2 Corinthians 2:15 - Triumph in Christ (2024)

Audio Crossref Comment Greek

Verse (Click for Chapter)

New International Version
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.New Living Translation
Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by 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,Berean Standard Bible
For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.Berean Literal Bible
For we are a sweet perfume of Christ to God in those being saved and in those perishing:King James Bible
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:New King James Version
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ 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:NASB 1995
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;NASB 1977
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;Legacy Standard Bible
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;Amplified Bible
For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;Christian Standard Bible
For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.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.American Standard Version
For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish;English Revised Version
For we are a sweet savour of Christ unto God, in them that are being saved, and in them that are perishing;GOD'S WORD® Translation
To God we are the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are dying.Good News Translation
For we are like a sweet-smelling incense offered by Christ to God, which spreads among those who are being saved and those who are being lost. 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. Majority Standard Bible
For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.NET Bible
For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing--New Heart English Bible
For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish;Webster's Bible Translation
For we are to God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:Weymouth New Testament
For we are a fragrance of Christ grateful to God in those whom He is saving and in those who are perishing;World English Bible
For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God in those who are saved and in those who perish:

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
we are a refreshing fragrance to God because of Christ, in those being saved, and in those being lost;Berean Literal Bible
For we are a sweet perfume of Christ to God in those being saved and in those perishing:Young's Literal Translation
because of Christ a sweet fragrance we are to God, in those being saved, and in those being lost;Smith's Literal Translation
For we are to God a sweet odor of Christ, in the saved, and in the host:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For we are the good odour of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. Catholic Public Domain Version
For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ for God, both with those who are being saved and with those who are perishing.New American Bible
For we are the aroma of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,New Revised Standard Version
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For we are a sweet savour to God through Christ, in those who are saved and in those who perish:Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For we are a sweet fragrance to God in The Messiah among those who have life and among those who perish;

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
For, through God, we are a sweet odor of Christ, among the saved, and among the lost:Godbey New Testament
because we are a sweet savour of Christ unto God, among those who are saved, and among those who perish;Haweis New Testament
For we are a sweet odour of Christ to God in those who are saved, and in those who perish.Mace New Testament
for God is pleased to accept my christian labours, in favour both of those who are in a saving, and of those who are in a ruinous state:Weymouth New Testament
For we are a fragrance of Christ grateful to God in those whom He is saving and in those who are perishing;Worrell New Testament
because we are to God a sweet savor of Christ, in those who are being saved, and in those who are perishing;Worsley New Testament
For we are the sweet odor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, yea and in them that perish:Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Triumph in Christ
14But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. 15For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To 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?…

Cross References

Ephesians 5:2
and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.Philippians 4:18
I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.Romans 15:16
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.2 Corinthians 4:3-4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. / The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.2 Corinthians 5:9
So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it.2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.1 Corinthians 2:14-16
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. / The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. / “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.John 12:3
Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.Genesis 8:21
When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.Exodus 29:18
Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD.Leviticus 1:9
The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.Leviticus 2:2
and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Treasury of Scripture

For we are to God a sweet smell of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

a sweet.

Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Exodus 29:18,25 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD…

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

in them.

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

Isaiah 49:5,6 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength…

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

Jump to Previous

Aroma Christ Destruction Fragrance Getting Grateful Lost Odour Perfume Perish Perishing Salvation Saved Saving Savor Savour Sweet

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Aroma Christ Destruction Fragrance Getting Grateful Lost Odour Perfume Perish Perishing Salvation Saved Saving Savor Savour Sweet

2 Corinthians 2

1. Having shown the reason why he came not to them,
6. he requires them to forgive and to comfort that excommunicated person,
10. even as he himself upon true repentance had forgiven him;
12. declaring why he departed from Troas to Macedonia,
14. and the happy success which God gave to his preaching in all places.

Berean Study Bible

For we are to God
This phrase establishes the identity and purpose of believers in relation to God. The Greek word for "we are" (ἐσμέν) indicates a state of being, emphasizing that this is not just an action but an intrinsic part of the believer's identity. The phrase "to God" (Θεῷ) signifies that our existence and actions are primarily directed towards God, highlighting the vertical relationship between believers and their Creator. This aligns with the biblical theme that our lives are meant to glorify God, as seen throughout Scripture.

the sweet aroma
The term "sweet aroma" (εὐωδία) is rich with Old Testament sacrificial imagery. In the Hebrew Scriptures, sacrifices offered to God were described as a "pleasing aroma" (e.g., Genesis 8:21, Leviticus 1:9). This metaphor suggests that believers, through their lives and testimonies, are like a fragrant offering to God. It implies that our lives should be lived in such a way that they are pleasing to Him, much like the sacrifices of old that were offered with a pure heart and intention.

of Christ
The phrase "of Christ" (Χριστοῦ) indicates that the aroma is not of our own making but is derived from our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is through Christ's sacrifice and our union with Him that we become a pleasing aroma to God. This underscores the centrality of Christ in the believer's life and the transformative power of His work on the cross. It is a reminder that apart from Christ, we can do nothing that is truly pleasing to God (John 15:5).

among those who are being saved
The phrase "among those who are being saved" (ἐν τοῖς σωζομένοις) refers to the community of believers who are in the process of salvation. The present participle "being saved" indicates an ongoing process, reflecting the biblical concept of salvation as both a completed act and a continuing journey. This highlights the communal aspect of the Christian faith, where believers are called to live out their faith in the context of a community that is collectively moving towards the fullness of salvation.

and those who are perishing
The phrase "and those who are perishing" (καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις) contrasts with the previous group, referring to those who are rejecting the gospel. The present participle "perishing" suggests an ongoing state of spiritual decline. This dichotomy between those being saved and those perishing is a recurring theme in Paul's writings, emphasizing the urgency of the gospel message and the stark reality of its reception. It serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences of accepting or rejecting Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ.--If we believe this Epistle to have been written from Philippi, it is interesting to note the recurrence of the same imagery of a "sweet savour" in the Epistle to that Church (Philippians 4:18). Here the mind of the writer turns to the sterner, sadder side of the Roman triumph. Some who appeared in that triumph were on their way to deliverance, some on their way to perish (this is the exact rendering of the words translated saved and lost), and this also has its analogue in the triumph of Christ. He does not shrink from that thought. In his belief in the righteousness and mercy of Christ, he is content to leave the souls of all men to His judgment. He will not the less do his work as incense-bearer, and let the "sweet savour" of the knowledge of God be wafted through the words which it has been given him to utter. All things are for His glory, for His righteousness will be seen to have been working through all.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 15. - We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ. The undeveloped metaphor involved in these words is that "we and our preaching diffuse to God's glory the knowledge of Christ which is as a sweet savour." The apostles are identified with their work; they were as the incense, crushed and burned, but diffusing everywhere a waft of perfume. St. Paul is still thinking of the incense burnt in the streets of Rome during a triumph - "Dabimusque Divis Tura benignis" (Horace, 'Od.,' 4:2.51) - though his expression recalls the "odour of a sweet smell," of Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17 (comp. Ephesians 5:2); see on this passage the excellent note of Bishop Wordsworth. In them that are saved, and in them that perish; rather, among those who are perishing and those who are being saved (comp. Acts 2:47). The odour is fragrant to God, though those who breathe it may be variously affected by it. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

For
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

we are
ἐσμὲν (esmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

to God
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[the] sweet aroma
εὐωδία (euōdia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2175: A sweet smell, fragrance. From a compound of eu and a derivative of ozo; good-scentedness, i.e. Fragrance.

of Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

among
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

those who are
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

being saved
σωζομένοις (sōzomenois)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

those who are
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

perishing.
ἀπολλυμένοις (apollymenois)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

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2 Corinthians 2:15 Catholic BibleNT Letters: 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are a sweet aroma (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)

2 Corinthians 2:15 - Triumph in Christ (2024)
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