John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 2:15

"For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish;" — 2 Corinthians 2:15 (ASV)

A sweet odor of Christ. The metaphor that he applied to the knowledge of Christ, he now transfers to the persons of the Apostles, but for the same reason. For as they are called the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), because they enlighten people by holding out the torch of the Gospel, and not as if they shone out upon them with their own radiance; so they have the name of odor, not as if they emitted any fragrance of themselves, but because the doctrine they bring is fragrant, so that it can fill the whole world with its delightful fragrance.

It is certain, however, that this commendation is applicable to all ministers of the Gospel, because wherever there is a pure and plain proclamation of the Gospel, the influence of that odor of which Paul here speaks will be found there.

However, there is no doubt that he is speaking particularly of himself and those who were like him, turning to his own commendation what slanderers attributed to him as a fault. Because he was opposed by many and exposed to the hatred of many, they despised him. Therefore, he replies that faithful and upright ministers of the Gospel have a sweet odor before God, not only when they give life to souls by a wholesome fragrance, but also when they bring destruction to unbelievers. Hence, the Gospel should not be less esteemed on that account. “Both odors,” he says, “are grateful to God—that by which the elect are refreshed to salvation, and that from which the wicked receive a deadly shock.”

Here we have a remarkable passage, by which we are taught that, whatever the outcome of our preaching may be, it is nevertheless well-pleasing to God if the Gospel is preached, and our service will be acceptable to Him. We are also taught that it does not detract in any way from the dignity of the Gospel that it does not benefit all; for God is glorified even in this: that the Gospel becomes an occasion of ruin to the wicked—indeed, it must turn out so.

If, however, this is a sweet odor to God, it ought to be so to us also. In other words, it is not fitting for us to be offended if the preaching of the Gospel is not beneficial to all. On the contrary, let us consider it quite enough if it advances God’s glory by bringing just condemnation upon the wicked. If, however, the heralds of the Gospel are in bad odor in the world because their success does not in all respects meet their desires, they have this excellent consolation: that they carry to God the perfume of a sweet fragrance, and what is an offensive smell to the world is a sweet odor to God and angels.

The term odor is very emphatic. “Such is the influence of the Gospel in both respects, that it either gives life or kills, not merely by its taste, but by its very smell. Whatever the case, it is never preached in vain, but always has an effect, either for life or for death.”

But it is asked, how does this accord with the nature of the Gospel, which we will find him, a little later, calling the ministry of life (2 Corinthians 3:6)? The answer is easy: The Gospel is preached for salvation; this is its proper function. But believers alone are partakers of that salvation. Meanwhile, the fact that it is an occasion of condemnation to unbelievers—that stems from their own fault. Thus,

Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world
(John 3:17),

for what need was there for this, since without Him we are all condemned? Yet He sends His apostles to bind, as well as to loose, and to retain sins, as well as remit them (Matthew 18:18; John 20:23).

He is the light of the world (John 8:12), but He blinds unbelievers (John 9:39). He is a Rock for a foundation, but He is also to many a stone of stumbling (Isaiah 8:14).

We must always, therefore, distinguish between the proper function of the Gospel and the incidental one (so to speak), which must be attributed to the depravity of humanity, because of which life for them is turned into death.