{But thanks be unto God} (	(9369) de the(9369) charis). Sudden
outburst of gratitude in contrast to the previous dejection in
Troas. Surely a new paragraph should begin here. In point of fact
Paul makes a long digression from here to  6:10  on the subject
of the Glory of the Christian Ministry as Bachmann points out in
his _Kommentar_ (p. 124), only he runs it from  2:12-7:1  (_Aus
der Tiefe in die Hohe_, Out of the Depths to the Heights). We can
be grateful for this emotional outburst, Paul's rebound of joy on
meeting Titus in Macedonia, for it has given the world the finest
exposition of all sides of the Christian ministry in existence,
one that reveals the wealth of Paul's nature and his mature grasp
of the great things in service for Christ. See my _The Glory of
the Ministry (An Exposition of II Cor. 2:12-6:10_). {Always}
(pantote). The sense of present triumph has blotted out the
gloom at Troas. {Leadeth in triumph} (	hriambeuonti). Late
common _Koin(825f) word from 	hriambos (Latin _triumphus_, a hymn
sung in festal processions to Bacchus). Verbs in -eu(935c) (like
math(8874)eu(935c), to make disciples) may be causative, but no example
of 	hriambeu(935c) has been found with this meaning. It is always to
lead in triumph, in papyri sometimes to make a show of. Picture
here is of Paul as captive in God's triumphal procession. {The
savour} (	(886e) osm(886e)). In a Roman triumph garlands of flowers
scattered sweet odour and incense bearers dispensed perfumes. The
knowledge of God is here the aroma which Paul had scattered like
an incense bearer.