2 Corinthians 2:15

For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: The Greek order is, 'For (it is) of Christ (that) we are a sweet savour unto God:' the "for" justifies his previous (), "the savour of HIS (Christ's) knowledge." We not only scatter, but 'we are the sweet savour' (: cf. , which suggests that the image in "savour" here is not that of incense, but of Christ's sacrifice. God accepts () my Gospel service in making it known, whether I convince men through His grace or fail through my hearers' fault. IN THEM THAT ARE SAVED - rather (not referring to two unalterable states, but to men's...

15._A sweet odor of Christ _The metaphor which he had applied to the knowledge of Christ, he now transfers to the persons of the Apostles, but it is for the same reason. For as they are called the _light of the world, _(Matthew 5:14,) because they enlighten men by holding forth the torch of the gospel, and not as if they shone forth upon them with their own lustre; so they have the name of _odor, _not as if they emitted any fragrance of themselves, but because the doctrine which they bring is odoriferous, so that it can imbue the whole world with its delectable fragrance. (344) It is certain, however, that this commendation is applicable to all the ministers of the gospel, because wherever there is a pure and unvarnished proclamation of the gospel, there will be found _there _the influence of that _odor, _of which Paul here speaks

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 gospel is a savour of life unto life: 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. Observe the awful impressions this matter made upon the apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our sufficiency is of God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity, as in the sight of God, is n...

Verse 15. _FOR WE ARE UNTO GOD A SWEET SAVOUR 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 a _sweet savour to God_-we have fulfilled his will in faithfully proclaiming the Gospel, and fighting against sin. And as he has determined that those who _believe_ shall be _saved_, and those who _believe not_ shall _perish,_ we are equally acceptable to him though we unsuccessfully preach the Gospel to some who obstinately reject it, and so _perish_, as we are in preaching to others who believe, and are _saved_....

FOR 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, that his well-meant endeavors, and labors, and self-denials in preaching the gospel, were acceptable to God. The measure of God’s approbation in the case was not his success, but his fidelity, his zeal, his self-denial, whatever might be the reception of the gospel among those who heard it. A SWEET SAVOR - Like the smell of pleasant incense, or of grateful aromatics, such as were burned in the triumphal processions of returning conquerors...

EXPOSITION Continuation of his reasons for not coming to them direct from Ephesus (2 Corinthians 2:1). Their treatment of the incestuous offender (2 Corinthians 2:5). His thankfulness at the news which Titus had brought from Corinth (verses 12-17). 2 CORINTHIANS 2:1 BUT I DETERMINED THIS. The division of chapters is here unfortunate, since this and the next three verses belong to the paragraph which began at 2 Corinthians 1:23. The verb means, literally, "I judged," but is rightly rendered "determined," as in...

FOR WE ARE UNTO GOD A SWEET SAVOUR,.... Here a reason is given, why the savour of the knowledge of God in Christ is made manifest by the ministers of the Gospel, because they themselves are a sweet savour; not that they are so in themselves, for they have the same corrupt hearts and natures, and complain of them as other men; but as having the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, comparable to fragrant and sweet smelling ointments, Song of Solomon 1:3, by which they are enabled to preach the savoury doctrines of the Gospel, and to adorn and recommend them by their exemplary lives and conversations: the allusion is to Aaron and the priests under the law, who were anointed with the anointing oil, which was poured upon their heads, ran down upon their beards, and descended to the skirts of their garments, so that they were all over a perfume, a sweet smell and savour; and so are t

SAVED (_ See Scofield) - (Romans 1:16). _...

3. HIS DEEP EXERCISE CONCERNING THEM. YET OVERCOMING. CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The Burden of his Soul. (2 Corinthians 2:1 .)_ 2. Concerning the Brother who had been Disciplined. (2 Corinthians 2:5 .) 3. Overcoming. (2 Corinthians 2:12 .) In the previous chapter we read the reason why he had not gone to Corinth. “To spare you I came not to Corinth “ (2 Corinthians 1:23). He feared, that on account of their deplorable condition; exercising his God-given apostolic authority, he might appear as dominating over them. He had determined that he would not come again to them wi

This will complete the joyful reconciliation already accomplished. Paul had found himself at Troas, restless and uneasy till he heard the result of his letter to Corinth. Even the great opportunity for preaching which he had found there could neither satisfy nor detain him. He had crossed to Europe and was already in Macedonia when at last Titus arrived, bringing better news than he had dared to hope (see further, 2 Corinthians 7:5). At the recollection of that moment of unspeakable relief he breaks out into a rhapsody of thanksgiving. God is advancing like a mighty conqueror in his Triumph. The apostles of Christ are swept along in the triumphal procession. And the incense belonging to such a procession is not wanting. It is found in that knowledge of God which rises from every place as a result of their labour. Then, by a changed application of the same figure, he represents God's mess...