2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

◄ 2 Corinthians 2:15 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

English Standard Version
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

New American Standard Bible
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

King James Bible
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

International Standard Version
To God we are the aroma of the Messiah among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost.

American Standard Version
For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish;

Douay-Rheims Bible
For we are the good odour of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.

Darby Bible Translation
For we are a sweet odour of Christ to God, in the saved and in those that perish:

Young's Literal Translation
because of Christ a sweet fragrance we are to God, in those being saved, and in those being lost;

Cross References

Numbers 15:3
And will make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet smell to the LORD, of the herd or of the flock:

Song of Solomon 1:3
Because of the smell of your good ointments your name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love you.

Ezekiel 20:41
I will accept you with your sweet smell, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein you have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God.

2 Corinthians 4:3
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling smell.

Philippians 4:18
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

2:12-17 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 not of God, does not come from him, and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in this matter; and seek the testimony of our consciences, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that as of sincerity, so speak we in Christ and of Christ.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

15. 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; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 2:27).

in them that are saved—rather, "that are being saved … that are perishing" (see on [2307]1Co 1:18). As the light, though it blinds in darkness the weak, is for all that still light; and honey, though it taste bitter to the sick, is in itself still sweet; so the Gospel is still of a sweet savor, though many perish through unbelief [Chrysostom, Homilies, 5.467], (2Co 4:3, 4, 6). As some of the conquered foes led in triumph were put to death when the procession reached the capitol, and to them the smell of the incense was the "savor of death unto death," while to those saved alive, it was the "savor of life," so the Gospel was to the different classes respectively.

and in them—in the case of them. "Those being saved" (2Co 3:1-4:2): "Those that are perishing" (2Co 4:3-5).