### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **euōdía**, represented by `{{G2175}}`, serves as a term for **good-scentedness** or fragrance. It appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible. It is used metaphorically to describe an act or a person that is pleasing and acceptable to God, much like a pleasant aroma or a sweet-smelling savour.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{G2175}}` always refers to a fragrance that is spiritually pleasing to God. It is used to describe the sacrifice of Christ, who gave himself for believers as "an offering and a sacrifice to God for a **sweetsmelling** savour" [[Ephesians 5:2]]. The term is also applied to believers themselves, who "are unto God a **sweet savour** of Christ" [[2 Corinthians 2:15]]. Finally, it characterizes a believer's material gift as an "odour of a **sweet smell**, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God" [[Philippians 4:18]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the sacrificial and pleasing nature of `{{G2175}}`:
* `{{G3744}}` **osmḗ** (fragrance): This word for odour or savour is paired with `{{G2175}}` to create the full expression of a pleasing scent, such as a "sweetsmelling **savour**" [[Ephesians 5:2]] or an "**odour** of a sweet smell" [[Philippians 4:18]].
* `{{G2378}}` **thysía** (sacrifice): The concept of a sweet smell is directly tied to a **sacrifice**. Both Christ's death [[Ephesians 5:2]] and the Philippians' gift [[Philippians 4:18]] are called a sacrifice that is a sweet savour.
* `{{G4376}}` **prosphorá** (offering): This word specifies the nature of the gift. Christ gave himself as an **offering** and a sacrifice which was a sweet smell to God [[Ephesians 5:2]].
* `{{G2101}}` **euárestos** (fully agreeable): This describes the result of the sweet-smelling sacrifice. The gift from the Philippians was not only a sweet smell but also a sacrifice that was **wellpleasing** to God [[Philippians 4:18]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G2175}}` is centered on the concept of divine acceptance.
* **The Atoning Sacrifice of Christ:** The term is used to define the sacrifice of **Christ** `{{G5547}}` as perfectly pleasing and acceptable to God. His loving self-gift serves as the ultimate "**sweetsmelling** savour" [[Ephesians 5:2]].
* **The Believer's Identity in Christ:** Christians are described as a "**sweet savour** of Christ," signifying that through their connection to Him, their lives become a pleasing fragrance to God among both the saved and the perishing [[2 Corinthians 2:15]].
* **Worship Through Sacrificial Giving:** The word elevates acts of generosity to the level of spiritual worship. A financial gift is not merely a transaction but a fragrant **sacrifice** `{{G2378}}` that is **acceptable** `{{G1184}}` and **wellpleasing** `{{G2101}}` to God [[Philippians 4:18]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G2175}}` is far more than a word for a pleasant scent. It is a powerful metaphor for what is acceptable and delightful in God's sight. It beautifully illustrates how the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the very lives of His followers, and their acts of generous giving can all ascend to God as a pleasing spiritual fragrance.
TRV