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2 Corinthians 2:16

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— 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?
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— to the one a savour from death unto death; to the other a savour from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— To the one [we are] the savor of death to death; and to the other the savor of life to life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— to the one an odour from death unto death, but to the others an odour from life unto life; and who [is] sufficient for these things?
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— In these, indeed, a fragrance out of death into death, but, in those, a fragrance out of life into life. And, for these things, who is sufficient?
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— to the one, indeed, a fragrance of death to death, and to the other, a fragrance of life to life; and for these things who is sufficient?
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— 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?
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— To the one we are the sauour of death, vnto death, and to the other the sauour of life, vnto life: and who is sufficient for these things?
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— To the one [wee are] the sauour of death vnto death; and to the other, the sauour of life vnto life: and who is sufficient for these things?
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— To the one the savour of death to death; and to the other the savour of life to life. And who is worthy of these things?
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— To these as a perfume of death unto death, and to those as a perfume of life unto life. And unto these who is equal?
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— to these, an odor of death unto death; and to those, an odor of life unto life. And who is adequate to these things!

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
To y3739
[3739] Standard
ὅς
hos
{hos}
Probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relative (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that.
the one 3303
{3303} Prime
μέν
men
{men}
A primary particle; properly indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with G1161 (this one, the former, etc.
x3739
(3739) Complement
ὅς
hos
{hos}
Probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relative (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that.
[we are] the savour 3744
{3744} Prime
ὀσμή
osme
{os-may'}
From G3605; fragrance (literally or figuratively).
of death 2288
{2288} Prime
θάνατος
thanatos
{than'-at-os}
From G2348; (properly an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively).
unto 1519
{1519} Prime
εἰς
eis
{ice}
A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.
death; 2288
{2288} Prime
θάνατος
thanatos
{than'-at-os}
From G2348; (properly an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively).
and 1161
{1161} Prime
δέ
de
{deh}
A primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.
to the other 3739
{3739} Prime
ὅς
hos
{hos}
Probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relative (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that.
the savour 3744
{3744} Prime
ὀσμή
osme
{os-may'}
From G3605; fragrance (literally or figuratively).
of life 2222
{2222} Prime
ζωή
zoe
{dzo-ay'}
From G2198; life (literally or figuratively).
unto 1519
{1519} Prime
εἰς
eis
{ice}
A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.
life. 2222
{2222} Prime
ζωή
zoe
{dzo-ay'}
From G2198; life (literally or figuratively).
And 2532
{2532} Prime
καί
kai
{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
who 5101
{5101} Prime
τίς
tis
{tis}
Probably emphatic of G5100; an interrogitive pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions).
[is] sufficient 2425
{2425} Prime
ἱκανός
hikanos
{hik-an-os'}
From ἵκω [[hiko]] (ἱκάνω [[hikano]] or ἱκνέομαι [[hikneomai]]; akin to G2240; to arrive); competent (as if coming in season), that is, ample (in amount) or fit (in character).
for 4314
{4314} Prime
πρός
pros
{pros}
A strengthened form of G4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, that is, toward (with the genitive case the side of, that is, pertaining to; with the dative case by the side of, that is, near to; usually with the accusative case the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, that is, whither or for which it is predicated).
these things? 5023
{5023} Prime
ταῦτα
tauta
{tow'-tah}
Nomitive or accusative neuter plural of G3778; these things.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

2 Corinthians 2:16

_ _ savour of death unto death ... of life unto lifean odor arising out of death (a mere announcement of a dead Christ, and a virtually lifeless Gospel, in which light unbelievers regard the Gospel message), ending (as the just and natural consequence) in death (to the unbeliever); (but to the believer) an odor arising out of life (that is, the announcement of a risen and living Savior), ending in life (to the believer) (Matthew 21:44; Luke 2:34; John 9:39).

_ _ who is sufficient for these things? — namely, for diffusing aright everywhere the savor of Christ, so diverse in its effects on believers and unbelievers. He here prepares the way for one purpose of his Epistle, namely, to vindicate his apostolic mission from its detractors at Corinth, who denied his sufficiency. The Greek order puts prominently foremost the momentous and difficult task assigned to him, “For these things, who is sufficient?” He answers his own question (2 Corinthians 3:5, 2 Corinthians 3:6), “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God, who hath made us able (Greek, ‘sufficient’) ministers,” etc.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:12-17.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

2 Corinthians 2:16

And who is sufficient for these things — No man living, but by the power of God's Spirit.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

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. (4) And who [is] sufficient for these things?

(4) Again, he dismisses all suspicion of arrogance, attributing all things that he did to the power of God, whom he serves sincerely, and with honest affection. And he makes them witnesses of this, even to the sixth verse of the next chapter (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 3:6).

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
the savour of death:

Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Acts 13:45-47 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. ... For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Acts 20:26-27 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men]. ... For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
1 Peter 2:7-8 Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, ... And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

who:

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God; ... Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
2 Corinthians 12:11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Lk 2:34. Jn 9:39. Ac 13:45; 20:26. 1Co 15:10. 2Co 3:5; 12:11. 1P 2:7.

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