Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 2:16

What does 2 Corinthians 2:16 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 2:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 2:16 means

The same fragrance has opposite effects: to some, it is from death to death, hardening in rejection; to others, from life to life, deepening in salvation. This underscores the seriousness of proclaiming Christ—eternal destinies are in view. Faced with such weight, Paul asks, “Who is sufficient for these things?” The implied answer is that no one is, in themselves. Gospel ministry requires adequacy that comes from God, not from human skill or status. The question creates a holy pause, turning attention away from outcomes and methods to the necessity of divine enablement for a task that bears eternal consequence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To the one indeed the odour of death unto death: but to the others the odour of life unto life. And for these things who is so sufficient?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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?

Context

After asserting that believers are a sweet aroma to God, Paul confronts the sobering reality of the message’s divided reception. The question of sufficiency sets up the contrast in verse 17, where Paul explains why his team is trustworthy: not because they possess natural adequacy, but because they speak sincerely, from God, before God, in Christ. This transition links the gravity of the task to the character required of true ministers.

v.15For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish;

v.16This passage

v.17For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

  • Luke 2:34

    and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;

  • John 9:39

    And Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that they that see not may see; and that they that see may become blind.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:5

    not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;

  • 2 Corinthians 12:11

    I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.

  • 1 Peter 2:7

    For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;

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