Make very certain you know what the word PROPITIATION means. Your eternal destiny depends upon it!

The term has an interesting history. In ancient Greece, propitiation meant to appease or bargain with God.  Paganism involved a kind of continual blackmail, a buying off deity.

Now, as this word came into Biblical use (hilaskomai in Greek), it was associated with a much more elevated view of God.  But uniformly, the Bible teaches that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was given to pacify and satisfy the righteous God and to gain man’s forgiveness.

Approaching the whole problem of man’s sin and the atonement, we come to three important considerations: (1) the offended one (God), (2) the offense (sin), and (3) the offender. Now look at the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Is it a propitiation of God (see #1) or an expiation of the sin or merely an influence on the offender?

Some otherwise good theologians and Bible translators are guilty of spraying widely and indefinitely as with gunshot as they vaguely define these terms, often refusing to use propitiation at all, preferring to use expiation. The good and great scholar A. A. Hodge says, “Expiation has respect to the bearing which satisfaction has upon sin or the sinner. Propitiation has respect to the effect of satisfaction in thus removing the judicial displeasure of God.”

Here are important doctrinal terms, none of which is exactly synonymous with propitiation, but all of which do convey important aspects of God’s scheme of rescuing fallen men:

Atonement carries the idea of be1ng “for sin” in the minds of many. However, it does not necessarily move us to consider the objective payment of a price to satisfy God.

Sacrifice or offering leads us to think at once of a payment for the sinner and for his sin. Again, it does not bring God into the picture at once.

Reconciliation may be taken in two different ways, and usually the weakest and secondary concern comes to mind first. That is, we tend to think of man being reconciled rather than God being turned back to the sinner.

Expiation is an important and good word, but does not necessarily bring to mind the foremost emphasis of the grand word propitiation. Rather, it often is taken more generally to imply a “sacrifice for sin which cares for the sinner’s guilt before God.”

The big question is, however, what can satisfy the offended God now that all men are sinners? Exactly how does the scheme of atonement work? Is God now pleased if and when the sinner is changed? Is it that Jesus died and now you and I are softened and moved to walk a better way? No, rather, God is satisfied, pleased, turned again, reconciled — I am back in His favor — because Jesus’ blood propitiates, satisfies, pleases God. It is not that I, the sinner, am merely softened and turned. No, by faith alone I take hold of the cross and all is well between my soul and the Father in heaven!

Now the study of this grand doctrine of propitiation helps me to understand other important truths of Scripture as well. For instance, it leads me into a deeper appreciation and knowledge of God Himself. For, the moment we look in our text, Romans 3:25, and see this word propitiation, we must think of God Himself. The whole concept involves a movement toward Him. The priestly system of making sacrifices involves this thrust and direction. Thus, it is distinguished from the function of the prophet, which was toward men on God’s behalf. The priest serves on man’s behalf before God. Study Hebrews 5:1; 2:17 where propitiation is used.

Again, what or who is propitiated? Not the sin. Nor, the sinner. (Surely God is not offering reparation to the sinner! God has not wronged us.)

We thus cling to the cross. It alone turns God back toward us in kind mercy. If you would learn these wonderful lessons about the God of heaven, study propitiation. Look more deeply at the cross of Christ.

WRATH AGAINST SIN

At the very mention of the wrath of God, pagan notions tend to come to mind. Men tend to think of the emotional, arbitrary rage of pagan gods, casting fear over degraded men and women. All enlightened people agree, that kind of Divine anger  is a myth. However, this does not mean there is no Divine wrath at all. Satan must not carry our minds from bad to worse!

Plainly, Scripture teaches about God’s wrath against sin. Look at the cross. You will see more than love. Would God permit the humiliation and death of His Son unnecessarily? No, it had to be.

A good judge may be kind in heart, but he must back the law. At Calvary, God was maintaining His holiness against man’s sin.  Righteousness is an absolute requirement. God will by no means clear the guilty, as Exodus 34:7 teaches.  There must be a propitiation of God. And, there can be no forgiveness “without shedding of blood” (Hebrews 9:22).

GREAT REVOLT

Today’s great revolt is against the whole concept of retributive justice. Many argue against God so punishing sin in his just wrath.  Their idea of salvation would concentrate on rehabilitation of the sinner rather than satisfaction of God’s justice.

However, our text, Romans 3:25, forbids such a view. It pictures Jesus openly giving Himself as a blood offering to propitiate God.  This alone is said to be an adequate demonstration and satisfaction of God’s righteousness. The death of Jesus Christ, then, is not merely a good moral influence or example for sinners.

Still further the strongest view of the atonement should not concentrate itself first on cleansing the sin. But, rather, it must answer God’s demand that His justice be satisfied. This of course means that tiny infants or those that lived before Jesus’ day can all share in the value of the cross as a propitiatory sacrifice. Were it only an example or influence, those would remain untouched and unaided by Jesus’ death.

Theologian Berkhof is correct in saying, “He is our Redeemer before He can be our example.” Because Jesus makes an adequate payment for sin, we may now come freely to be saved from sin. Salvation is by the grace of God alone.

The scholar, Leon Morris, points out that God’s wrath is mentioned 580 times in the Old Testament, involving 20 different terms. The New Testament carries forward the same theme of Divine hostility against sin. What is implied is God’s strong and steady opposition to all that is evil.

Now this is more than a mere outworking of natural consequences to prove crime does not pay. God is no passive bystander. He actively judges and punishes sin. See Romans 2:5-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 12:29.

“Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it” Ezekiel 22:14 (NIV).

The cross, therefore, is not a testimony of a wrath1ess God, but a proof of how seriously He views sin. Still, the Father provides the propitiation Himself! How this should touch our hearts!

Turn now to Jesus Christ and claim Him in faith as your sacrifice. The Father is entirely satisfied with Jesus. Choose Him as your Representative, Savior and Lord.