Hebrew 12:5-11 "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."  Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

I know one brother who rather than dealing with the sins of others under his responsibility, simply excuses himself from responsibility even within his own family saying, "I gave it to the cross", meaning he's supposedly handing over his responsibility to Jesus. Christians are often reluctant to take responsibility over others even when they are in positions of authority, revealing their lack of love. For I infer that many are more concerned about what others think of them rather than whether people's needs are being met. Yes, if you deal with people's sins, you often will experience a great deal of hostility. But that is the Christian life. Consider even that the verses from Hebrews above were preceded by the following:

Heb 12:3,4 "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."

Matthew 10:36  "a man's enemies will be the members of his own household."

True wisdom and righteousness go hand in hand, which can be measured by people's response to legitmate rebuke. And these I expect of true believers.

But now imagine Paul's encouragement at the response of the Corinthians to his rebuke. For they showed themselves wise and righteous. Thus Paul wants not to discourage them further, but encourage them in this kind of response. Yet he doesn't come to visit them, but purposely stays away. Why? Simply to indicate to them that he thinks they are doing fine and are not in serious need of his help. (Sometimes being too helpful is not being helpful) Thus there is a balance in Christian ministry not unlike that in raising children. We should be fatherly - disciplining, but not too stern. We should be motherly - helpful and caring for feelings, but allowing independence.

vs 11 What is Satan's scheme he is referring to? Satan is rather skilled at taking a good thing and corrupting it. For example, take the idea of objecting to what is perceived as heretical teachings. It's good to voice objection to heretical teachings, but not to murder heretics. But not only the Catholic Church, but even many of the famous reformed theologians like John Calvin, Zwingli, and Bullinger supported the violent murder of heretics, contrary to the Bible. "Whoever shall now contend that it is unjust to put heretics and blasphemers to death will knowingly and willingly incur their very guilt." John Calvin. And even in the case of repentance there is often so much hostility that even having repented, the accused may be harshly treated and ostracized by the Corinthian church. It's pretty bad when churches mistreat individual Christians for illegitmate reasons. As if being persecuted by the world weren't bad enough.

Satan wants Christians on the extremes of legalism or licentious. And this is quite in keeping with the history of "popular" Christianity. But maturity is measured not by extreme behavior, but by appropriate behavior. But what is "normal" and appropriate Christian living may be viewed as extreme by those living on the extremes. Consider also Satan's scheme to develop a false sense of unity in the Christian community through ecumenicalism in which "Christians" are not allowed to discuss their differences for fear of "disunity". But "unity" for unity's sake is not the objective. Rather than focus on being "united" with one another or united around some human dogma, Christians should focus on being united with the Biblical Christ. That's Biblical unity. But today even dealing with sin within the church is often considered being "divisive". For it invites hostility and "disunity". And thus Satan has deceived many into taking  an apathetic position. Just as he has successfully eliminated most of the Christian community from viewing ministry as their personal responsibility. Are you unaware of Satan's schemes? Apparently many Christians are.

vs 12-13 What was so important about Titus that Paul would leave the ministry that he believed the Lord had opened to him in Troas? He doesn't really explain this until chapter 7 where he says:

"But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever." 2Cor 7:6,7

vs 14-16 Despite being trouble about the Corinthians and the other churches, yet Paul is quick to point out that inevitably God leads us triumphantly in Christ through the trials of Christian ministry as we are the aroma of Christ in every place.

What does Christ smell like? He is a sweet aroma to the believers, but the stench of death to the unbelievers. How do people react to you when you present Christ to them? Don't be surprised if they react as if you had the stench of death. For we preach Christ crucified. We preach his shed blood atones for our sins.

Even under the Old Covenant to approach God one had to approach the stench of death. For it was in the temple and the tabernacle that animal sacrifices were made. Much blood was shed. "and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Heb 9:22 But this message is not attractive to those who are not convicted of sin.  But to the humble, the death of Christ, his shed blood is a sweet aroma, justfying them and opening the way for the forgiveness of our sins. And it is a sweet aroma to God as well.

Exodus 29:18  Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire.

vs 17 "corrupt" (kjv) is literally "to peddle" or "to make money by selling anything". Many times it has been suggested to me that I should use this web site for profit. There are too many peddlers of the Word of God. Too many people who demand to get paid for doing ministry. I don't get paid for doing ministry.  In much of his writings as here Paul discourages making money off of ministry. There's much more material that would be edifying that I would like to provide freely, but the peddlers of the Word of God hinder me through copyright laws. I couldn't even post a modern translation of the Bible extensively in my study guides, having to use the KJV with its somewhat archaic terminology because of the restrictions of the peddlers until the web (World English Bible) came out.

Peddlers are also in the habit of adulterating their commodities for the sake of gain. There are those who distort the Word of God or their presentation of Christ in order to simply make more money. There are even ministers who may not even realize the hold that money has on them, who unconsciously distort the Word so as to make more of it. They distort it so as to make it more "Popular" or to simply make people feel good about themselves. "They will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2Tim 4:3 Popular Christianity seldom represents Biblical Christianity. If something is popular, there's usually something wrong with it. And true believers are probably not the majority, but the remnant of Christendom.

Paul uses the word "many". He may mean one of two things by this. Either there were many Bible peddlers. Or of those who minister the word, a large percentage were simply ministering for personal gain. In any case, those who minister sincerely are in the minority. Paul writes of Timothy to the Philippians, "I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare." Philippians 2:20

In ministering, Paul sees himself as not simply speaking in the sight of men, but of God.