“But thanks be to God!
He always leads us
In triumphal procession
In Christ.
He spreads,
Through us,
In everyplace,
The fragrance
That comes from knowing him.”
Τῷ δὲ Θεῷ χάρις τῷ πάντοτε θριαμβεύοντι ἡμᾶς ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ καὶ τὴν ὀσμὴν τῆς γνώσεως αὐτοῦ φανεροῦντι δι’ ἡμῶν ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ·
Paul said thanks or grace be to God (Τῷ δὲ Θεῷ χάρις)! God always leads them in a triumphal procession in Christ (τῷ πάντοτε θριαμβεύοντι ἡμᾶς ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ). He spreads (καὶ τὴν ὀσμὴν), through us (δι’ ἡμῶν), in everyplace (ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ), the fragrance (καὶ τὴν ὀσμὴν) of his knowledge (τῆς γνώσεως αὐτοῦ) that has become manifest (φανεροῦντι). Only this Corinthian letter used this word θριαμβεύοντι, that means to triumph, lead around, or make a show. Paul gave thanks to God because he always led them in the triumphal procession of Jesus Christ. The fragrance or the aroma of the knowledge of God appeared and was spread around by them. Paul portrayed the Christians as having a Roman like march after a successful victory to honor the pagan god Jupiter. They, instead, had been successful against evil. Do you feel good about your Christian activities?