2 Corinthians 2:15-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Outburst of thanksgiving for the news brought by Titus.' read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Coming to Troas (disquietude; defence of his apostleship) Quite abruptly St. Paul mentions that he came to Troas. Why he left Ephesus he does not say, but we infer it was because of his anxiety to see Titus, and hear from him how his letter to the Corinthians had been received. There was a fine opening at Troas to preach the gospel, and yet he was greatly disquieted as Titus did not meet him. "Taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia." Here he met Titus, though, in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

The solemnity of the ministry. A Roman triumph, to which the apostle refers in this passage, was the most magnificent of earthly pageants. The conqueror, in whose honour it was given, was an illustrious commander, who had defeated an enemy or gained a province. The route traversed by the triumphal procession lay through Rome to the Capitol itself. The spectators who feasted their eyes upon the sight were the vast population of the city. Before, the victor passed onwards the captives taken... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:16

The savour of death unto death; rather, a savour from death to death . To those who are perishing, the incense of the Name of Christ which our work enables them to breathe, seems to rise from death, and to lead to death. They (for here again the outlines of the metaphor shift) are like the doomed captives, who, as they breathed the incense on the day of triumph, knew where that triumph would lead them before the victors can climb the Capitol. To them it would seem to bring with it not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:16

Who is sufficient? Those to whom the ministry of the gospel of Christ is merely a profession, who regard the offices of religion as a routine, who consider chiefly such emoluments and advantages as may be connected with it, read these words with astonishment and without sympathy, But those who think as Paul thought of the ministry, with a wondering amazement at the grace of God and at the provision made in Christ for the passage of that grace to man, those who realize the preciousness of... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:16

To the one - To those who perish.We are the savour of death unto death - We are the occasion of deepening their condemnation, and of sinking them lower into ruin. The expression used here means literally, “to the one class we bear a death-conveying odor leading to their death” - a savor, a smell which, under the circumstances, is destructive to life, and which leads to death. Mr. Locke renders this: “To the one my preaching is of ill savor, unacceptable and offensive, by their rejecting whereof... read more

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