Paul's second prayer in his second letter to the church at Corinth

Paul has explained what has been behind changes in his plans and the changes' outcome. Then comes this praise: "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved, and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance of life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ" (2:14-17; italics mine; ESV).

Paul begins here to differentiate himself from those whom he refers to as peddlers of God's Word. More on that later in this letter. However, we too need to be discerning, able to tell the difference between those who are motived by financial gain and those who are motivated by a call, men commissioned by God, as Paul refers to them.

Reading this passage at this time makes me think of those who gather annually in March for the Shepherds' Conference at Grace Community Church. Why? They too seek to be men of sincerity, commissioned by God, in the sight of God to speak in Christ.