2 Corinthians 2:15 - Exposition

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 .51)—though his expression recalls the "odour of a sweet smell," of Le 2 Corinthians 1:9 , 2 Corinthians 1:13 , 2 Corinthians 1:17 (comp. Ephesians 5:2 ); see on this passage the excellent note of Bishop Wordsworth. In them that are saved, and in them that perish; rather, among those who are perishing and those who are being saved (comp. Acts 2:47 ). The odour is fragrant to God, though those who breathe it may be variously affected by it.