Contradictions and Paradoxes in 2 Corinthians 2:16

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 2 Corinthians 2:16 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 2 Corinthians 2:16. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Paul, this means that to some people, the message about Jesus can seem sad and scary, like something that leads to death. But to other people, it seems happy and full of life, something that leads to living forever.

2 Corinthians 2:16: 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?

Contradiction with John 3:16

John 3:16 speaks of salvation and God's love for the world, which appears to present a more universally hopeful message compared to the dual outcomes of life and death in 2 Corinthians 2:16.

John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Contradiction with 1 Timothy 2:4

1 Timothy 2:4 talks about God desiring all men to be saved, which contrasts with the idea in 2 Corinthians 2:16 that the message of the Gospel leads to life for some and death for others.

1 Timothy 2:4: Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Contradiction with 2 Peter 3:9

2 Peter 3:9 emphasizes God's patience and desire for all to come to repentance, contradicting the implication that the Gospel inherently leads to death for some, as suggested in 2 Corinthians 2:16.

2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Contradiction with Romans 11:32

Romans 11:32 states that God has mercy on all, which contradicts 2 Corinthians 2:16, where the message of the Gospel results in different outcomes for different people.

Romans 11:32: For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. [concluded...: or, shut them all up together]

Contradiction with Ezekiel 33:11

Ezekiel 33:11 expresses God taking no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather that they turn from their ways and live, conflicting with the contrasting destinies of "life" and "death" in 2 Corinthians 2:16.

Ezekiel 33:11: Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Paradox #1

2 Corinthians 2:16 could be seen as presenting a contrast in how the same message affects different people. Some might see an inconsistency in how the message of the Gospel is received differently, as it represents both life and doom depending on the perspective or spiritual state of the receiver. This dual effect might seem contradictory to the idea of a universally positive message.

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