2 Corinthians 2:16

To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? THE SAVOUR OF [ ek (G1537 ), FROM] DEATH UNTO DEATH ... OF, [ ek (G1537), from: 'Aleph (') A B C. Delta G f g, Vulgate, omit it, as Received Text, in both places] LIFE UNTO LIFE - an odour arising out of death (an announcement of a dead Christ, and a virtually lifeless Gospel, as unbelievers regard our message), ending (as the just and natural consequence) in death (to the unbelievers); (but to the believer) an odour arising out of life (i:e., the announcement of a risen and living Saviour), ending in life (to the believer) ...

16._And who is sufficient for these things? _This exclamation is thought by some (349) to be introduced by way of guarding against arrogance, for he confesses, that to discharge the office of a good Apostle (350) to Christ is a thing that exceeds all human power, and thus he ascribes the praise to God. Others think, that he takes notice of the small number of good ministers. I am of opinion, that there is an implied contrast that is shortly afterwards expressed. “Profession, it is true, is common, and many confidently boast; but to have the reality, is indicative of a rare and distinguished excellence. (351) I claim nothing for myself, but what will be discovered to be in me, if trial is made.” Accordingly, as those, who hold in common the office of instructor, claim to themselves indiscriminately the title, Paul, by claiming to himself a p

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 16. _TO THE ONE_ WE ARE _THE SAVOUR OF DEATH UNTO DEATH_] There are several sayings among the ancient Jewish writers similar to this. In _Debarim Rabba_, sec. i. fol. 248, it is said: "As the bee brings home honey to its owner, but stings others; so it is with the words of the law;" : סם חיים לישראל _sam chaiyim leyisrael_, "They are a savour of lives to the Israelites:" וסם המות לאומות העולם _vesam hammaveth leomoth haolam_, "And a savour of death to the people of this world." The learned reader may see much more to this effect in _Schoettgen_. The apostle's meaning is plain: those who believe and receive the Gospel are saved; those who reject it, perish. The meaning of the rabbins is not less plain: the _Israelites_ received the law and the prophets as from God, and thus possessed the _means of salvation_; the _Gentiles_ ridiculed and despised them, and thus continued in the pat...

TO THE ONE - To those who perish. WE ARE THE SAVOUR OF DEATH UNTO DEATH - We are the occasion of deepening their condemnation, and of sinking them lower into ruin. The expression used here means literally, “to the one class we bear a death-conveying odor leading to their death” - a savor, a smell which, under the circumstances, is destructive to life, and which leads to death. Mr. Locke renders this: “To the one my preaching is of ill savor, unacceptable and offensive, by their rejecting whereof they draw death on themselves.” Grateful as their labors were to God, and acceptable as would be their efforts, whatever might be the results, yet Paul could not be ignorant that the gospel would in fact be the means of greater condemnation to many; see the notes on 2 Corinthians 2:15. It was indeed by their own faul

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...

TO THE ONE WE ARE THE SAVOUR OF DEATH UNTO DEATH,.... Who are for death, or appointed to it; see Jeremiah 43:11. What the apostle says of the Gospel, and Gospel ministers, the Jews his countrymen used frequently to say of the law, and to which he seems to refer; "saith Rabba f, to them that go on the right hand of it, (the law,) it is סמא דחיי, "the savour of life"; but to them that go on the left hand of it, it is סמא דמותא, "the savour of death".'' Again g, "everyone that studies in the law for the sake of it, to him it becomes סם חיים, "the savour of life", according to Proverbs 3:18, but everyone that studies in the law, not for the sake of it, to him it becomes סם המות, "the savour of death";'' once more h, "if a man is worthy or rig

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...

WHEN A SAINT REBUKES (2 Corinthians 1:23-24 ; 2 Corinthians 2:1-4)...