Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes from Macedonia to the Corinthian congregation, having just departed without Titus (v. 13), in a letter that defends his apostolic authority while simultaneously disarming it.
The words — θριαμβεύοντι (thriambeuonti, "leading in triumph") is a present participle modifying θεῷ (theō, "God"), not Paul; the grammar makes God the triumphant general and the apostle the captive in the procession.
The thread — Romans 8:37 echoes the triumphal language ("more than conquerors"), and 2 Corinthians 2:15 immediately unpacks the "fragrance" into its two audiences: the saved and the perishing.
Why it lands — The verse strips the preacher of credit: the fragrance is not a skill Paul wields but a byproduct of being led, and the reader is asked to stop measuring ministry by its output and start measuring it by whose hand is doing the leading.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
- Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
- Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed.
- 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
- Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
- Psalms 106:47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise.
- Song of Solomon 1:3 The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you.
- Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
- Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.