2 COR 2:15 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:12–17: Concerns and joys of an apostle

In this section Paul reviewed going to Troas to tell people about Jesus. The idiom “a door was opened” indicates that Paul had an opportunity to preach Jesus where many people would listen (2:12). He expected to meet Titus there, but Titus was not there, so Paul went to Macedonia (2:13). Titus later came to Macedonia and met with Paul (7:5).

In 2:14, Paul stopped talking about his travels. Instead, he thanked God for leading him. Paul compared God’s leading to a victory parade (2:14). He explained that believers represent Jesus (2:15–16b). He indicated that such ministry is difficult (2:16c). He also explained that he and the other evangelists do not preach as a way to earn money (2:17).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul’s Mission as Christ’s Spokesman (GW)

The ways God leads

Paragraph 2:14–17

Paul changed themes here. Paul began this letter talking to the believers in Corinth about shared concerns. At 2:12, he began to tell them that he wanted to talk with Titus about his concerns.

But in 2:14–17 he thanked God for his leading and described the life following him. In some languages it is more natural to begin a new section here. The GNT has the heading “Paul’s Anxiety in Troas” for the section 2:12–13 and the heading “Victory through Christ” for the section 2:14–17.

2:15a

For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ

For we^(excl) are like the aroma of Christ’s sacrifice, which was given to God
We please God when we serve Jesus; it is like the aroma of the sacrifice of Christ that pleased God.

For: This conjunction introduces an explanation of the phrase “the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ: There are two ways to interpret this metaphor:

It refers to the Old Testament sacrifices. God often referred to them as a pleasing aroma to him. Jesus was the sacrifice on the cross. Paul and the other evangelists are like the aroma of that sacrifice. Their deeds while following Christ honored God and pleased him.
It refers to the triumphal procession of 2:14. During these processions, people sacrificed animals and cooked them. They also burned incense and other sweet-smelling things.

The metaphor probably refers to (1), because the role of Christ here is pleasing God. (In 2:14 the metaphor refers to Christ’s victory.) In some languages the metaphor would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Explain the metaphor in your translation. For example:
we are like the aroma of the sacrifice of Christ to God
we are like the aroma of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to God
we please God when we follow Jesus, as the aroma of the sacrifice of Christ pleased God
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
This metaphor refers to the Old Testament sacrifices. They were often referred to as a pleasing aroma to God. Jesus was the sacrifice on the cross. Believers are like the aroma of that sacrifice.
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
we please God when we follow Jesus You may then want to explain the literal Greek. For example:
Literally “we are the aroma of Christ to God.” This metaphor refers to the Old Testament sacrifices. They were often referred to as a pleasing aroma to God. Jesus was the sacrifice on the cross. Believers are like the aroma of that sacrifice.

the sweet aroma of Christ: This phrase is emphasized in the Greek. If possible, emphasize this phrase in your language. For example:

the aroma of Christ we are to God

sweet aroma: The Greek word here only refers to good smells. Other ways to translate this word are:

fragrance (NASB)

sweet smell (NCV)

2:15b

among those who are being saved

and which spreads among those whom God is saving
This aroma spreads among those who are on the road/way to being saved
We please God by serving Jesus among those whom God saves,

among those who are being saved: A good smell wafts among the people in a crowd. Paul and the other evangelists did things that pleased God. Their deeds were done among believers. The believers rejoiced in God when they saw those deeds, as a crowd reacts positively to a good smell. The phrase here refers to doing those things among believers. For example:

which spreads among those who are being saved (GNT)

those who are being saved: The clause who are being saved is passive. It is God who saves people. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

those whom God is saving

The Greek clause indicates that God is saving people at the present time.

saved: The Greek word that the BSB translates as saved means “to rescue someone from danger or trouble.” In this context it refers to rescuing someone from the spiritual dangers of sin and the punishment that result from it. God will save people from the punishment that results from sin. In your translation, you may need to make explicit what people are saved from. For example:

saved from sin/hell

saved from the punishment of their sins

2:15c

and those who are perishing.

and those whom God destroys.
and among those who are on the road/way to being destroyed.
We also please God by serving Jesus among those whom God will destroy.

those who are perishing: This clause refers to people who will die as an enemy of God. Their destiny is destruction in hell. For example:

those who are on the way to destruction (NJB)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

ὅτι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι Χριστοῦ εὐωδία ἐσμέν τῷ Θεῷ ἐν τοῖς σῳζομένοις καί ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις)

Here, the word For introduces an explanation of what Paul said in the previous verse about “the aroma” ([2:14](../02/14.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces further explanation. Alternate translation: [Indeed,] or [Here is what I mean:]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἐσμὲν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι Χριστοῦ εὐωδία ἐσμέν τῷ Θεῷ ἐν τοῖς σῳζομένοις καί ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις)

Here, just as in [2:14](../02/14.md), the word we does not include the Corinthians. It could refer to: (1) Paul and those who proclaim the gospel with him. Alternate translation: [we who preach are] (2) just Paul. Alternate translation: [I am]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

Χριστοῦ εὐωδία ἐσμὲν τῷ Θεῷ

˱of˲_Christ ˓a˒_sweet_fragrance (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι Χριστοῦ εὐωδία ἐσμέν τῷ Θεῷ ἐν τοῖς σῳζομένοις καί ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις)

Here Paul continues to speak about fragrance and good smells (See: [2:14](../02/14.md)). He identifies himself and his fellow workers as a fragrance that comes from Christ and which goes toward God. By speaking in this way, he shows that we are those who represent or declare who Christ is in the presence of God. Just like everyone smells a good smell and knows where it comes from, so everyone notices Paul and his fellow workers and realizes that they represent Christ before God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a simile or express the idea in plain language. Make sure that your translation fits with the previous and the following verses. Alternate translation: [we are like a good odor that spreads from Christ before God] or [we represent Christ before God]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

Χριστοῦ εὐωδία

˱of˲_Christ ˓a˒_sweet_fragrance

Here Paul uses the possessive form to indicate that the fragrance could: (1) come or spread from Christ. Alternate translation: [a fragrance from Christ] (2) be presented or offered by Christ. Alternate translation: [a fragrance that Christ presents] or [a fragrance that Christ offers]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

τοῖς σῳζομένοις

the_‹ones› ˓being˒_saved

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that God does it. Alternate translation: [the ones whom God is saving]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις

the_‹ones› the_‹ones› perishing

Christians disagree over whether God causes people to “perish” or whether people cause themselves to “perish.” The word that Paul uses here intentionally does not include the person who causes the perishing. If possible, your translation also should avoid stating who causes the “perishing.” Alternate translation: [the ones on the path to destruction] or [the ones who are not being saved]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear 2 COR 2:15

SR Greek word order

Section 2:12–17: Concerns and joys of an apostle

Paragraph 2:14–17

2:15a

2:15b

2:15c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 2 COR 2:15

SR Greek word order

Section 2:12–17: Concerns and joys of an apostle

Paragraph 2:14–17

2:15a

2:15b

2:15c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 2 COR 2:15