2 Corinthians 2:15

2 Corinthians 2:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
• New International Version (NIV)For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

Context of 2 Corinthians 2:15

13my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. 14But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:15 word by word

ὅτι Χριστοῦ εὐωδία ἐσμὲν τῷ θεῷ ἐν τοῖς σῳζομένοις καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• we areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• unto Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• unto Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• a sweet savourεὐωδίαeuōdia · aromaG2175
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• are savedσῴζωsōzō · to saveG4982
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• perishἀπολλύωapollumi · to destroyG622

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 2:15

• Genesis 8:21And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
• Exodus 29:18and burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord. It is a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord.
• Ezekiel 20:41As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations.
• Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
• Philippians 4:18I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
• 2 Corinthians 4:3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
• Isaiah 49:5And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength—
• 1 Corinthians 1:18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 2:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15For 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15For 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…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. 1515. 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 (2Co 2:14), "the savor of His (Christ's) knowledge." We not only scatter the savor; but "we are the sweet savor" itself (So 1:3; compare Joh 1:14, 16; Ep 5:2; 1Jo 2:27). in them that are saved--rather, "that are being saved ... that are perishing" (see on 1Co 1:18). As the light, though it blinds in darkness the weak, is…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 2:15

• Judgment
• Love
• Minister, Christian
• Preaching
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• God
• Christ, Messiah
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Advantage
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Determine
• Sufficient
• Army
• Church Government

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