εὐωδία (euōdia)
euōdia
aroma
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun euōdia refers to a sweet, pleasant fragrance or aroma. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, always in the letters of Paul (Philippians 4:18; Ephesians 5:2; 2 Corinthians 2:15). The word carries a strong metaphorical weight, drawing on the Old Testament idea that God finds pleasure in the "sweet aroma" of acceptable sacrifices and offerings.
Paul uses this imagery to describe spiritual realities. In Philippians 4:18, he calls the financial support from the Philippian church an "aroma, an offering acceptable and pleasing to God." Similarly, in Ephesians 5:2, he points to Christ’s self-sacrifice as a fragrant offering that brings satisfaction to God. The word suggests that acts of obedience, generosity, and love are not just duties but something that pleases the divine heart.
This term connects Christian practice with ancient worship practices. Just as burnt offerings in the Old Testament were described as giving off a pleasing smell, Paul presents spiritual sacrifices—like prayer, worship, and good deeds—as having a similar effect. The focus is on God’s enjoyment of these acts, showing that faithful living has a tangible impact in the spiritual realm.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Paul describes Christian actions as an aroma, he invites us to see our daily lives as acts of worship that reach heaven. This word suggests that generosity, obedience, and love are not merely social duties or moral obligations. Instead, they carry a spiritual weight that pleases God deeply, much like the sweet smoke rising from ancient sacrifices.
Consider the gift sent to Paul in Philippians 4:18. He did not see it as simple charity but as a fragrant offering acceptable to God. This perspective transforms how we view our contributions and kindnesses. Your acts of love are not lost or unnoticed; they create a sweet atmosphere before the Father, showing that faithful living has a tangible impact in the spiritual realm.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of a sweet smell.1×
- of a sweet smell,1×
- a sweet perfume1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὐωδίας.¶1×
- εὐωδίας,1×
- εὐωδία1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 4:18
But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
Paul identifies the financial gift from the Philippians as a fragrant sacrifice, elevating their material support to the level of worship.
-
Ephesians 5:2
Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
The verse anchors the concept in Christ’s self-sacrifice, showing that His death is the ultimate sweet-smelling offering to God.
-
II Corinthians 2:15
For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God in those who are being saved and in those who perish:
Paul applies the term to his own ministry, describing believers as the fragrance of Christ spreading through their witness.