Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Ephesians 5:2 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour" from Ephesians 5:2 encourages believers to live a life of love, modeled after the sacrificial love that Christ demonstrated for humanity. By sacrificing Himself on the cross, Jesus exemplified the ultimate act of love, giving up His life to reconcile humanity with God. As followers of Christ, we are called to exemplify this same kind of sacrificial love in our relationships with others. Walking in love means showing compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness towards others, just as Christ did for us. Additionally, the reference to a "sweetsmelling savour" highlights the pleasing nature of Christ's sacrifice to God, emphasizing the importance of offering our love and service to Him in a way that is pleasing and acceptable.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the concept of love is emphasized as an essential part of the Christian walk. The Greek word used for 'love' in this verse is 'agape', which denotes a selfless, sacrificial love. This type of love is the one that Christ exemplified when He willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. The phrase 'sweet-smelling savour' in this verse refers to the pleasing aroma that offering had in the eyes of God. This imagery harks back to the Old Testament sacrifices, where the aroma of the offerings was seen as pleasing to God. By walking in love as Christ did, believers are called to live sacrificially, putting the needs of others before their own. This sacrificial love is not something that can be accomplished in our own strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. As Christians, we are reminded to imitate Christ's love for us in our relationships with others, offering ourselves as living sacrifices in service to God and those around us.
Ephesians 5:2 in other translations
American Standard Version
and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.
World English Bible
Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
Douay-Rheims
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And walke in loue, euen as Christ hath loued vs, and hath giuen himselfe for vs, to be an offering and a sacrifice of a sweete smellling sauour to God.