2 Corinthians 2:15 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

The constant triumph of the faithful minister. I. HE TRIUMPHS BECAUSE WHEREVER HE GOES HE MAKES KNOWN GOD AND CHRIST . This is a true triumph. If he succeeds in doing this he has a great success—the success of performance of duty and of fulfilment of the Divine will. Moreover, the kingdom of God is almost certain to be extended. Apparent failure, when more closely examined and tried by the test of time, will often be found to be success. II. HIS TRIUMPH ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:15

We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ. The undeveloped metaphor involved in these words is that "we and our preaching diffuse to God's glory the knowledge of Christ which is as a sweet savour." The apostles are identified with their work; they were as the incense, crushed and burned, but diffusing everywhere a waft of perfume. St. Paul is still thinking of the incense burnt in the streets of Rome during a triumph—"Dabimusque Divis Tura benignis" (Horace, 'Od.,' 2 Corinthians 4:2 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

The twofold issues of a preached gospel. Heroes, in the older days of the apostle, were usually great generals, leaders of mighty armies, conquerors of other nations—men whose "glory" came from desolated cities, down-trodden races, wasted harvests, and crushed and bleeding hearts. And such heroes were permitted to have a "triumph," as it was called. A triumphal procession was arranged in their honour, and to this event the Roman generals looked as to the very goal of their ambition.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:15

For we are unto God - We who are his ministers, and who thus triumph. It is implied here that Paul felt that ministers were laboring for God, and felt assured that their labors would be acceptable to him. The object of Paul in the statement, in this and in the following verses, is undoubtedly to meet the charges of his detractors and enemies. He says, therefore, that whatever was the result of his labors in regard to the future salvation of people; yet, that his well-meant endeavors, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

2 Corinthians 2:15-16. For we The preachers of the gospel, the apostles especially; are unto God a sweet odour of Christ He is well pleased with this perfume diffused by us, with this incense of his name and gospel, which we spread abroad both in them that believe, love, and obey, and are therefore saved, and in them that obstinately disbelieve, and disobey, and consequently perish. To the one Those that believe not; we are the odour of death unto death The fragrancy, so rich in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Paul’s sincerity in his ministry (2:12-17)Once again Paul states that all his movements were guided by an interest for the Corinthians, not for himself. He was so keen to meet Titus and hear news of the Corinthians that he could not concentrate on his work in Troas. So rather than wait for Titus in Troas he went across to Macedonia, in the hope of meeting him there (12-13).The good news that Titus brought from Corinth leads Paul to an outburst of praise to God. He pictures the preachers of the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Corinthians 2:15

sweet savour . Greek. euodia, Elsewhere, Ephesians 5:2 .Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:18 . saved = being saved. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:1 , 1 Corinthians 1:18 . perish = are perishing. Greek. opollumi . See 1 Corinthians 1:18 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:15

For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?Vast quantities of incense were burned along the route of a Roman triumph; and those who were in the heroic procession found the meaning of that odor an assurance of their death on the one hand, or of their life, if they were spared, on the other hand. The overwhelmingly delicious... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

2 Corinthians 2:15-16. For we are unto God, &c.— For, upon God's account, [or, in order that God may be known] we communicate a savoury odour of Christ, to them who are saved, and to them who are not, 2 Corinthians 2:16. To the one we are the savour of death, so as to prove mortal to them; and to the others the savour of life, so as to revive them. The phrase, For upon God's account, is, literally, For God. That God cannot be effectually known, but through Christ, is the constant doctrine... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:15

15. The order is in Greek, "For (it is) of Christ (that) we are a sweet savor unto God"; thus, the "for" justifies his previous words ( :-), "the savor of HIS (Christ's) knowledge." We not only scatter the savor; but "we are the sweet savor" itself ( :-; compare John 1:14; John 1:16; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 2:27). in them that are saved—rather, "that are being saved . . . that are perishing" (see on 1 John 2:27- :). As the light, though it blinds in darkness the weak, is for all that still light;... read more