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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Corinthians 2:12–17. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
After these directions concerning the excommunicated person the apostle makes a long digression, to give the Corinthians an account of his travels and labours for the furtherance of the gospel, and what success he had therein, declaring at the same time how much he was concerned for them in their affairs, how he had no rest in his spirit, when he found not Titus at Troas (Co2 2:13), as he expected, from whom he hoped to have understood more perfectly how it fared with them. And we find afterwards (Co2 7:5-7) that when the apostle had come into Macedonia he was comforted by the coming of Titus, and the information he gave him concerning them. So that we may look upon all that we read from this second chapter, v. 12, to ch. 7:5, as a kind of parenthesis. Observe here,
I.Paul's unwearied labour and diligence in his work, Co2 2:12, Co2 2:13.
He travelled from place to place, to preach the gospel. He went to Troas from Philippi by sea (Act 20:6), and thence he went to Macedonia; so that he was prevented from passing by Corinth, as he had designed, Co2 1:16. But, though he was prevented in his design as to the place of working, yet he was unwearied in his work.
II.His success in his work:
A great door was opened to him of the Lord, Co2 2:12. He had a great deal of work to do wherever he came, and had good success in his work; for God made manifest the savour of his knowledge by him in every place where he came. He had an opportunity to open the door of his mouth freely, and God opened the hearts of his hearers, as the heart of Lydia (Act 16:14), and the apostle speaks of this as a matter of thankfulness to God and of rejoicing to his soul: Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ. Note,
1.A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. In ourselves we are weak, and have neither joy nor victory; but in Christ we may rejoice and triumph.
2.True believers have constant cause of triumph in Christ, for they are more than conquerors through him who hath loved them, Rom 8:37.
3.God causeth them to triumph in Christ. It is God who has given us matter for triumph, and hearts to triumph. To him therefore be the praise and glory of all.
4.The good success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing.
III.The comfort that the apostle and his companions in labour found, even when the gospel was not successful to the salvation of some who heard it, Co2 2:15-17. Here observe,
1.The different success of the gospel, and its different effects upon several sorts of persons to whom it is preached. The success is different; for some are saved by it, while others perish under it. Nor is this to be wondered at, considering the different effects the gospel has. For,
(1.)Unto some it is a savour of death unto death. Those who are willingly ignorant, and wilfully obstinate, disrelish the gospel, as men dislike an ill savour, and therefore they are blinded and hardened by it: it stirs up their corruptions, and exasperates their spirits. They reject the gospel, to their ruin, even to spiritual and eternal death.
(2.)Unto others the gospel is a savour of life unto life. To humble and gracious souls the preaching of the word is most delightful and profitable. As it is sweeter than honey to the taste, so it is more grateful than the most precious odours to the senses, and much more profitable; for as it quickened them at first, when they were dead in trespasses and sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end in eternal life.
2.The awful impressions this matter made upon the mind of the apostle, and should also make upon our spirits: Who is sufficient for these things? Co2 2:16. Tis hikanos - who is worthy to be employed in such weighty work, a work of such vast importance, because of so great consequence? Who is able to perform such a difficult work, that requires so much skill and industry? The work is great and our strength is small; yea, of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our sufficiency is of God. Note, If men did seriously consider what great things depend upon the preaching of the gospel, and how difficult the work of the ministry is, they would be very cautious how they enter upon it, and very careful to perform it well.
3.The comfort which the apostle had under this serious consideration,
(1.)Because faithful ministers shall be accepted of God, whatever their success be: We are, if faithful, unto God a sweet savour of Christ (Co2 2:15), in those who are saved and in those also who perish. God will accept of sincere intentions, and honest endeavours, though with many they are not successful. Ministers shall be accepted, and recompensed, not according to their success, but according to their fidelity. Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, Isa 49:5.
(2.)Because his conscience witnessed to his faithfulness, Co2 2:17. Though many did corrupt the word of God, yet the apostle's conscience witnessed to his fidelity. He did not mix his own notions with the doctrines and institutions of Christ; he durst not add to, nor diminish fRom. the word of God; he was faithful in dispensing the gospel, as he received it from the Lord, and had no secular turn to serve; his aim was to approve himself to God, remembering that his eye was always upon him; he therefore spoke and acted always as in the sight of God, and therefore in sincerity. Note, What we do in religion is not of God, does not come from God, will not reach to God, unless it be done in sincerity, as in the sight of God.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
8 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
And the Saviour Himself washing the feet of the disciples, and despatching them to do good deeds, pointed out their pilgrimage for the benefit of the nations, making them beforehand fair and pure by His power. Then the ointment breathed on them its fragrance, and the work of sweet savour reaching to all was proclaimed; for the passion of the Lord has filled us with sweet fragrance.
For we are to God a sweet savour of the Lord, in them that are saved, and them that are lost; to one a savour of death unto death, to the other a savour of life unto life."
A whole band of soldiers, Ammon and Zeno and Ptolemy and Ingenuus, and with them an old man Theophilus, had taken their stand before the tribunal. When a certain man was being tried as a Christian and was inclined toward denying the faith, they, standing by, gnashed their teeth, and made signs with their faces, and stretched out their hands and gestured with their bodies. When the attention of all was directed toward them, before any could otherwise seize them, they rushed up first to the bench, saying that they were Christians, so that the governor and his assessors became fearful. Those who were being tried appeared most courageous in the face of what they were about to suffer, while their judges were afraid. And these paraded from the court and rejoiced in their testimony, as God “led them in triumph gloriously.”
For God to lead us in triumph in Christ is to make us victors in the faith of Christ, so that when unbelief has been trodden underfoot, faith may have its trophy.
For which cause also he said, "Now thanks be unto God, Which always causeth us to triumph," that is, 'Who maketh us renowned unto all. For what seemeth to be matter of disgrace, being persecuted from every quarter, this appeareth to us to be matter of very great honor.' Wherefore he said not, "Which maketh us seen of all," but, "Which causeth us to triumph:" showing that these persecutions set up a series of trophies against the devil in every part of the world. Then having mentioned along with the author, the subject also of the triumph, he thereby also raiseth up the hearer. 'For not only are we made to triumph by God, but also "in Christ;"' that is, on account of Christ and the Gospel. 'For seeing it behooveth to triumph, all need is that we also who carry the trophy are seen of all, because we bear Him. For this reason we become observed and conspicuous.'
"But thanks be to God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place."
For that he may not seem as though in sorrow to be lamenting these things, he sendeth up thanks to God. Now what he saith is this: 'Every where is trouble, every where straitness. I came into Asia, I was burdened beyond strength. I came to Troas, I found not the brother. I came not to you; this too bred in me no slight, yea rather, exceeding great dejection, both because many among you had sinned, and because on this account I see you not. For, "To spare you," he saith, "I came not as yet unto Corinth." That then he may not seem to be complaining in so speaking, he adds, 'We not only do not grieve in these afflictions, but we even rejoice; and, what is still greater, not for the sake of the rewards to come only, but those too even which are present. For even here we are by these things made glorious and conspicuous. So far then are we from lamenting, that we even call the thing a triumph; and glory in what happeneth.'
"And which maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place."
He said above, "Which always causeth us to triumph." Here he saith "in every place," showing that every place and every time is full of the Apostles' labors. And he uses yet another metaphor, that of the sweet savor. For 'like as those who bear ointment, so are we,' saith he, 'manifest to all'; calling the knowledge a very precious ointment. Moreover, he said not, 'the knowledge;' but "the savor of the knowledge;" for such is the nature of the present knowledge, not very clear nor uncovered. Whence also he said in the former Epistle, "For now we see in a mirror darkly." And here he calls that which is such a "savor." Now he that perceiveth the savor knoweth that there is ointment lying somewhere; but of what nature it is he knows not yet, unless he happens before to have seen it. 'So also we. That God is, we know, but what in substance we know not yet. We are then, as it were, a Royal censer, breathing whithersoever we go of the heavenly ointment and the spiritual sweet savor.'
Now he said this, at once both to set forth the power of the Preaching, in that by the very designs formed against them, they shine more than those who prosecute them and who cause the whole world to know both their trophies and their sweet savor: and to exhort them in regard to their afflictions and trials to bear all nobly, seeing that even before the Recompense they reap this glory inexpressible.
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Summary
The Apostle Paul, transitioning from personal hardship, expresses profound gratitude to God, who consistently leads believers in a triumphant procession through Christ. This divine victory is not merely personal but serves a greater purpose: to manifest the distinctive fragrance of God's knowledge through believers in every place, thereby spreading the gospel's pervasive and impactful aroma to all.
Context
Literary Context
This verse marks a significant shift in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. Immediately preceding 2 Corinthians 2:14, Paul describes his deep anxiety and distress in Troas, where he "had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother" (2 Corinthians 2:13). He then recounts his journey to Macedonia, where, despite external conflicts, God provided comfort (2 Corinthians 7:5-6). Thus, 2 Corinthians 2:14 acts as a powerful doxology, a sudden outburst of praise that transcends his immediate circumstances and reasserts God's sovereign control and triumphant purpose in his ministry, regardless of personal trials. It sets the stage for the profound discussion of ministerial integrity and the nature of the New Covenant in the chapters that follow.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery of "triumph" (Greek: thriambeuō) and "savour" (Greek: osmē) is deeply rooted in the Roman triumphal procession, a highly significant public spectacle in the ancient world. When a Roman general achieved a decisive victory, the Senate would grant him a "triumph," a grand parade through the streets of Rome. The procession included the victorious general, his army, captured enemies, and the spoils of war. Incense was burned along the route, creating a pervasive aroma. For the victorious soldiers and citizens, this fragrance was the "savour of victory," signifying honor, triumph, and celebration. However, for the captives being led to execution, the same aroma was the "savour of death," a grim harbinger of their impending doom. Paul masterfully employs this well-known cultural phenomenon to illustrate the dual impact of the gospel message, which brings life to those who believe and judgment to those who reject it, as further elaborated in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.
Key Themes
2 Corinthians 2:14 contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout 2 Corinthians. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Power, emphasizing that God, not human effort, is the ultimate source of triumph in ministry and life. This aligns with Paul's consistent message that his sufficiency comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5). Secondly, it introduces the theme of The Gospel's Pervasive Impact, using the sensory imagery of an "aroma" to convey how the knowledge of Christ spreads universally through believers. This foreshadows the discussion of the New Covenant ministry, which is characterized by the Spirit and brings life (2 Corinthians 3:6-8). Lastly, it touches on Paul's Apostolic Authority and Integrity, as he defends his ministry against critics by demonstrating that God is working through him, making manifest His knowledge "by us in every place," thereby validating his calling and the authenticity of the message he preaches, even amidst suffering, which he discusses extensively in 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Meaning "to make an acclamatory procession, i.e. (figuratively) to conquer or (by Hebraism) to give victory." This word directly evokes the imagery of a Roman general leading a triumphal parade, emphasizing a public, decisive, and celebrated victory. It highlights that believers are not merely victorious, but are actively led by God in His victorious procession, participating in His conquest.
Meaning "fragrance (literally or figuratively)." This term refers to an aroma or scent. In the context of the Roman triumph, it refers to the incense burned along the route. Paul uses this sensory image to describe the pervasive and inescapable influence of the knowledge of Christ, which, like a scent, spreads everywhere and has a distinct impact on those who encounter it.
Meaning "knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge." This refers to the understanding and apprehension of God's truth, particularly as revealed in Christ. It is not merely intellectual information but a transformative, relational understanding of God and His redemptive plan, which believers are called to make manifest.
Verse Breakdown
"Now thanks be unto God"
Paul begins with an immediate and fervent expression of gratitude, shifting from his personal anxieties to a doxology. This highlights his deep theological conviction that all good things, and particularly triumph in ministry, originate from God. It sets a tone of worship and dependence on divine grace.
"which always causeth us to triumph in Christ"
This clause reveals the source and sphere of the believer's victory. God is the active agent ("causeth"), and the triumph is continuous ("always"). Crucially, this triumph is "in Christ," signifying that it is not achieved by human effort but is a participation in Christ's own decisive victory over sin, death, and spiritual powers. Believers are not just victorious, but are led by God in Christ's triumph, much like captives in a Roman procession, but here, paradoxically, they are also part of the victorious parade.
"and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."
God's purpose in leading believers to triumph is to make His knowledge known. The "savour" (aroma) of His knowledge is made "manifest" (made apparent, revealed) through believers ("by us"). This implies that believers, through their lives, words, and ministry, are the instruments through which the distinctive, pervasive, and impactful truth of God in Christ is spread throughout the world ("in every place"). This aroma has a dual effect, bringing life to some and death to others, as elaborated in the subsequent verses.
Literary Devices
The verse is rich in Metaphor and Imagery, primarily drawing from the Roman triumphal procession. Paul casts God as the victorious General leading His people, the believers, in a triumphal parade. The believers are simultaneously the "conquered" (in the sense of being Christ's captives, bought with a price) and the participants in the victory, displaying the spoils of God's grace. The central image is the olfactory imagery of "the savour of his knowledge," comparing the pervasive influence of the gospel to the burning incense in a Roman triumph. This aroma is not just a pleasant scent but a powerful, inescapable presence that permeates "every place," signifying the universal reach and impact of God's work through His people. This vivid imagery effectively conveys the public, undeniable, and far-reaching nature of God's work through His people.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse profoundly articulates the Christian's identity and mission as participants in God's ongoing triumph through Christ. It underscores that our victories, whether over sin, temptation, or external opposition, are not self-generated but are divinely orchestrated, rooting our assurance in God's unfailing power and Christ's accomplished work. Furthermore, it defines the believer's purpose as being a conduit for the manifestation of God's knowledge, implying that our very lives, empowered by God, become a fragrant witness to His truth and character in the world. This truth transforms us into living epistles, read by all, radiating the essence of Christ wherever we go.
Reflection and Application
2 Corinthians 2:14 offers profound encouragement and a clear sense of purpose for believers today. It reminds us that even in seasons of personal struggle, anxiety, or apparent defeat, God is actively leading us in triumph through Christ. Our effectiveness in ministry and witness is not dependent on our strength or circumstances, but on God's consistent work through us. This perspective frees us from the burden of self-reliance and empowers us to live with confidence, knowing that our lives are meant to be a constant, pervasive witness to the knowledge of God. Every interaction, every place we inhabit, becomes an opportunity for the "fragrance" of Christ to be made manifest. This means that our character, our words, our actions, and our very presence should emanate the truth and grace of God, drawing others to Him and revealing His nature.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean that God "always causeth us to triumph in Christ"?
This phrase uses the imagery of a Roman triumphal procession. It means that God is the one who consistently leads believers in a victorious parade, not just to victory, but in victory, as participants in Christ's own decisive triumph over sin, death, and spiritual forces. It signifies that our victory is not achieved by our own power but is a gift and an ongoing work of God through our union with Christ. Even amidst difficulties, God ensures that the ultimate outcome for believers in Christ is triumph, not defeat. This is a theological assurance that our standing in Christ guarantees ultimate victory, even if individual battles are tough.
How do believers "make manifest the savour of his knowledge"?
Believers make manifest the "savour" (aroma or fragrance) of God's knowledge by living lives that embody and proclaim the truth of the gospel. Just as incense in a Roman triumph permeated the air, so the presence and message of Christ's followers are meant to spread the distinctive "aroma" of God's character, salvation, and truth wherever they go. This happens through our words, our actions, our love, our integrity, and our very identity in Christ. Our lives become a living testimony, a spiritual fragrance that reveals God's knowledge to a world in need, as Paul further explains in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 where this aroma is experienced differently by those who are perishing and those who are being saved.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
2 Corinthians 2:14 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is precisely in Christ that believers are caused to triumph, for He is the victorious General who has already triumphed over sin, death, and the powers of darkness through His crucifixion and resurrection (Colossians 2:15). Our participation in this triumph is not earned but is a gracious gift, a result of our union with Him by faith (Romans 8:37). Furthermore, the "savour of his knowledge" that is made manifest through us is none other than the knowledge of Christ Himself—His person, His redemptive work, and His saving truth. He is the very embodiment of God's wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). Thus, as believers live out their calling, they are not merely spreading abstract information, but are radiating the very presence and character of the resurrected Christ, making Him known "in every place" as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and the Lord of glory who has conquered all (1 Corinthians 2:8).