2 Corinthians — Chapter 2

The Aroma of Christ

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere."

— 2 Cor 2:14

2 Corinthians 2 deals with reconciliation with the disciplined member (1 Cor 5) and presents the metaphor of the Roman triumph and the aroma of Christ.

🌸 The Aroma of Christ (2:14-17)

2 Cor 2:14-16

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

The metaphor of the Roman triumph (thriambeuo): the victorious general paraded with prisoners and incense. For some, the aroma was of life; for the prisoners, of death. The Gospel has the same double effect: for those who believe, an aroma of life; for those who reject, an aroma of death.