- 138. Savor
2 Corinthians 2:14b, 15, 16 And maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.
The meaning of the word “savor” is “fragrance or aroma” and it is so translated in most English versions. We don’t realize it ourselves, but the promise we can believe is that we actually smell good. We don’t smell the fragrance we are exuding because it is a spiritual aroma, noticeable only to God and the angels. By faith we believe the word and promise of a fragrance. We don’t see it and we are not allowed to smell it, but our words and behavior actually have an effect. We are a sweet fragrance of Christ. Fragrance in the natural world is normally light, temporal, and barely noticeable, but it does have an effect. The same is true in the spiritual world.
The same fragrance coming from our spirit affects all people, but the effect is the opposite upon them that are saved and on them that perish. Upon those who are perishing (because they do not believe in Christ) it is the fragrance of death unto death; it smells like death and it causes death. Amazing, the sweet-smelling savor of Christ reeks of love and forgiveness, but upon the unbeliever who is perishing the sweet, good news of love convicts them of their sin and guilt and condemnation, and that does not smell good. Rejecting, spurning or ignoring the love of God is death. The Christian is not usually aware of this negative effect on unbelievers.
Upon them that are saved (because they believe in Christ) it is the fragrance of life leading to life; it smells like life and it is life producing. The sweet-smelling savor of Christ that reeks of love and forgiveness smells like life. Those who are saved have already tasted of the goodness of God and they receive that fragrance with faith and the effect is to enhance life even more. When the believer gets a whiff of the fragrance of life his spirit is lifted and he feels lighter; for this reason the Lord encourages the fellowship and the mutual encouragements of believers with one another. Thus the atmosphere of “love for one another” is refreshing and nourishingfor them that are saved. God promises a fragrance that blesses.