his was not so much owing to the largeness of their presents, as to the peace of his mind; looking upon this gift of theirs, though it might be but small in itself, a fulness to him; for he adds, I am full; as much as he desired, he wanted no more, he had enough: having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you: and which he acknowledged, that the character of this good man might stand clear, who had been intrusted with this affair: an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God, this is said in allusion to the sacrifices under the former dispensation, in which God smelled a sweet savour, Gen 8:21 , in reference to which, as the sacrifice of Christ is said to be of a sweet smelling savour, Eph 5:2 , and as the spiritual sacrifices of the saints, as praises and prayers, are called odours, Rev 5:8 , and are said to be acceptable unto God, Pe1 2:5 ; so acts of beneficence are called sacrifices, with which he is well pleased, Heb 13:16 .