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)

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A Ministry of Life or Death

14 But thanks be to God,(A) who always puts us on display[a] in Christ[b] and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.(B) 15 For to God we are the fragrance(C) of Christ among those who are being saved(D) and among those who are perishing.(E) 16 To some we are an aroma of death(F) leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life(G) leading to life. And who is competent for this? 17 For we are not like the many[c] who market God’s message(H) for profit. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 2:14 Or always leads us in a triumphal procession, or always causes us to triumph
  2. 2 Corinthians 2:14 Lit in the Christ, or in the Messiah; 1Co 15:22; Eph 1:10,12,20; 3:11
  3. 2 Corinthians 2:17 Other mss read the rest

14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

16 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?

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

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