July 09, 2023
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NASB)
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (NASB)
Of the 5 senses God gave us, our sense of smell is the most evocative. Several months ago, my daughter Portia purchased me a diffuser with several oil fragrances. As I used the various fragrances throughout my home, I became increasingly partial to particular ones and we would exchange the ones we were not too fond of. I was aware that various fragrances could affect us, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually, however, I must admit, I never actually focused on how much. So, I decided to do a little research, and I was amazed!
The power of a fragrance has the ability to set an atmosphere, evoke a wide range of emotions, and even trigger memories. They also have a profound impact on our mood, behavior, and perception of our surroundings. A particular scent can make us feel happy, relaxed, energized, nostalgic, or even romantic. Particular fragrances can significantly influence our state of mind and enhance our overall well-being.
In the Old Testament, the book of the Songs of Solomon came to mind how Solomon penned the imagery of the fragrance of love, as he depicts the intimate love relationship between the bridegroom (often associated with Christ) and the bride (often associated with the Church or individual believers). He says in Song of Solomon 1:3, the bride says, “Your name is oil poured out; therefore, the virgins love you.” Here, the name of the bridegroom is described as an overflowing fragrance that captivates and draws the love of others. The fragrance signifies the beauty, attractiveness, and desirability of the bridegroom.
Additionally, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul using imagery as he writes about the fragrance of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, provides a detailed description of love. He explains that love is patient, kind, not jealous, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, and easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. In verse 7, Paul states that love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. This depiction of love portrays its qualities as a fragrant aroma that permeates every aspect of life, in our relationships, and interactions.
What kind of fragrance do you wear? Yes, spiritually we give off odors or a spiritual “aroma.” Paul says that God “uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Christ everywhere.” Throughout the Word of God, love is often described as a sweet-smelling fragrance, evoking a powerful and captivating aroma that emanates from genuine, selfless, and sacrificial love. The concept of the “fragrance of love” symbolizes the essence and expression of divine love. This is a wonderful aroma of life to all “who are being saved” through faith in Christ Jesus.
Throughout the Word of God, fragrances are symbolic and represent different aspects of Christian faith, devotion, and spiritual growth. Various fragrances are associated with the worship and the spiritual lives of us as Believers in Christ. References to fragrances highlight the significance of the spiritual life of a Christian. Through faith, love, sacrifice, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to offer their lives as a pleasing fragrance before God and as a witness to the world.
Some of the Key Fragrances Mentioned in the Bible are:
The Fragrance of Sacrifice and Atonement: In the Old Testament, the fragrances associated with sacrifices offered in the Tabernacle and later the Temple were considered pleasing to God. These sacrifices, such as burnt offerings and incense, symbolized repentance, obedience, and the seeking of forgiveness. The aroma of these sacrifices was seen as a pleasing fragrance to God, representing the desire to draw near to Him.
The Fragrance of Christ’s Sacrificial Love: In the New Testament, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross is described as a fragrant offering to God. Ephesians 5:2 states, “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” The sacrificial love of Christ expressed through His death and resurrection, is seen as a pleasing aroma to God, representing the ultimate act of love and redemption.
The Fragrance of Knowledge and Proclamation: In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, the apostle Paul speaks of the fragrance of knowledge and the proclamation of the gospel. He describes believers as a fragrance of Christ, spreading the knowledge of Him everywhere. As Believers in Christ share the message of salvation and live out their faith, their lives and words are compared to a pleasing fragrance that draws people to Christ.
The Fragrance of Prayer and Intercession: In Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, incense is symbolically linked to the prayers of the saints. The prayers of believers are considered a fragrant offering before God, ascending to Him and filling His presence. This fragrance represents the intimate communion and communication between God and His people.
The Fragrance of Spiritual Fruit: In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are likened to a fragrant aroma that emanates from the lives of believers, reflecting the presence and work of the Holy Spirit within them.
A SWEET-SMELLING 
HEART: The Aroma of our love! For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”
In the Word of God, love is often described as a sweet-smelling fragrance, evoking a powerful and captivating aroma that emanates from a genuine, selfless, and sacrificial love. One of the noticeable references to the fragrance of love is in Ephesians 5:1-2, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (NLT)
We are to imitate God by walking in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Here, the sacrificial love of Jesus is likened to a fragrant offering, indicating that His love is pleasing and acceptable to God. But we are called to demonstrate Christ’s suffering and sacrifice through our own emotional, spiritual, and even physical sufferings on behalf of others, however, that may look in our daily lives as noted in Colossians 1:24.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Word that gives us clear instructions on how to live and represent You well. Help others to smell our wholesome fragrance of divine love in our lives. Father God, we want to smell good in expressing You and be a fragrant offering to You Father, an aroma which You could breathe in all day long, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!
Song of Solomon 1:12-14 THE FRAGRANCE OF LOVE
Like many romantic poems, alludes to numerous scents and fragrances. All have to do with the sweet-smelling aroma of love: (From Logos Bible Program)
- Spikenard (Song 1:12; 4:13–14), a fragrant, costly oil derived from the dried roots and stems of nard, an herb of Asia. It could be used either as an ointment or made into expensive perfume.
- Myrrh (1:13; 3:6; 4:14; 5:5, 13), an aromatic, resinous extract of a stiff-branched tree with white flowers and plum-like fruit. Myrrh was an ingredient in anointing oil (Ex. 30:23) and perfume (Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17), and was used in purification rites for women (Esth. 2:12).
- Henna (Song 1:14; 4:13), a large plant whose fragrant white flowers were often exchanged as a token of friendship. Solomon was known to have henna vineyards at En Gedi. The plants were used to make an orange-red dye valued as a cosmetic.
- Cedar (1:17), the aromatic wood of the massive evergreen trees which in Solomon’s time covered the hills and mountains of Lebanon (hence the “fragrance of Lebanon,” 4:11). Solomon imported enormous quantities of cedar in order to build the temple and other projects, including his palace complex known as the House of the Forest of Lebanon (1 Kin. 5:1–10; 7:1–8)—perhaps the location of the scene described in Song 1:17.
- Frankincense (3:6; 4:6, 14), an aromatic gum resin obtained from the Boswellia tree in northeast Africa and Arabia. The highly fragrant substance was used in the Hebrew religious rites (Ex. 30:7, 34; Lev. 2:1; 24:7) and was considered a symbol of religious fervor. Frankincense was a valuable item of trade in the ancient world.
- Saffron (Song 4:14), a product of crocus blooms which were dried and pressed into cakes. The product was used as a coloring for curries and stews, or as a perfume for floors and especially for weddings.
- Calamus (4:14), or sweet cane, a fragrant, reed-like grass that grew along streams and river banks. The leaves are ginger-flavored when crushed. Calamus is listed as an ingredient of the anointing oil used in Hebrew worship (Ex. 30:23).
- Cinnamon (Song 4:14), a product of the cinnamon tree native to Ceylon. The oil of the tree was used as a perfume both for secular (Prov. 7:17) and religious (Ex. 30:32) purposes.
- Aloes (Song 4:14), the highly valued wood of the large eaglewood tree native to India. It was made into perfume and incense.
- Apples (2:5; 7:8), or possibly apricots, which may have been imported from groves in the Caucasus region to the north of Canaan.
- Mandrakes (7:13), perennial herbs with dark green leaves and small bluish-purple flowers in winter. The plant’s springtime fruit is yellow, fragrant, and sweet. Said to have narcotic qualities, mandrakes were called “love apples” and were used as a love potion (compare Gen. 30:14–16)