NIKE

2 Corinthians 2: 14 – 17

Nike was the name given to the Greek goddess of victory. She was called upon by soldiers during times of war, and by athletes prior to going to compete. And, if either group was victorious, there would be a spectacular parade through the streets of the city.
One of the things about these victory processions in ancient “Roman” times was that there was a slave who rode with the leader of the victory and would shout continually about the sins, and shortcomings of the hero during the parade to help keep him humble.

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?
17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

I guess that being the smell of death can be humbling like that slave who rode with the hero, but we are also the fragrance of life. (go figure huh?)
In the roman world where Paul taught, victory was highly valued. So, when he expressed the truth of Christ, Paul used language that the people would understand. In his letters he describes Jesus as the one who leads the triumphal procession, and compares Christian life to athletes preparing to compete in the Olympic games.
Paul used these words to illustrate our struggles and our ability to overcome.
He tells us things like, overcome evil with good, and to have an attitude of love which we cannot generate by our own strength, but we can with Jesus, in whom we have divine power.

Jesus is the true God of victory.