2 Corinthians 2:12-16 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:15

For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ - The apostle still alludes to the case of a triumph; the conqueror always represented the person of Jupiter; as even the heathens supposed that God alone could give the victory: and as the punishment of death was inflicted on some of the captives, who had often rebelled and broken leagues and covenants; so others were spared, made tributaries, and often became allies. Alluding to this, the apostle says: We are a sweet savour to God - we have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:16

To the one we are the savour of death unto death - There are several sayings among the ancient Jewish writers similar to this. In Debarim Rabba, sec. i. fol. 248, it is said: "As the bee brings home honey to its owner, but stings others; so it is with the words of the law;" לישראל חיים סם sam chaiyim leyisrael , "They are a savour of lives to the Israelites:" העולם לאומות המות וסם vesam hammaveth leomoth haolam , "And a savour of death to the people of this world." The learned reader... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:12

Verse 12 12.When I had come to Troas By now mentioning what he had been doing in the mean time, in what places he had been, and what route he had pursued in his journeyings, he more and more confirms what he had said previously as to his coming to the Corinthians. He says that he had come to Troas from Ephesus for the sake of the gospel, for he would not have proceeded in that direction, when going into Achaia, had he not been desirous to pass through Macedonia. As, however, he did not find... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:14

Verse 14 14.But thanks be to God Here he again glories in the success of his ministry, and shows that he had been far from idle in the various places he had visited; but that he may do this in no invidious way, he sets out with a thanksgiving, which we shall find him afterwards repeating. Now he does not, in a spirit of ambition, extol his own actions, that his name may be held in renown, nor does he, in mere pretense, give thanks to God in the manner of the Pharisee, while lifted up, in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:15

Verse 15 15.A sweet odor of Christ The metaphor which he had applied to the knowledge of Christ, he now transfers to the persons of the Apostles, but it is for the same reason. For as they are called the light of the world, (Matthew 5:14,) because they enlighten men by holding forth the torch of the gospel, and not as if they shone forth upon them with their own lustre; so they have the name of odor, not as if they emitted any fragrance of themselves, but because the doctrine which they bring... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:16

Verse 16 16.And who is sufficient for these things? This exclamation is thought by some (349) to be introduced by way of guarding against arrogance, for he confesses, that to discharge the office of a good Apostle (350) to Christ is a thing that exceeds all human power, and thus he ascribes the praise to God. Others think, that he takes notice of the small number of good ministers. I am of opinion, that there is an implied contrast that is shortly afterwards expressed. “Profession, it is true,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12

Furthermore, when I came to Troas. "Furthermore" is too strong for the "but" of the original. There is an apparently abrupt transition, but the apostle is only resuming the narrative which he broke off at 2 Corinthians 2:4 in order that he might finish the topic of the painful circumstance in which his First Epistle had originated. To Troas . Not "the Troas." St. Paul had to do with the city, not with the district. The city (now Eski Stamboul ) , of which the name had been changed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12

An open door. Men are prone to think what doors are open to them to enter, through which they may pass to their own profit, or advancement, or pleasure. Paul's was an unselfish and benevolent nature. He was a true follower of Christ, who came, not to do his own will, and not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Again and again, in the course of his life, his heart was gladdened by the spectacle of a door of holy service set open before him by God's providence, inviting him to enter in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

Providential doors. Introduce by describing the leading instances of providential deliverance, care, and guidance in the life of the Apostle Paul. Especially dwell on the cases in which his life was preserved from peril and from the plots of his enemies. The reference made in our text is rather to the gracious way in which his missionary journeyings and missionary spheres had been opened before him; and the illustration may be taken from the singular way in which doors were opened and... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:16

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

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