2 Corinthians 2:16 “To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance…”

2 Corinthians 2:16

To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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?

World English Bible

to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

American Standard Version

to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Geneva Bible 1599

To the one we are the sauour of death, vnto death, and to the other the sauour of life, vnto life: and who is sufficient for these things?

Darby Translation

to the one an odour from death unto death, but to the others an odour from life unto life; and who [is] sufficient for these things?

Young's Literal Translation

to the one, indeed, a fragrance of death to death, and to the other, a fragrance of life to life; and for these things who is sufficient?

Bible in Basic English

To the one it is a perfume of death to death; to the other a perfume of life to life. And who is enough for such things?

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Cross references

“the savour of death”

John 9:39 Luke 2:34 Acts 13:45–47 Acts 20:26 Acts 20:27 1 Peter 2:7

John 9:39 · BSB

Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.”

Luke 2:34 · BSB

Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

Acts 13:45–47 · BSB

But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.

Acts 20:26 · BSB

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

Acts 20:27 · BSB

For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

1 Peter 2:7 · BSB

To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

“who”

1 Corinthians 15:10 2 Corinthians 12:11 2 Corinthians 3:5 2 Corinthians 3:6

1 Corinthians 15:10 · BSB

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

2 Corinthians 12:11 · BSB

I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

2 Corinthians 3:5 · BSB

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

2 Corinthians 3:6 · BSB

And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

17For 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.

Read 2 Corinthians 2