◄ 2 Corinthians 2:16 ►
To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?
Study Bible
To the one
This phrase introduces a dichotomy, a common rhetorical device used by Paul to contrast two groups or outcomes. In the context of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the differing responses to the message of the Gospel. The Greek word "ἑνί" (heni) implies a singular focus, indicating that the message of Christ is perceived differently by distinct groups of people.

an odor of death and demise
The imagery of "odor" or "fragrance" is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the time, where incense and sacrifices were common. The Greek word "ὀσμή" (osmē) refers to a smell or scent, which in this context is associated with death. This reflects the reaction of those who reject the Gospel, perceiving it as a message of judgment and condemnation. Historically, the idea of death as an "odor" can be linked to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where the smell of burning offerings was both a literal and symbolic representation of sin and atonement.

to the other
This phrase shifts the focus to a contrasting group, those who accept the Gospel. The Greek "ἑτέρῳ" (heterō) signifies another of a different kind, emphasizing the stark difference in perception and reception of the Gospel message.

a fragrance that brings life
Here, the "fragrance" is a positive and life-giving aroma. The Greek "ζωῆς" (zōēs) for "life" underscores the transformative power of the Gospel for believers. This imagery is reminiscent of the "sweet-smelling aroma" of sacrifices that were pleasing to God, as seen in the Old Testament. For believers, the Gospel is not just a message but a source of eternal life, echoing the resurrection power of Christ.

And who is qualified for such a task?
This rhetorical question highlights the gravity and responsibility of spreading the Gospel. The Greek "ἱκανός" (hikanos) for "qualified" suggests sufficiency or competence. Paul is acknowledging the immense challenge and divine calling required to be a messenger of such a powerful and divisive message. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding of ministry as a divine vocation, requiring God's empowerment and guidance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 2 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth. He is discussing the nature of the gospel message and its varying effects on different people.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and cultural influences. The church in Corinth faced many challenges, including divisions and moral issues.

3. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, a group of believers struggling with internal and external pressures.

4. The Gospel Message
The central theme of Paul's letters, representing the good news of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.

5. The Aroma Metaphor
Paul uses the metaphor of aroma to describe the impact of the gospel, drawing from cultural practices of triumphal processions where incense was burned.
Teaching Points
The Dual Nature of the Gospel
The gospel has a dual effect: it is life-giving to those who believe and a reminder of judgment to those who reject it. This duality should encourage believers to share the gospel boldly, knowing it will have different impacts.

The Role of Believers as Fragrance Bearers
Christians are called to be the aroma of Christ in the world. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of the gospel, attracting those who are being saved.

The Challenge of Gospel Ministry
Paul asks, "And who is qualified for such a task?" This rhetorical question highlights the gravity and responsibility of sharing the gospel. Believers must rely on God's strength and wisdom.

Perseverance in Witnessing
Understanding that the gospel will be received differently should encourage perseverance in witnessing. Our role is to faithfully present the message, trusting God with the results.

Living as a Testimony
Our lives should be a testimony to the life-giving power of the gospel. This involves living in a way that reflects Christ's love and truth, serving as a fragrant offering to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the dual nature of the gospel as both an "odor of death" and a "fragrance that brings life" affect your approach to sharing your faith?

2. In what ways can you be a "fragrance of Christ" in your daily interactions with others?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt unqualified to share the gospel. How can Paul's rhetorical question about qualification encourage you?

4. How do the connections to other scriptures, such as Ephesians 5:2 and Romans 1:16, deepen your understanding of 2 Corinthians 2:16?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your life is a testimony to the life-giving power of the gospel?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Paul discusses the veiling of the gospel to those who are perishing, similar to the "odor of death" mentioned in 2:16.

Ephesians 5:2
Paul speaks of Christ's sacrificial love as a "fragrant offering," connecting to the idea of the gospel as a fragrance.

1 Corinthians 1:18
The message of the cross is described as foolishness to those who are perishing, paralleling the "odor of death."

Romans 1:16
Paul declares the gospel as the power of God for salvation, aligning with the "fragrance that brings life."
Sermons
Who is Sufficient?J.R. Thomson 2 Corinthians 2:16
Coming to Troas; Disquietude; Defence of His ApostleshipC. Lipscomb 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
The Effect of the Gospel MinistryT. Moir, M. A.2 Corinthians 2:12-17
God's Triumph and Paul'sJ. Denney, B. D.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Gratitude PresentedT. B. Baker.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Course of TruthF. W. Brown.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Minister's ManifestoA. J. Parry.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Ministry of the GospelW. Pulsford, D. D.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Savour of Divine KnowledgeJ. Denney, B. D.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Solemnity of the MinistryJ.R. Thomson 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Triumph of the Christian MinisterD. Wilson, M. A.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Triumph of the GospelR. Watson.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Triumph of the GospelD. Moore, M. A.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Triumphal Procession of the ChristA. Maclaren, D. D.2 Corinthians 2:14-16
The Constant Triumph of the Faithful MinisterE. Hurndall 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Difficulties of the Pastoral OfficeR. Erskine, D. D.2 Corinthians 2:15-16
Dissimilar Effects of the Same ThingScientific Illustrations and Symbols2 Corinthians 2:15-16
God Glorified in the Preaching of the GospelH. Melvill, B. D.2 Corinthians 2:15-16
Gospel a Savour to God in Them that PerishT. G. Selby.2 Corinthians 2:15-16
Savour of Death or of LifeJames Aitken.2 Corinthians 2:15-16
The Fragrance of Christian LifeR. Johnstone, LL. B.2 Corinthians 2:15-16
The Gospel MinistryD. Thomas, D. D.2 Corinthians 2:15-16
The Opposite Effects of the Ministry of the GospelW. Chambers, D. D.2 Corinthians 2:15-16
The Two Effects of the GospelC. H. Spurgeon.2 Corinthians 2:15-16
The Twofold Issues of a Preached GospelR. Tuck 2 Corinthians 2:15, 16
Who is Sufficient for These ThingsDean Vaughan.2 Corinthians 2:15-16
People
Corinthians, Paul, Titus
Places
Achaia, Corinth, Macedonia, Troas
Topics
Adequate, Aroma, Competent, Death, Equal, Fragrance, Indeed, Last-named, Odor, Odour, Perfume, Predictive, Savor, Savour, Service, Stench, Sufficient, Sweet, Task
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Corinthians 2:14-16

     4496   perfume
     5183   smell

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

     5109   Paul, apostle

Library
The Triumphal Procession
'Thanks be unto God, which always leadeth us in triumph in Christ and maketh manifest through us the savour of His knowledge in every place.'--2 COR. ii. 14 (R.V.) I suppose most of us have some knowledge of what a Roman Triumph was, and can picture to ourselves the long procession, the victorious general in his chariot with its white horses, the laurelled soldiers, the sullen captives, with suppressed hate flashing in their sunken eyes, the wreathing clouds of incense that went up into the blue …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Two Effects of the Gospel
And, my brethren, how sweet is that consolation which Paul applied to his own heart amid all his troubles. "Notwithstanding all," he says, "God makes known the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." Ah! with this thought a minister may lay his head upon his pillow: "God makes manifest the savour of his knowledge." With this he may shut his eyes when his career is over, and with this he may open them in heaven: "God hath made known by me the savour of his knowledge in every place," Then follow …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Since These Things are So, Because it were Too Long to Treat Thoroughly Of...
35. Since these things are so, because it were too long to treat thoroughly of all that in that "Pound" [2458] of Dictinius are set down as precedents of lying, meet to be imitated, it seemeth to me that this is the rule to which not only these, but whatever such there be, must be reduced. Namely, either what is believed to be a lie must be shown not to be such; whether it be where a truth is left untold, and yet no falsehood told; or where a true signification willeth one thing to be understood …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying," &c. The cunning of Satan, and the deceitfulness of our own hearts, are such that when a grosser temptation will not prevail with conscience in some measure enlightened, then they transform themselves into angels of light, and deal more subtilely with us. And there is no greater subtilty of Satan, nor no stronger self deceit, than this, to palliate and cover vices with the shadow of virtue, and to present corruptions under the similitude of graces. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

There Resulteth Then from all These this Sentence...
41. There resulteth then from all these this sentence, that a lie which doth not violate the doctrine of piety, nor piety itself, nor innocence, nor benevolence, may on behalf of pudicity of body be admitted. And yet if any man should propose to himself so to love truth, not only that which consists in contemplation, but also in uttering the true thing, which each in its own kind of things is true, and no otherwise to bring forth with the mouth of the body his thought than in the mind it is conceived …
St. Augustine—On Lying

On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity.
THE investigation of that important and extensive subject which includes what have been usually designated as The Evidences of Revelation,' has prescriptively occupied a considerable space in the field of theological literature, especially as cultivated in England. There is scarcely one, perhaps, of our more eminent divines who has not in a greater or less degree distinguished himself in this department, and scarcely an aspirant for theological distinction who has not thought it one of the surest …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Of the Matters to be Considered in the Councils.
Let us now consider the matters which should be treated in the councils, and with which popes, cardinals, bishops, and all learned men should occupy themselves day and night, if they loved Christ and His Church. But if they do not do so, the people at large and the temporal powers must do so, without considering the thunders of their excommunications. For an unjust excommunication is better than ten just absolutions, and an unjust absolution is worse than ten just excommunications. Therefore let …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Epistle xxxv. To Leontius, Ex-Consul.
To Leontius, Ex-Consul. Gregory to Leontius, &c. Since in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some indeed to honour but some to dishonour (2 Tim. ii. 20), who can be ignorant that in the bosom of the Universal Church some as vessels of dishonour are deputed to the lowest uses, but others, as vessels of honour, are fitted for clean uses. And yet it commonly comes to pass that the citizens of Babylon serve in task-work for Jerusalem, while …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Preparatory Service; Sometimes Called the Confessional Service.
In our examination of the nature and meaning of the Lord's Supper, we have found that it is indeed a most important and holy Sacrament. It is in fact the most sacred of all the ordinances of the Church on earth. There is nothing beyond it--nothing so heavenly, on this side heaven, as this Feast. Nowhere else does the believer approach so near to heaven as when he stands or kneels, as a communicant at this altar, the Holy of Holies in the Church of Christ. What a solemn act! To approach this altar, …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
Having already presented to your view the dark side of the text, I shall now show you the light side, They shall be comforted'. Where observe: 1 Mourning goes before comfort as the lancing of a wound precedes the cure. The Antinomian talks of comfort, but cries down mourning for sin. He is like a foolish patient who, having a pill prescribed him, licks the sugar but throws away the pill. The libertine is all for joy and comfort. He licks the sugar but throws away the bitter pill of repentance. If …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Letter Xlv (Circa A. D. 1120) to a Youth Named Fulk, who Afterwards was Archdeacon of Langres
To a Youth Named Fulk, Who Afterwards Was Archdeacon of Langres He gravely warns Fulk, a Canon Regular, whom an uncle had by persuasions and promises drawn back to the world, to obey God and be faithful to Him rather than to his uncle. To the honourable young man Fulk, Brother Bernard, a sinner, wishes such joy in youth as in old age he will not regret. 1. I do not wonder at your surprise; I should wonder if you were not suprised [sic] that I should write to you, a countryman to a citizen, a monk …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
by John Bunyan, Licensed and entered according to order. London: Printed for, and sold by, R. Tookey, at his Printing House in St. Christopher's Court, in Threadneedle Street, behind the Royal Exchange, 1701. Advertisement by the Editor. Some degree of mystery hangs over these Divine Emblems for children, and many years' diligent researches have not enabled me completely to solve it. That they were written by Bunyan, there cannot be the slightest doubt. 'Manner and matter, too, are all his own.'[1] …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Things Pertaining to the Kingdom.
"Now is there solemn pause in earth and heaven; The Conqueror now His bonds hath riven, And Angels wonder why He stays below; Yet hath not man his lesson learned, How endless love should be returned." Hitherto our thoughts about "The Kingdom of Heaven" have been founded on the teaching of the King respecting His Kingdom recorded in the Gospels. But we must not forget to give attention to the very important time in the life of our Lord extending between His Resurrection and Ascension, during which …
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Elucidations.
I. (Such as have lapsed, cap. vii. p. 660.) The penitential system of the Primitive days, referred to in our author, began to be changed when less public confessions were authorized, on account of the scandals which publicity generated. Changes were as follows: 1. A grave presbyter was appointed to receive and examine voluntary penitents as the Penitentiary of a diocese, and to suspend or reconcile them with due solemnities--circa a.d. 250. 2. This plan also became encumbered with difficulties and …
Tertullian—On Repentance

Letter cxx. To Hedibia.
At the request of Hedibia, a lady of Gaul much interested in the study of scripture, Jerome deals with the following twelve questions. It will be noticed that several of them belong to the historical criticism of our own day. (1) How can anyone be perfect? and How ought a widow without children to live to God? (2) What is the meaning of Matt. xxvi. 29? (3) How are the discrepancies in the evangelical narratives to be accounted for? How can Matt. xxviii. 1 be reconciled with Mark xvi. 1, 2. (4) How …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

And for Your Fearlessness against them Hold this Sure Sign -- Whenever There Is...
43. And for your fearlessness against them hold this sure sign--whenever there is any apparition, be not prostrate with fear, but whatsoever it be, first boldly ask, Who art thou? And from whence comest thou? And if it should be a vision of holy ones they will assure you, and change your fear into joy. But if the vision should be from the devil, immediately it becomes feeble, beholding your firm purpose of mind. For merely to ask, Who art thou [1083] ? and whence comest thou? is a proof of coolness. …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

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