“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. Who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:15–16 ESV).
Paul paints a vivid picture of believers spreading the fragrance of Christ wherever they go. Just as incense filled the air in a Roman triumphal procession or in the temple sacrifices, so the gospel permeates the world through the lives of those who follow Jesus. Yet, this fragrance has a dual effect: to those being saved, it is the sweet scent of “life to life,” but to those rejecting Christ, it signals death (“death to death”). The same message that brings hope to some exposes judgment to others. Confronted with this sobering reality, Paul cries out, “Who is sufficient for these things?” He acknowledges that no human being could bear such a weighty calling in their own strength. The task of carrying the aroma of Christ is too great apart from the empowering grace of God.
We, too, are called to be the aroma of Christ in this world. Our words, actions, and very presence should spread the knowledge of Jesus everywhere. But if we are honest, we feel our inadequacy. How can we possibly represent Christ well in a world that responds so differently, some embracing the gospel, others rejecting it? Paul’s rhetorical question reminds us that sufficiency for this calling does not come from ourselves. Our competence and confidence must come from Christ alone (2 Cor. 3:5). This frees us from striving to make ourselves “enough” and instead calls us to live surrendered to Jesus, trusting His Spirit to make us the fragrance of life wherever He sends us.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to be the aroma of Christ in this world. We confess that we are insufficient for this task on our own. Empower us by Your Spirit so that our lives would spread the fragrance of Jesus to those around us. May many be drawn to the life we have found in Him. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.