12And having come to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and a door having been opened to me in the Lord, [2:13] I have had no rest in my spirit due to my not finding Titus my brother — but having taken leave of them, I went out to Macedonia. [2:14] Thanks to God, however, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us makes manifest the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place — [2:15] for we are a sweet perfume of Christ to God, among those being saved and among those perishing: [2:16] to the one indeed an odor from death to death, but to the other a fragrance from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things? [2:17] For we are not like the many, peddling the word of God — but as of sincerity, but as of God, before God, in Christ we speak.
2CO 2:12-17
Triumph in Christ
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman world, a triumph was a grand military procession where a victorious general paraded through the streets, displaying spoils and captives as a public spectacle of power and divine favor. Paul’s use of (leading in triumph) would evoke this imagery, but subverts it: Christ, not Caesar, is the victorious leader, and Paul and his companions are not conquerors but captives, willingly led in Christ’s triumph. The (fragrance) and (sweet aroma) language draws on the pervasive practice of sacrificial offerings, where the scent of burning incense or animal sacrifices symbolized divine acceptance. For Paul, the gospel itself becomes a sacrificial aroma, pleasing to God but eliciting contrasting responses—life to some, death to others. The term (peddling) carries a negative connotation of corrupting something valuable for profit, akin to merchants adulterating goods. Paul contrasts this with his integrity in proclaiming the gospel, rejecting any hint of exploitation or distortion.
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How other translations render this
2CO 2:12
- KJV
- Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
- BSB
- Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,
- Koinōnos
- And having come to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and a door having been opened to me in the Lord,
2CO 2:13
- KJV
- I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
- BSB
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- I have had no rest in my spirit due to my not finding Titus my brother — but having taken leave of them, I went out to Macedonia.
2CO 2:14
- KJV
- Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
- BSB
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- Thanks to God, however, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us makes manifest the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place —
2CO 2:15
- KJV
- For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
- BSB
- For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
- Koinōnos
- for we are a sweet perfume of Christ to God, among those being saved and among those perishing:
2CO 2:16
- KJV
- 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?
- BSB
- To the one, we are an odor of that brings death; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?
- Koinōnos
- to the one indeed an odor from death to death, but to the other a fragrance from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2CO 2:17
- KJV
- For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
- BSB
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- For we are not like the many, peddling the word of God — but as of sincerity, but as of God, before God, in Christ we speak.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2CO 2:14
- leading in triumph:The word translated 'leading in triumph' refers to a Roman triumphal procession, where a victorious general would parade his captives and spoils through the city, publicly displaying his conquest.
- fragrance:The term used here for 'fragrance' could refer to any smell, good or bad, but in this context, it evokes the strong, pervasive scent of incense burned during a triumphal procession, which would have been inescapable.
2CO 2:15
- a sweet perfume:The phrase 'a sweet perfume' specifically denotes a pleasant, fragrant aroma, often associated with sacrifices offered to deities or with the incense used in triumphal parades.
2CO 2:17
- peddling:The word translated 'peddling' refers to the practice of a small-time merchant who might adulterate or dilute their goods for profit, implying a lack of integrity or purity in their dealings.