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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among 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.

Context of 2 Corinthians 2:15

13I had no relief in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them and set out for Macedonia. 14But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and who makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing – 16to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? 17For we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for profit, but we are speaking in Christ before God as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God.

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 the Lord smelled the soothing aroma and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, even though the inclination of their minds is evil from childhood on. I will never again destroy everything that lives, as I have just done.
• Exodus 29:18and burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a soothing aroma; it is an offering made by fire to the Lord.
• Ezekiel 20:41When I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the lands where you are scattered, I will accept you along with your soothing aroma. I will display my holiness among you in the sight of the nations.
• Ephesians 5:2and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
• Philippians 4:18For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent – a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God.
• 2 Corinthians 4:3But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing,
• Isaiah 49:5So now the Lord says, the one who formed me from birth to be his servant – he did this to restore Jacob to himself, so that Israel might be gathered to him; and I will be honored in the Lord’s sight, for my God is my source of strength –
• 1 Corinthians 1:18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:10and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to 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