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2 Corinthians 2:14
New International Version
2 Corinthians 2:14
New International Version
14 But thanks be to God,(A) who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma(B) of the knowledge(C) of him everywhere.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
The Message
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
The Message
An Open Door
12-14 When I arrived in Troas to proclaim the Message of the Messiah, I found the place wide open: God had opened the door; all I had to do was walk through it. But when I didn’t find Titus waiting for me with news of your condition, I couldn’t relax. Worried about you, I left and came on to Macedonia province looking for Titus and a reassuring word on you. And I got it, thank God!
14-16 In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.
16-17 This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No—but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.
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2 Corinthians 2:14
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
2 Corinthians 2:14
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
14 Now thanks be to God, who always maketh us to triumph in Christ Jesus, and manifesteth the odour of his knowledge by us in every place.
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2 Corinthians 2:14
Expanded Bible
2 Corinthians 2:14
Expanded Bible
Victory Through Christ
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s victory ·parade [procession; C the image is of a victorious Roman general leading his army and his captives through the streets]. God uses us to spread ·his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume [L the aroma/fragrance of the knowledge of him; C incense or spices were burned during such victory parades].
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2 Corinthians 2:14-17
New International Version
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
New International Version
14 But thanks be to God,(A) who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma(B) of the knowledge(C) of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma(D) of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.(E) 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death;(F) to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?(G) 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.(H) On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity,(I) as those sent from God.(J)
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
The Message
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
The Message
An Open Door
12-14 When I arrived in Troas to proclaim the Message of the Messiah, I found the place wide open: God had opened the door; all I had to do was walk through it. But when I didn’t find Titus waiting for me with news of your condition, I couldn’t relax. Worried about you, I left and came on to Macedonia province looking for Titus and a reassuring word on you. And I got it, thank God!
14-16 In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.
16-17 This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No—but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.
Read full chapter
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
14 Now thanks be to God, who always maketh us to triumph in Christ Jesus, and manifesteth the odour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are the good odour of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.
16 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?
17 For we are not as many, adulterating the word of God; but with sincerity, but as from God, before God, in Christ we speak.
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2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Expanded Bible
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Expanded Bible
Victory Through Christ
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s victory ·parade [procession; C the image is of a victorious Roman general leading his army and his captives through the streets]. God uses us to spread ·his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume [L the aroma/fragrance of the knowledge of him; C incense or spices were burned during such victory parades]. 15 ·Our offering to God is this: [or For God’s sake; or To God] We are the ·sweet smell [aroma; fragrance] of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are ·being lost [perishing; headed for destruction]. 16 To those who are ·lost [perishing; headed for destruction], we are the ·smell [aroma] of death that brings death, but to those who are being saved, we are the ·smell [aroma] of life that brings life. So who is ·able [qualified; adequate] to do this work? 17 We do not ·sell [peddle] the word of God for a profit as many other people do. But in Christ we speak the truth ·before [in the presence of] God, as ·messengers of [envoys of; L from] God.
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New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
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Expanded Bible (EXB)
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.