2 Corinthians 2:16

To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life The reading accepted by most recent editors is -a savour arising from death and resulting in death," and -a savour arising from life and resulting in life," according to a construction common to St Paul, of which the most remarkable instance, perhaps, is Romans 1:17. The Gospel is a savour arising from death, because it proclaims the Death of Christ as the foundation of all reconciliation. Cf. John 9:39; 1 Corinthians 1:23-24; 1 Corinthians 15:14-18; 1 Peter 2:7-8. To those only who believe in a risen, ascended, living Christ, is the Gospel a savour arising from, and tending to life. Dr Plumptre remarks on the way in which the figure of the triumphal procession is kept before the reader. To some of those who were being led in procession the odour of the incense "would seem as a breath from Paradise, giving life and health; to others its sweetness would seem sickly and pestilential, coming as from a charnel house."

And who is sufficient for these things? The thought occurs to the Apostle that the wondrous effects consequent on the first proclamation of Christ's Gospel are far above unassisted human powers. Cf. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16. But he defers the consideration of this topic to ch. 2 Corinthians 3:5, confining himself at present (see next verse) to assigning the reason for his exclamation, namely, that he can fearlessly appeal to what was above man's natural ability, the transparent honesty, and thorough faithfulness to God, of his preaching. Perhaps also the Apostle intends to convey the idea that what may be an easy task for those who proclaim a spurious Gospel, is one that demands the utmost watchfulness on the part of the genuine minister of Christ.