The Olfactory Metaphor as a Manifestation of the Presence of Christ in 2 Corinthians 2:14–16

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Maksym Achkasov

Throughout Scripture, God's presence is revealed through various sensory manifestations: wind in the garden (Gen. 3:8), fire on Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:18), a whisper to Elijah (1 Kings 19:12), flame at Pentecost (Acts 2:3). However, in 2 Corinthians 2:14–15, Paul introduces a profoundly subtle and yet powerful metaphor: aroma. He writes: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:14–15).

It is reasonable to ask why Paul would choose to use such a metaphor: one that is directly tied to a one particular human sense. In this passage, he refers to the “aroma of Christ”, which is linked to the olfactory/smell sense, not to the acts of Jesus (visual sense), words of Jesus (auditory sense), or the touch of Jesus (tactile sense). Obviously, the “aroma of Christ” does not refer to a literal smell. Rather, it points to something that is neither visible, audible, nor tangible, and yet something that is sensorially felt and real.

What is particularly interesting is that, unlike other senses (sight, hearing, touch), the sense of smell has a direct neurological link to the emotional and mnemonic parts of the brain. Olfactory signals bypass the thalamus and go straight to the amygdala (which processes emotion) and the hippocampus (which is responsible for memory).(1) This ‘shortcut’ may explain why odors can provoke immediate memories, for example, from childhood, and intense emotional responses without conscious cognitive processing or rational assessment of the situation. Many consider the sense of smell to be the most emotionally evocative of all the senses.(2) A particular scent can instantly trigger feelings of safety, fear, nostalgia, or disgust.

It seems that Paul chooses this metaphor deliberately to suggest that Jesus’ presence is felt in the way that aroma is felt. A fragrance can mark someone’s presence even when they are not seen or heard. A scent reaches a person before they have time to rationally analyze it; it moves directly into their emotional core. In this way, Paul may be implying that Christ is known not only through speech or action, but through a kind of sacred presence that is emanated from His people.

Since smell is more directly tied to emotion and memory than all the other senses, it is plausible to consider that Paul suggests in this passage that Christ’s presence is not rationally believed, but rather existentially perceived, implying that there is something about Him that is recognized deeply, beyond language or cognitive processing, through the lives of His people. Therefore, the metaphor is not only experiential, but also profoundly relational.

Another characteristic of the “aroma” is that it spreads involuntarily. It affects everyone present, whether they desire it or not, thereby evoking life in some and resistance in others, as Paul continues: “To the one, an aroma from death to death; to the other, an aroma from life to life” (2 Corinthians 2:16). In other words, Paul suggests that the “aroma of Christ” is a non-verbal, non-visual, and non-tactile manifestation of God in His people. The aroma does not prove, explain, or work miracles; it simply is. Perhaps Paul is reminding his readers that God can be revealed through simple presence, not just through preaching or action. It is not so much about how much His people do or say, but about who they are that exudes this spiritual fragrance.

References:

1. Herz, Rachel S., and Trygg Engen. 1996. “Odor Memory: Review and Analysis.” Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 3(3): 300–313. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03210754.
2. Herz, Rachel S. 2004. "A Naturalistic Analysis of Autobiographical Memories Triggered by Olfactory, Visual and Auditory Stimuli." Chemical Senses 29(3): 217–224. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjh025; Stevenson, Richard J., and Trevor Case. 2005. "Olfaction and Emotion: The Case of Disgust." Chemical Senses 30(3): 233–251. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjh188.