell, I went into Macedonia.
2:14. Now thanks be to God, who always maketh us to triumph in Christ Jesus and manifesteth the odour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2:15. For we are the good odour of Christ unto God, in them that are saved and in them that perish.
2:16. To the one indeed the odour of death unto death: but to the others the odour of life unto life. And for these things who is so sufficient?
The odour of death, etc… The preaching of the apostle, which by its fragrant odour, brought many to life, was to others, through their own fault, the occasion of death; by their wilfully opposing and resisting that divine call.
2:17. For we are not as many, adulterating the word of God: but with sincerity: but as from God, before God, in Christ we speak.
2 Corinthians Chapter 3