"the knowledge of Christ is an aroma." This refers back to [2 Corinthians 2:14](../02/14.md), where Paul speaks of the knowledge of Christ as if it were incense that has a pleasing smell. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
Possible meanings are 1) that the word "death" is repeated for emphasis and the phrase means "an aroma that causes death" or 2) "an aroma of death that causes people to die" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
Possible meanings are 1) that the word "life" is repeated for emphasis and the phrase means "an aroma that gives life" or 2) "an aroma of life that gives people live" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
Paul uses this question to emphasize that no one is worthy to do the ministry that God has called them to do. Alternate translation: "No one is worthy of these things" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])