2 COR 2:16 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) On one hand we’re an aroma of death to those choosing death, and on the other hand, an aroma of life to those choosing life. Wow, who’s worthy enough for that?

Key: light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT to the ones, indeed, an aroma from death to death, but to the others, an aroma from life to life. And for these things, who is sufficient?

UST Those who are passing away think that we are like a smell that comes from a dead body and that causes people to die. On the other hand, those whom God is rescuing think that we are like a smell that comes from a living thing and that causes people to live. No one can perfectly proclaim the good news in that way!

2:16 Literally To the one, indeed, an aroma from death to death; but to the other, an aroma from life to life.

MSB To [the] one [we are] an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life.[fn] And who [is] qualified for such [a task]?

2:16 Literally To the one, indeed, an aroma from death to death; but to the other, an aroma from life to life.

BLB to one indeed an odor from death to death, and to the other a fragrance from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

AICNT to the one an aroma {from}[fn] death to death, to the other an aroma {from}[fn] life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

2:16, from: Later manuscripts read “of.” BYZ TR

OEB To the latter we are a stench which arises from death and tells of death; to the former a fragrance which arises from life and tells of life. But who is equal to such a task?

WEBBE to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?

LSV to one, indeed, a fragrance of death to death, and to the other, a fragrance of life to life; and who is sufficient for these things?

FBV To those who are dying it is the smell of decay, while to those who are being saved it is the scent of life! But who is up to such an assignment?

TCNT to the latter we are a smell of death leading to death, but to the former we are a fragrance of life leading to life. And who is equal to such a task?

T4T To those who are on the way to hell, our message is like [MET] a foul smell because it is about dying and being separated from God forever. But, to those on the way to heaven, the message that we teach is like a pure fragrant smell, because we tell them that they will live forever with God. As we think about that, we think ◄no one is able to do such important work for God!/how can anyone be able to do such important work for God?► [RHQ]

LEB to those on the one hand an odor from death to death, and to those on the other hand a fragrance from life to life. And who is qualified for these things?

BBE To the one it is a perfume of death to death; to the other a perfume of life to life. And who is enough for such things?

Moff to the one a deadly fragrance that makes for death, to the other a vital fragrance that makes for life. And who is qualified for this career?

Wymth to the last-named an odor of death predictive of death, and to the others an odor of life predictive of life. And for such service as this who is competent?

ASV 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?

DRA 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?

YLT 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?

Drby 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?

RV 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?

SLT Truly to those an odor of death into death; and to those an odor of life into life. And who sufficient for these things?

Wbstr 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?

KJB-1769 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?

KJB-1611 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?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from marking of added words (and possibly capitalisation and punctuation))

Bshps To the one part are we the sauour of death, vnto death: and vnto the other part are we the sauour of lyfe vnto lyfe. And who is meete vnto these thynges?
(To the one part are we the savour of death, unto death: and unto the other part are we the savour of life unto life. And who is meet unto these things?)

Gnva 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?
(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? )

Cvdl To these, ye sauoure of death vnto death: but vnto ye other, the sauoure of life vnto life. And who is mete therto?
(To these, ye/you_all savour of death unto death: but unto ye/you_all other, the savour of life unto life. And who is meet thereto?)

TNT To the one parte are we the savoure of deeth vnto deeth. And vnto the other parte are we the savoure of lyfe vnto lyfe. And who is mete vnto these thinges?
(To the one part are we the savoure of death unto death. And unto the other part are we the savoure of life unto life. And who is meet unto these things? )

Wycl To othere sotheli odour of deth in to deth, but to othere we ben odour of lijf in to lijf. And to these thingis who is so able?
(To other truly odour of death in to death, but to other we been odour of life in to life. And to these things who is so able?)

Luth diesen ein Geruch des Todes zum Tode, jenen aber ein Geruch des Lebens zum Leben. Und wer ist hiezu tüchtig?
(this a odour the death for_the deaths, those but a odour the life for_the life. And who is hiezu efficient/proficient?)

ClVg aliis quidem odor mortis in mortem: aliis autem odor vitæ in vitam. Et ad hæc quis tam idoneus?[fn]
(to_others indeed smell of_death in/into/on death: to_others however smell of_life in/into/on life. And to these_things who/any tam suitable? )

2.16 Odor mortis. Ut de nostra prædicatione procedat mors, inde ruentibus in æternam damnationem.

2.16 Odor of_death. As from/about our preaching procedat death, therefore/from_there ruentibus in/into/on eternal damnation.

UGNT οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν. καὶ πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός?
(hois men osmaʸ ek thanatou eis thanaton, hois de osmaʸ ek zōaʸs eis zōaʸn. kai pros tauta tis hikanos?)

SBL-GNT οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ ⸀ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ⸁ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν. καὶ πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός;
(hois men osmaʸ ⸀ek thanatou eis thanaton, hois de osmaʸ ⸁ek zōaʸs eis zōaʸn. kai pros tauta tis hikanos;)

RP-GNT οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν. Καὶ πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός;
(hois men osmaʸ thanatou eis thanaton, hois de osmaʸ zōaʸs eis zōaʸn. Kai pros tauta tis hikanos;)

TC-GNT οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ [fn]θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ [fn]ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν. Καὶ πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός;
(hois men osmaʸ thanatou eis thanaton, hois de osmaʸ zōaʸs eis zōaʸn. Kai pros tauta tis hikanos; )

2:16 θανατου ¦ εκ θανατου CT

2:16 ζωης ¦ εκ ζωης CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN 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.

2:16a–b

To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life: The first clause, To the one, we are an odor of death, refers to 2:15c. The second clause, to the other, a fragrance that brings life, refers to 2:15b. This is good Greek style. In some languages it is more natural to have the clauses in the same order as in 2:15. For example:

To the one/first we are the fragrance of life, and to the other/second we are the smell of death

2:16a

To the one, we are an odor of death and demise;

On the one hand, to one group we^(excl) are an aroma from death to death,
To the latter we are like the smell of death leading to death.
We are like a deadly stench that kills to those whom God will destroy.

2:16a begins with the Greek conjunction that means “on one hand.” The Greek word indicates contrast: 2:16a refers to one kind of people, and 2:16b refers to another kind of people. For example:

On the first hand/side

But some languages can allow the context to indicate that there are two kinds of people and can omit this conjunction, as the BSB has done.

To the one: This phrase refers to the people who are perishing (2:15c). In some languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate that. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in your translation. For example:

To the second group

for these last (NJB)

To those who are perishing

This phrase is emphasized. If possible, emphasize this phrase in your translation.

we are an odor of death and demise: The Greek phrase is literally “a smell out of death to death.” There are several ways to interpret this clause:

The phrase “out of” refers to the kind of smell. The word “to” refers to the effect of the smell. For example:
the smell of death leading to death (NJB) (NJB, GNT, NABRE, CEV, REB, NCV, KJV)
Translate literally. In some languages a literal translation has the correct meaning as described in (1). For example:
an odor from death to death (NET) (RSV, NASB, NET, ESV)
The phrase “out of death to death” is based on a Hebrew idiom that emphasizes the word death. Some versions omit the emphasis. For example:
we are a deadly fragrance (GW) (NIV, GW)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).Harris (p. 241) says in his translation “a deadly stench that leads to death.” But in some languages people will properly understand a literal translation. If that is true in your language, follow interpretation (2).

This clause is a metaphor. In some languages it is more natural to use a simile here. For example:

we are like the smell of death

2:16b

to the other, a fragrance that brings life.

and on the other hand, to the other group we are an aroma from life to life.
To the former we are like the smell of life leading to life.
But we are like a beautiful fragrance that gives life to those whom God will save.

2:16b begins with the conjunction that means “on the other hand” here. The conjunction indicates that 2:16b refers to a second kind of people. (2:16a referred to a first kind of people.) For example:

On the second hand/side

But many languages can allow the context to indicate that there are two kinds of people and omit this conjunction, as the BSB has done.

to the other: This phrase refers to the people who are being saved (2:15b). In some languages a literal translation would not clearly refer to that. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in your translation. For example:

to the first group

for the first (NJB)

to those who are being saved

This phrase is emphasized. If possible, emphasize this phrase in your translation.

a fragrance that brings life: The Greek phrase is literally “a smell out of life to life.” Follow the same option here as you did in 2:16a:

Following option (1) above, the NJB says:
the smell of life leading to life (NJB)
Following option (2) above, the NET says:
a fragrance from life to life (NET)
Following option (3) above, the GW says:
we are a life-giving fragrance (GW)

2:16c

And who is qualified for such a task?

But can anyone be adequate/sufficient to do this work?
Certainly no one is able to hold this responsibility.

And: In 2:14b Paul talked about life as an apostle of Jesus. In 2:14c–16b he talked about the effect of his ministry. In 2:16c he said that doing the work of an apostle is impossible without God helping him. There is some contrast here. In some languages it is more natural to translate the contrast here. For example:

But

Some languages do not need to translate the conjunction to indicate the contrast.

who is qualified for such a task?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the fact that no one is equal to such a task. Translate this clause with that meaning. Some ways are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
is anyone equal to the task?
can anyone be equal to the task?
Who could think himself adequate for a responsibility like this? (JBP)
As a statement. For example:
Certainly no one is equal to such a task.
No one really has what it takes to do this work. (CEV)
As a command. For example:
do not think that anyone is equal to the task!
surely do not think that anyone is adequate for a responsibility like this.

Here Paul said that the task God gave him exceeded anyone’s ability to do on his own (as 3:5 explains). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Paul was saying that no one can be an apostle. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the meaning in a footnote. For example:

Here Paul said that he did not have the ability to do a good job as an apostle. But he also knew that God had empowered him to do a good job (1 Corinthians 15:9–10; 2 Corinthians 3:5).

is qualified: This phrase refers to being able to do something. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

is sufficient (RSV)

is capable (GNT)

is adequate (NASB)

for such a task: The Greek word is literally “these (things).” Here the phrase refers to doing the work of an apostle. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

to do this work (CEV)

for a responsibility like this (JBP)

for such a calling (REB)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

οἷς μὲν & οἷς δὲ

˱to˲_one ˱to˲_one (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἷς μέν ὀσμή ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον οἷς δέ ὀσμή ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν Καί πρός ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός)

Here, the word translated as indeed indicates that the author is introducing the first of two parts. The word but introduces the second part. The author uses this form to contrast “the ones perishing” and “the ones being saved” (See: [2:15](../02/15.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that naturally contrasts two groups of people. Alternate translation: [on one hand, to the ones … but on the other hand, to the others] or [to the ones … but to the others]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν

Here Paul refers to “the ones perishing” before he refers to “the ones being saved,” which is the opposite of the order he used in [2:15](../02/15.md). This was good style in his culture. If reversing the order from [2:15](../02/15.md) would be confusing for your readers, and if it would not be good style, you could reverse the order here to match that in [2:15](../02/15.md). Alternate translation: [to the ones indeed, an aroma from life to life, but to the others, an aroma from death to death]

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

(Occurrence -1) οἷς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἷς μέν ὀσμή ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον οἷς δέ ὀσμή ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν Καί πρός ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός)

Here, the phrase to the ones refers to “the ones perishing,” and the phrase to the others refers to “the ones being saved” (See: [2:15](../02/15.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could clarify to whom these phrases refer. Alternate translation: [to the latter … to the former] or [to the ones perishing … to the ones being saved]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / exmetaphor

(Occurrence -1) ὀσμὴ

Here Paul continues to speak about fragrance and good smells (See: [2:14–15](../02/14.md)). He specifically explains what kind of aroma he and his fellow workers are. Those who do not believe think that the aroma smells bad, while those who do believe think that the aroma smells good. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a simile or express the idea plainly. Make sure that your translation fits with how you translated the “smelling” language in [2:14–15](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: [we smell like an aroma … we smell like an aroma] or [our message is … our message is]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον & ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν

from death to death & from life to life

Twice here Paul uses the words from and to with the same word. He could be using this form because: (1) from indicates the source of the aroma, and to indicates the effects of the aroma. Alternate translation: [that smells like death and leads to death … that smells like life and leads to life] or [of death causing death … of life causing life] (2) from and to together emphasize that the aroma is characterized completely by either death or life. Alternate translation: [of death … of life] or [characterized completely by death … characterized completely by life]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον & ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν

from death to death & from life to life

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of death and life, you could express the ideas by using verbs such as “die” and “live” or adjectives such as “dead” and “alive.” Make sure your translation fits with the option you chose in the previous note. Alternate translation: [that comes from something dying and that leads to people dying … that comes from something living and leads to people living] or [that smells like something dead … that smells like something alive]

Note 7 topic: writing-pronouns

πρὸς ταῦτα

Here, the phrase these things refers back to what those who proclaim the good news must do, things that Paul has outlined in [2:14–16](../02/14.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make explicit to what these things refers. Alternate translation: [to do what I have said] or [to preach the gospel like this]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός?

Paul does not ask this question because he is looking for information. Rather, he asks it to involve the Corinthians in what he is arguing. The question could imply that the answer is that: (1) Paul and his fellow workers are sufficient since God works through them. Alternate translation: [for these things, we are indeed sufficient!] (2) no one is sufficient. Alternate translation: [for these things, nobody is sufficient!]