Word Information
Word: Osmé (Hb)
English: fragrance
Source: Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon
Author: Brown Driver Briggs
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14
Definition:
- A smell, odor
- such an odor as is emitted by death (i.e. by a deadly, pestiferous thing, a dead body), and itself causes death,
- such as is diffused (or emitted) by life, and itself imparts life.
The knowledge of God is described as a fragrance in the passage below:
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
This fragrance is spread through those who are following the Lord on the path that leads to life. This perfume draws others to this path, resulting in salvation and life. “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” Proverbs 12:28.
However, for those on the way that leads to destruction, the fragrance of the knowledge of God is like the stench of death: repulsive, disgusting, and very unpleasant.
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” Romans 8:5-7
Why this paradox? The perfume is the knowledge of the Lord — in Him, we are dead to sin, but alive to God.
“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:9-11
What does knowing God feel like, for you? Is it like looming death, or the fresh breath of life? Are you a bold diffuser of this perfume, or do you hide it from those who despise it?
If you know Him, spread the Word!
“Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
Sizzling Sunday: 16th April 2023
Sizzling Sunday 035
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