But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV
When a Roman general had a significant victory over an opposing force, he might be awarded the honor of a victory parade through Rome. And included in that parade would be some of the more significant captives that had been taken. It was both to honor the victor and humiliate the captives.
And Paul uses that imagery in this verse, putting himself in the position of one of the humiliated captives. A captive in Christ’s triumphal parade. Unlike many of those causing problems in the Corinthian church, Paul did not brag about his own greatness. Instead, he boasted of the greatness of God and delighted in his own weakness. He was thankful to be a captive of Christ, giving Christ the honor and glory that was rightfully his.
This illustration of a captive in a victory parade is a needful reminder to me. It’s not about me and my accomplishments in the kingdom of God. Instead, I need to be thankful for the privilege of being able to serve God, seeking his honor and not my own. I am nothing. He is everything.
