<p>2:16- see on Mt. 3:11.<br /><em>To the one a savour from death to death; to the other a savour from life to life</em>- The smell of the incense, representing the truth of Christ manifested by Paul in his work with both the Corinthians and unbelievers, was variably received. For some it had the putrid smell of death; and those who received it that way would be led to eternal death. Perhaps the savour arose from the death of Christ, but led disbelievers to death. The savour arising from His resurrection would lead believers in it to eternal life. For them, the smell was pleasant and was perceived as the message of life, leading to eternal life. Paul is here alluding to Rabbinic views of the Law. <em>Debarim Rabba</em>, sec. 1, fol. 248: &ldquo;As the bee brings home honey to the owner, but stings others, so it is with the words of the Law.&rdquo; &ldquo;They (the words of the Law) are a savour of life to Israel, but a savour of death to the people of this world&quot;. Or in <em>Taarieth</em>, fol. 7, 1, &ldquo;Whoever gives attention to the Law on account of the Law itself, to him it becomes an aromatic of life, but to him who does not attend to the Law on account of the Law itself, to him it becomes an aromatic of death&quot;. Paul is writing of the Gospel of Christ in the same terms as the Law of Moses. For these allusions to have been appreciated, we can only conclude that there was significant Judaist influence at Corinth, which was leading some to reject the &quot;savour of Christ&quot; in favour of the Law. Gentile, immoral and immature Christians were attracted to the Judaist argument because it freed them up to live immoral lives, with their conscience salved by tokenistic, legalistic obedience to a few laws.</p><p><em>And who is sufficient for these things?</em>- As if to say, 'We simply don't appreciate the power and the implications of the logic we are putting before men'. There is no third way. Before all those who smell the savour of the Gospel is the choice of eternal death or life. And Paul, like any serious preacher of the Gospel, felt insufficient to be the one bringing this message of such ultimate importance. It is our sense of insufficiency which is our sufficiency as preachers; it is the most vital qualification.</p>