John Chrysostom

"And which maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place." He said above, "Which always causeth us to triumph." Here he saith "in every place," showing that every place and every time is full of the Apostles' labors. And he uses yet another metaphor, that of the sweet savor. For 'like as those who bear ointment, so are we,' saith he, 'manifest to all'; calling the knowledge a very precious ointment. …

Homily 5 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since he mentioned many afflictions—the affliction in Asia, the affliction in Troas, the affliction from not having come to them—lest it seem that he enumerates afflictions with sorrow, he says: "Thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph," that is, who makes us glorious. For a triumph is the procession of a king or commander through a city with victory and trophies. And God makes us glorious in victory over the devil. Because what seems to be dishonor constitutes our glory, for then the devil falls. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Clement of Alexandria

And the Saviour Himself washing the feet of the disciples, and despatching them to do good deeds, pointed out their pilgrimage for the benefit of the nations, making them beforehand fair and pure by His power. Then the ointment breathed on them its fragrance, and the work of sweet savour reaching to all was proclaimed; for the passion of the Lord has filled us with sweet fragrance, and the Hebrews with guilt. …

The Instructor Book 2 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, But thanks be to God, he describes the progress of his journey, and does two things: first, he describes the order of his progress; secondly, he excludes the false apostles from that progress (v. 16b). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he hints at the progress he made; secondly, he explains something he had said (v. 15). …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗