2 Corinthians 2:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"For we are the fragrance of Christ to God among those being saved and among those perishing" (2 Cor 2:15).

"Whether someone is saved," he says, "or perishes, the preaching of the Gospel always preserves its dignity."

Light remains light even when it blinds those weak in sight, though it blinds them. Honey does not cease to be sweet by nature, even if it seems bitter to the sick.

So also the Gospel of Christ always preserves its fragrance, although unbelievers perish. The Gospel does not destroy them, but their own hardness does.

The fragrance of the preaching is even especially manifested by the perdition of the ungodly. Thus the power of the Gospel is revealed not only in the salvation of the good, but also in the perdition of the ungodly.

He says this either because we offer ourselves in sacrifice, dying for Christ, or because at the slaughter of Christ we also burn a certain fragrance. The meaning of his words is this: whether someone is saved or perishes, the Gospel preserves its dignity, and we continue to be what we are. Light remains light, though it blinds those weak in sight. Honey does not cease to be sweet, though it seems bitter to those suffering from jaundice. So also the Gospel gives forth fragrance, though unbelievers perish. We are Christ's fragrance, but not simply so: we are such to God. And if God has so determined concerning us, who will contradict?

Do not be surprised when it is said of the preaching of the Gospel itself: "For we are the fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: to the one a smell of death unto death. And to the other a smell of life unto life." It was said to the Jews that the law is a "ministry of death." For them it was written on stone, thereby symbolizing their hardness of heart. But this does not apply to those who fulfill the law through love: "Love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom. 13:10).

The one who faithfully affirms Christ is a fragrance to God. The one who believes in Him is worthy of praise and does not deserve the condemnation of the unbeliever. But the one who falsely affirms Christ is a foul odor to God, both among believers and among unbelievers.

We offer the fragrance of Christ to all, but not all who perceive it gain salvation. For to diseased eyes even light is dangerous and hostile, yet the sun does not cause the harm. They say that the vulture flees from the fragrance of myrrh, yet myrrh remains myrrh, though the vulture flees from it. So also saving preaching brings salvation to believers, but causes perdition to unbelievers. "And who is sufficient for these things?" It is not we who succeed in this, but the grace of the Spirit succeeds through us, because we do not consider ourselves worthy of this ministry.

The Savior Himself, washing the feet of His disciples and sending them to good labors, pointed to their glorious and pure journey for the benefaction of the Gentiles, having prepared them by His own power. Their myrrh was fragrant, and the work of the fragrance was glorified, reaching everyone. For the sufferings of the Lord filled us with fragrance.

"We are the fragrance of Christ." In the Old Testament, the sacred vessels and the ministers of the tabernacle spread fragrance.

So also in the New Testament the Apostles, vessels of the most fragrant myrrh, which is the knowledge of Christ, and ministers of the Word, are filled with fragrance from the myrrh they carry.

Or, as sacrificial animals constantly offered to God were a fragrant and pleasing sacrifice to God, so the Apostles, constantly being put to death for the preaching of Christ, give forth the fragrance of a spiritual sweet savor pleasing to the Lord.

First, then, what are the properties and actions of the Gospel revelation? (2 Cor. 2:15-4:6). First, it needs no external encouragements for itself (2 Cor. 2:15-16), nor recommending authorities. It makes itself felt like a diffused fragrance, though not life-giving for all. For some, the stubborn and unbelieving, it is even death-bearing. Compare Lk. 2:4: "Behold, this one is set for the fall," and so forth. "And who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Cor. 2:16), the Apostle exclaims. That is, who is able to understand and explain the different actions of the preaching about Christ upon human hearts? (Bishop Theophan).

When uttering these and the following words, the Apostle, according to Bishop Theophan's explanation, "was taken by the Spirit into contemplation of the power, glory, brightness, and wondrous actions of Gospel truth."

His discourse on the height of Christian revelation begins unexpectedly and proceeds in a flowing, inspired speech, until all was poured forth that the Spirit gave him to proclaim at that time, down to chapter 7, verse 2.

Here the Apostle first speaks of the properties and actions of Christian revelation. It spreads like a fragrance, which for some is life and for others death.

At the same time, the Apostles add nothing from themselves. Their Gospel acts so by itself.

We, he says, are the fragrance of Christ. If some material or garment is perfumed with an aroma, then wherever it is brought, it spreads that aroma everywhere. No other scent is noticed from it, though it has its own natural smell.

So the Apostles, filled with the knowledge of Christ, appeared wherever they came as men who knew nothing except the Lord Jesus Christ.

Their word was only about Him. They manifested powers only in His name. They sanctified believers by His name. They gave commandments in His person. They built up Churches for His glory.

Everything that proceeded from them was about Christ, for Christ, and from Christ. So tangibly were they the fragrance of Christ.