What does 2 Corinthians 2:14 mean?

9 3 minutes read

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14

Explanation

2 Corinthians 2:14 expresses profound gratitude to God, recognizing His sovereignty and the victory He grants through Christ. The phrase “always causeth us to triumph in Christ” suggests the consistent success and spiritual victory that believers enjoy as followers of Jesus Christ. The triumph is not in the sense of worldly success but a spiritual conquest over sin and the effects of a fallen world. Additionally, “maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” refers to how believers, through their words and actions, spread the knowledge of God like a pleasing aroma. The metaphor of fragrance points to the influential and noticeable nature of God’s message as it permeates different environments through the presence and witness of Christians.

Historical Context

2 Corinthians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth, written around A.D. 55-57. Paul established this church during his missionary travels and wrote to address various issues such as division, moral behavior, and doctrinal confusion within the Corinthian church. Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians was complex, involving his authority as an apostle, challenges to his credibility, and the need to correct and guide the church. This verse emanates from the broader context of Paul describing his ministry and defending his apostolic authority. The triumph refers to Paul’s message about Christ overcoming cultural and philosophical opposition in Corinth, a city known for its intellectuality and immorality.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse underscores several key Christian beliefs:

Divine Providence: God is actively involved in the lives of believers, leading them to victory in their spiritual journey.
Christ’s Victorious Nature: There is an understanding that Christ’s victory over sin and death extends to His followers.
Christian Witness: The spread of the Gospel through believers is seen as a divine mandate, reflecting the nature of God’s knowledge as transformative and pervasive.
Sanctification: The verse implies believers are called to be an aroma that positively impacts the world, pointing to living lives that reflect God’s holiness.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, 2 Corinthians 2:14 encourages believers to:

Give thanks to God for His work in their lives.
Recognize that any success they have, especially in spiritual matters, is due to God’s grace.
Live as representatives of Christ, knowing their lives and words can spread the knowledge of God.
Be confident in their spiritual journey, understanding that they are on the winning side through Christ’s victory.

Cross-References

Romans 8:37: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Ephesians 5:2: “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of 2 Corinthians 2:14 include:

Thriambeuo (τριαμβεύω): Translated as “causeth us to triumph,” it connotes leading someone in a victory procession.
Christos (Χριστός): Meaning “Christ” or “Anointed One,” pointing to Jesus’ messianic role.
Phaneroo (φανερόω): Meaning “maketh manifest,” indicating something being made clear or revealed.
Euodia (εὐωδία): Meaning “savour,” often referring to a fragrance or pleasing aroma.
Gnosis (γνῶσις): Translated as “knowledge,” referring to discernment, understanding, or awareness.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Roman times, military triumphs were celebrated with processions that included the fragrance of incense, making the metaphorical language of this verse culturally relevant. Comparatively, in other ancient religions, offering pleasing aromas was common in worship and was believed to curry favor with the gods.

Scientific Perspectives

The metaphorical use of “savour” regarding knowledge does not directly relate to scientific principles. However, modern studies in neuroscience and psychology affirm the human ability to associate scents with memories, emotions, and learning, which could be seen as analogous to how the ‘fragrance’ of Christian witness can leave a lasting impact.

commentaries

Commentators offer varied insights on this verse:

Matthew Henry emphasizes thanksgiving and the notion that God gives Christians the honor of spreading the knowledge of Him, likening it to a fragrance.
John Wesley notes the triumph as acknowledging God’s mercy and the dissemination of His truth through believers’ conduct.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the apostolic success as derived from God’s not Paul’s, strength, and interprets “savour” as the varied responses of people to the Gospel message.
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible stresses the significance of the metaphor of a Roman triumph, suggesting that Paul sees himself and fellow laborers in the Gospel as leading such a procession.
The Expositor’s Greek Testament posits that the ‘triumph’ in Christ is a reference to God’s continuous victory over evil being showcased through the actions of Christians.