2 Corinthians 2:12-17When I came to Troas to proclaim the good news of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord; You’d think this was a good thing: an open door to preach the Gospel. That is what an Evangelist lives for, and yet Paul literally walks away from it. Is it ever right to walk away from opportunities? Is an opportunity the same thing as a divine calling? That is an important question. Many would insist that an open door is from God and does, indeed, show us what He wants us to do next: go through it! But Paul does not.
but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said farewell to them and went on to Macedonia.
He turns down an opportunity because of his gut feelings, his emotions. He moves on to something else because his mind could not rest. Surprising! He says his restlessness was due to concerns about his co-worker, Titus. Titus had gone to Corinth with a letter from Paul about problems there. Paul had hoped to see Titus in Troas and learn the outcome of his Corinthian trip. He was worried about both his friend and the church in that city. Very worried. He confesses to “fear within” (See 7:5) Paul was preoccupied with that and thus could not focus on the opportunity in front of him. His fears had to be resolved, peace restored, before he could go on through any new door.
When Paul finally meets up with Titus, he receives good news about the man and his mission to Corinth. This news brings great comfort and joy to Paul (See chap 7) Having his fears allayed, he is able to get back to work.
…thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him.
The mental, emotional and physical strain of being an Apostle has been overwhelming. Paul asks, Who is sufficient for these things?
The answer comes in the next chapter, where he answers his question, our sufficiency is from God (3:4)
May the Lord enable us to apply the lessons in this story to ourselves today. Amen
