TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2 verses 12–17
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.
For the apostle does also say in the Second [Epistle] to the Corinthians: "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them which are saved, and in them which perish: to the one indeed the savour of death unto death, but to the other the savour of life unto life." To whom, then, is there the savour of death unto death, unless to those who believe not neither are subject to the Word of God? And who are they that did even then give themselves over to death? Those men, doubtless, who do not believe, nor submit themselves to God. And again, who are they that have been saved and received the inheritance? Those, doubtless, who do believe God, and who have continued in His love; as did Caleb [the son] of Jephunneh and Joshua [the son] of Nun, and innocent children, who have had no sense of evil. But who are they that are saved now, and receive life eternal? Is it not those who love God, and who believe His promises, and who "in malice have become as little children?"
Put an altar of incense in your innermost heart. Be a sweet aroma of Christ.
For, as the apostle says, “We are a good aroma of Christ,” but he adds, “To some a fragrance of life to life, but to others an odor of death to death.” So also the prophetic word is “a sweet fragrance” to those who believe, but to the doubting and unbelieving and those who confess that they are Pharaoh’s people, it becomes a detestable odor.
The aroma of the knowledge of God comes from Christ and through Christ. The reason why Paul said “aroma” was this: Some things are recognized by their smell, even though they are invisible. God, who is invisible, wishes to be understood through Christ. The preaching of Christ reaches our ears just as an aroma reaches our nostrils, bringing God and his only begotten Son right into the midst of his creation. A person who speaks the truth about Christ is just such a good aroma from God, worthy of praise from the one who believes. But one who makes erroneous assertions about Christ has a bad smell to believers and unbelievers alike.
The expression also, "sweet savor of Christ," appears to me to admit of a double interpretation: for he means either that in dying they offered themselves a sacrifice: or that they were a sweet savor of the death of Christ, as if one should say, this incense is a sweet savor of this victim. The expression then, sweet savor, either signifieth this, or, as I first said, that they are daily sacrificed for Christ's sake.
Since both the sun, for this reason most especially that he is exceeding bright, doth wound the eyes of the weak: and the Saviour is "for the fall and rising again of many," but still He continueth to be a Saviour, though ten thousand fall; and His coming brought a sorer punishment upon them that believe not, but still it continueth to be full of healing. Whence also he saith, "We are unto God a sweet savor;" that is, 'even though some be lost we continue to be that which we are.' Moreover he said not simply "a sweet savor," but "unto God." And when we are a sweet savor unto God, and He decreeth these things, who shall henceforth gainsay?
"For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved and in them that perish."
Whether, saith he, one be saved or be lost, the Gospel continues to have its proper virtue: and as the light, although it blindeth the weakly, is still light, though causing blindness; and as honey, though it be bitter to those who are diseased, is in its nature sweet; so also is the Gospel of sweet savor, even though some should be lost who believe it not. For not It, but their own perverseness, worketh the perdition. And by this most of all is its sweet savor manifested, by which the corrupt and vicious perish; so that not only by the salvation of the good, but also by the perdition of the wicked is its excellence declared.
Paul calls the knowledge of God an aroma. Its presence is sensed rather than seen.
Why, then, if the law is good, is it called a “ministry of death”? Because “sin, that it might be shown to be sin, worked death for me through that which is good.” Do not marvel when it is said of the preaching of the gospel, “We are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in them that are being saved and in them who perish, to the one an aroma of life to life, to the other an aroma of death to death.” Now the law is called a “ministry of death” to the Jews, for whom it was written on stone, to symbolize their hardness of heart. But this does not apply to those who fulfill the law in charity. For charity is the fulfillment of the law.
In a mystical sense, that woman represented us, us, if we return to the Lord with our whole heart after our sins, if we imitate her mourning of penitence. For what is expressed by the ointment except the fragrance of good reputation? Hence Paul also says: "We are the good fragrance of Christ to God in every place." If therefore we do right works by which we spread the fragrance of good reputation upon the Church, what do we pour upon the Lord's body but ointment?
Continue studying 2 Corinthians 2:15 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
In 2 Corinthians 2:15, the Apostle Paul declares that he and his fellow ministers, and by extension all believers, are a "sweet savour of Christ" to God. This powerful metaphor, building on the imagery of a Roman triumphal procession, reveals the profound and dual impact of the gospel message: it is a life-giving aroma to those who are being saved, yet a scent of judgment and death to those who are perishing, with both outcomes ultimately pleasing and acceptable to God.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in 2 Corinthians 2:15. The most prominent is Metaphor, where believers are described as a "sweet savour of Christ." This extends the Analogy of the Roman triumphal procession from the preceding verse, transforming the physical incense into a spiritual fragrance that emanates from Christ through His followers. This metaphor is rich with Old Testament sacrificial imagery, where a "pleasing aroma" signified an acceptable offering to God. Furthermore, Paul uses stark Antithesis or Contrast by presenting the two opposing effects of this single aroma: it leads to salvation "in them that are saved" and to perishing "in them that perish." This dramatic contrast highlights the profound and decisive nature of the gospel's impact, demonstrating that the message of Christ is never neutral in its effect on humanity. The Paradox lies in the fact that the same "sweet savour" can have such diametrically opposed outcomes, yet both are ultimately "unto God," fulfilling His divine purpose.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The concept of a "sweet savour" (or "pleasing aroma") is deeply rooted in Old Testament theology, where it consistently refers to sacrifices and offerings that were acceptable and delightful to God (e.g., Noah's sacrifice in Genesis 8:21, or the burnt offerings in Leviticus 1:9). This background elevates the believer's life and ministry to the status of a spiritual offering, made acceptable not by their own merit, but by being "of Christ." This verse therefore underscores the profound truth that our existence and witness, empowered by the Spirit, are a perpetual act of worship, pleasing to God regardless of human response. It also emphasizes God's sovereignty over both salvation and judgment, as the gospel's dual effect ultimately serves His divine purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Corinthians 2:15 profoundly shapes our understanding of Christian identity and mission. It reminds us that our lives, infused with the presence of Christ, are not passive or neutral; they actively emit a spiritual fragrance that has eternal consequences. This calls us to a life of intentional discipleship, where our character, words, and actions consistently reflect the beauty and truth of Christ. We are to be living epistles, diffusing the knowledge of Him everywhere we go. While the dual impact of the gospel can be sobering—knowing that our very presence might solidify some in their rejection—our primary focus remains on being faithful to God. Our ultimate validation comes from Him, not from the responses of others. This truth frees us from the burden of human approval and empowers us to faithfully represent Christ, trusting God with the outcome, knowing that our faithfulness itself is a "sweet savour" to Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How can the "sweet savour of Christ" be pleasing to God even in "them that perish"?
Answer: The "sweet savour of Christ" is always inherently pleasing to God because it is the fragrance of His beloved Son, representing His truth, holiness, and redemptive plan. The "sweetness" is in the aroma itself, which is Christ. The dual effect described in 2 Corinthians 2:15 and 2 Corinthians 2:16 does not mean the aroma changes its nature, but rather that it elicits different responses and outcomes depending on the spiritual state of the hearer. For those who reject Christ, the very presence of this divine truth serves as a witness that confirms their condemnation. God is glorified not only in salvation but also in righteous judgment, demonstrating His justice and sovereignty. Therefore, even in the judgment of those who perish, God's purposes are fulfilled, and His character is upheld, making the outcome, from His perspective, acceptable and just.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Corinthians 2:15 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the source and substance of this "sweet savour." He is the perfect sacrifice, whose life, death, and resurrection constitute the ultimate "sweet-smelling offering" to God, as beautifully articulated in Ephesians 5:2. Believers become this aroma because they are "in Christ," united with Him, and indwelt by His Spirit. Our ability to diffuse this fragrance is not from our own merit but from our participation in His triumph. Jesus Himself declared that He came to bring division, separating those who embrace Him from those who reject Him (Luke 12:51). Thus, the dual impact of the aroma—life to the saved and death to the perishing—is a direct outworking of Christ's mission and the inherent nature of His truth, which always demands a response. He is the light that reveals both salvation and condemnation (John 3:19), and believers, as His body, extend this reality into the world, participating in His ongoing work of drawing some to life and revealing the judgment of others.