2 Corinthians 2:15

Witness and mission Jesus Christ Identity and self-worth

¹³ I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

¹⁴ But 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.

For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

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?

¹⁷ For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
KJV: For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
WEB: For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God in those who are being saved and in those who perish:
ASV: For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish;
DARBY: For we are a sweet odour of Christ to God, in the saved and in those that perish:
BLB: For we are a sweet smell of Christ to God among those being saved and among those perishing:

ÅB: For vi er en Kristi vellukt for Gud, blant dem som blir frelst, og blant dem som går fortapt,
OTB: For vi er en velbehagelig duft av Kristus for Gud blant dem som blir frelst og blant dem som går fortapt:
B1930: For vi er en Kristi vellukt for Gud, blandt dem som blir frelst, og blandt dem som går fortapt,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

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.
Read in context
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.
Read in context
Ezekiel 20:41
When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will show My holiness through you in the sight of the nations.
Read in context
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.
Read in context
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.
Read in context
Exodus 29:18
Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
Read in context
2 Thessalonians 2:10
and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 4:3–4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
Read in context