14 But praise be to God who makes us strong to overcome in Christ, and makes clear through us in every place the value of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are a sweet perfume of Christ to God in those who are getting salvation and in those who are going to destruction; 16 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? 17 For we are not like the great number who make use of the word of God for profit: but our words are true, as from God, being said as before God in Christ.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
(Read 2 Corinthians 2:12-17)
A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the gospel is a savour of death unto death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto others, the gospel is a savour of life unto life: as it quickened them at first when they were dead in trespasses and sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end in eternal life. Observe the awful impressions this matter made upon the apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our sufficiency is of God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity, as in the sight of God, is not of God, does not come from him, and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in this matter; and seek the testimony of our consciences, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that as of sincerity, so speak we in Christ and of Christ.