2 Corinthians 2:14-17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

After these directions concerning the excommunicated person the apostle makes a long digression, to give the Corinthians an account of his travels and labours for the furtherance of the gospel, and what success he had therein, declaring at the same time how much he was concerned for them in their affairs, how he had no rest in his spirit, when he found not Titus at Troas (2 Cor. 2:13), as he expected, from whom he hoped to have understood more perfectly how it fared with them. And we find... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

2:12-17 When we had come to Troas to tell the good news of Christ, even when a door of opportunity stood open to us in the Lord, I had no rest for my spirit, because I did not find Titus, my brother, there. But thanks be to God who at all times leads us in the train of his triumph in Christ, and who, through us, displays the perfume of the knowledge of him in every place; for we are the sweet scent of Christ in God to those who are destined for salvation and to those who are destined for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:14

Now thanks be unto God ,.... The apostle having mentioned the door that was opened for him at Troas, to preach the Gospel with success, calls to mind the great and manifold appearances of God for him and his fellow ministers, in blessing their labours to the conversion of many souls; which causes him to break forth into thanksgiving to God, on this account: what he takes notice of, and is thankful to God for is, that he always causeth us to triumph in Christ ; not only had done so, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:15

For we are unto God a sweet savour ,.... Here a reason is given, why the savour of the knowledge of God in Christ is made manifest by the ministers of the Gospel, because they themselves are a sweet savour; not that they are so in themselves, for they have the same corrupt hearts and natures, and complain of them as other men; but as having the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, comparable to fragrant and sweet smelling ointments, Song of Solomon 1:3 , by which they are enabled to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:16

To the one we are the savour of death unto death ,.... Who are for death, or appointed to it; see Jeremiah 43:11 . What the apostle says of the Gospel, and Gospel ministers, the Jews his countrymen used frequently to say of the law, and to which he seems to refer; "saith Rabba F6 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 88. 2. , to them that go on the right hand of it, (the law,) it is סמא דחיי , "the savour of life"; but to them that go on the left hand of it, it is סמא דמותא , "the savour of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:17

For we are not as many ,.... The apostle here removes from himself, and other ministers of the Gospel, a character which belonged not to them, but to the false apostles; who are described by their number many; there were great swarms of false teachers in the early times of Christianity; see 1 John 2:18 ; some copies read, "as the rest": and so the Syriac and Arabic versions; and also by their quality, which corrupt the word of God ; by "the word of God", may be meant the Scriptures in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:14

Now, thanks be unto God - His coming dispelled all my fears, and was the cause of the highest satisfaction to my mind; and filled my heart with gratitude to God, who is the Author of all good, and who always causes us to triumph in Christ; not only gives us the victory, but such a victory as involves the total ruin of our enemies; and gives us cause of triumphing in him, through whom we have obtained this victory. A triumph, among the Romans, to which the apostle here alludes, was a public... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:17

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God - God has made Us sufficient for these things by giving us his own pure doctrine, the ministry of reconciliation, which we conscientiously preserve and preach; and we act, not like many among you, who, having received that doctrine, corrupt it; mingling with it their own inventions, and explaining away its force and influence, so as to accommodate it to men of carnal minds. The word καπηλευοντες , from καπηλος , a tavernkeeper,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:14

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:17

Group of Brands