American Standard Version
2 Corinthians 2:16
16to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
- New International Version (NIV)To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
- English Standard Version (ESV)to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
- New King James Version (NKJV)To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Context of 2 Corinthians 2:16
14But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. 15For 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? 17For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 22 Corinthians 2:16 word by word
οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν. καὶ πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός;Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 2:16
- Luke 2:34and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;
- John 9:39And Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that they that see not may see; and that they that see may become blind.
- Acts 13:45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
- Acts 20:26Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
- 1 Peter 2:7For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;
- 2 Corinthians 3:5not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;
- 2 Corinthians 12:11I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 2:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16To 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16To 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-17Verses 12-17 A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the gospel is a savour of death unto death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto others, the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15-16Incense was scattered along the parade route of a victorious Roman general, and people received it in two ways. For the captives heading to the arena and death, it smelled like death and doom. For the victors, it was a life-giving perfume. This is similar to those who share the good news about Jesus. It either leads to eternal life or seals the fate of those who reject it (compare 1 Corinthians 1:18).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. savour of death unto death ... of life unto life--an odor arising out of death (a mere announcement of a dead Christ, and a virtually lifeless Gospel, in which light unbelievers regard the Gospel message), ending (as the just and natural consequence) in death (to the unbeliever); (but to the believer) an odor arising out of life (that is, the announcement of a risen and living Saviour), ending in life (to the believer) (Mt 21:44; Lu 2:34; Joh 9:39)…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 2:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries