Understanding II Corinthians 2: 14-16

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
14 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.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 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?
To understand some parts of the Bible you must have an understanding of the culture of the Bible times.
Specifically, for our understanding of II Corinthians 2:14-16 we must understand Roman Culture. The
Apostle Paul understood the Roman Culture very well.
Acts 22:25-29 (KJV)
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to
scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou
doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was
free born.
29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also
was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
Because Paul was a Roman and understood Roman culture he could incorporate that knowledge into his
writings. Now, that being said, I have to explain that The Bible is God breathed.
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness
2 Peter 1:21 (KJV)
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost.
The Bible IS the Word of God, but, men of God can only write with their natural knowledge ability. In
other words someone with a college education would be able to write better and with a broader scope
of words than someone who only had a high school education. This is why the Gospel of John is so much
more eloquent than Amos. The Apostle John was a highly educated man while Amos was a pig farmer.
Let me ask you, who do you think could write better?
This brings me to another principle in God’s Word and spiritual practice, that, if you don’t get anything
else out of any of my teachings, other than the new birth found in Romans 10:9,10, understand this:
1 Corinthians 14:32 (KJV)
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.There! Did you read that?? “The spirits of the prophets are SUBJECT to the prophets!
The modern Christian Church has been overrun by people talking about “God using you” or “let the
spirit have his way with you.” I tell you this is a lie from the pit of hell! Anytime you give yourself over to
the spirit it is called POSSESSION and our God, the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
NEVER possesses!
Christianity is based on your FREEDOM OF WILL! You choose, you confess, you believe! You never “let
the spirit control you”! Never let anything control your mind, this includes hypnotism. How could
Christianity get so far off base? Look at Revelation 3:20.
Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I (Jesus Christ) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I
will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
You choose, you open! Jesus Christ STANDS AT THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART out of respect for your
freedom of will!!
OK, back to II Corinthians.
So, one of the Roman traditions is the Roman Triumphal Procession. This triumphal procession was a
great big parade, set aside for a conquering general and his army. There were requirements for a
general to be allowed a Triumphal Procession; he had to take land, he had to defeat the enemy in a
decisive victory, he had to take prisoners and he had to have a low amount of casualties.
The procession had a specific route to follow and it had a specific order of the people participating in the
procession. First there were the captured leaders, their allies and enemy soldiers all destined for
execution. Next came the captured weapons, armour, silver, gold and exotic treasures. Third were the
Roman Senators and Magistrates followed by the general’s bodyguards, the general on a chariot pulled
by four white horses and lastly the general’s army.
All the temples would be open and there would be clouds of incense wafting through the air and
beautiful fragrant flowers draped along the parade route.
As the procession proceeded through the streets of Rome all members of the procession could smell all
the beautiful smells. This was a victory march to the Romans, but, to the prisoners this was a death
march. Both the Romans and the Vanquished smelled the same thing. To the Romans it was a victory
march unto life, to the prisoners the same smell was the smell of death.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
14 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.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 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?
“Them that perish” are all those that are not written in the Book of Life. “Them that perish,” also,
includes the Devil and all the devil spirits.“Them that are saved” are the born again Christians (Romans 10:9,10.) Christians are a beautiful sweet
smell to God, Jesus Christ and all Christians.
Always remember that to God and Jesus Christ you are a beautiful sweet fragrance of life.