Propitiation
In Christianity,
Propitiation is a
theological term denoting that by which God is rendered propitious, i.e., that 'satisfaction' or 'appeasement' by which it becomes consistent with His character and government to
pardon and bless sinners. The propitiation does not procure his love or make him loving; rather, it renders it consistent for him to exercise his love towards sinners.
In
Christian theology, propitiation is the work of
Jesus Christ on the
cross, by which He appeases the
wrath of God (not an emotional response of anger but a moral response of indignation), and conciliates Him who would otherwise be offended by our sin and would demand that we pay the penalty for it. The concept of propitiation is associated in some Christian theological systems with
indemnity,
imputed righteousness, and
substitutionary atonement.
Propitiation is translated from the Greek (
hilasterion), meaning "that which expiates or propitiates" or "the gift which procures propitiation". The word is also used in the New Testament for the place of propitiation, the "mercy seat".
Hebrews 9:5. There is frequent similar use of (
hilasterion) in the Septuagint,
Exodus 25:18 ff. The
mercy seat was sprinkled with atoning blood on the
Day of Atonement (
Leviticus 16:14), representing that the
righteous sentence of the
Law had been executed, changing a judgment seat into a mercy seat (
Hebrews 9:11-15; compare with "
throne of grace" in
Hebrews 4:14-16; place of
communion,
Exodus 25:21-22).
Another Greek word, (
hilasmos), is used for
Christ as our propitiation.
1 John 2:2; 4:10, and for "atonement" in the Septuagint (
Leviticus 25:9). The thought in the Old Testament sacrifices and in the New Testament fulfillment, is that Christ completely satisfied the just demands of a
holy God for judgment on sin, by His death on the
Cross of Calvary.
God, in view of the Cross, is declared righteous in forgiving sins in the
Old Testament period, as well as in justifying sinners under the
New Covenant (
Romans 3:25,26; cf.
Exodus 29:33, note). Propitiation is not the placating of a vengeful God but, rather it is the satisfying the righteousness judgement of that holy God; thereby making it possible for Him to show mercy, without compromising His righteousness or
justice.
The
Hebrew (
kaphar), means "to propitiate, to atone for sin." According to Scripture, the
sacrifice of the
Law only covered the offeror's sin, and secured divine forgiveness for that year. The Old Testament sacrifices never removed man's sin. "It is not possible . . .",
Hebrews 10:4. The Israelite's offering implied confession of sin in anticipation of Christ's sacrifice which did, finally, "put away" the sins "done previously in the forbearance of God",
Romans 3:25; Heb. 9:15,26. This
forgiveness frees the confessing
believer from the burden of sin, allowing him or her to be 'adopted' into the spiritual
family of God, and to enjoy the many
blessings and
spiritual
fellowship with God which are the
inheritance of
God's people, the
promise given to
Abraham and his spiritual
descendants given by God.
Judaism teaches that atonement comes through the study and practice of the
Torah's
613 commandments.
*
Atonement*
Atonement (Governmental view)*
Atonement (Satisfaction view)*
Justification (theology)*
Substitutionary atonement
