Propitiation is a theological term that refers to the act of appeasing or satisfying the wrath of God and reconciling Him to humanity. It involves the atoning sacrifice that turns away God’s righteous judgment against sin, thereby restoring a relationship between God and sinners. In Christian theology, Jesus Christ is understood to be the propitiation for human sin through His sacrificial death on the cross.
Biblical references to propitiation include:
1. **Romans 3:23-25 (ESV)**
*”…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith…”*
This passage emphasizes that God presented Jesus as a propitiatory sacrifice, allowing sinners to receive justification and grace through faith.
2. **1 John 2:2 (ESV)**
*”He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”*
Here, Jesus is declared to be the atonement not only for individual believers but for all people who respond to His sacrifice in faith.
3. **1 John 4:10 (ESV)**
*”In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”*
This verse highlights God’s love as the basis for sending Jesus, who became the atoning sacrifice to reconcile humanity with God.
4. **Hebrews 2:17 (ESV)**
*”Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”*
This text describes Jesus’ role as the High Priest, mediating between God and humanity by offering Himself as the sacrifice to atone for sin.
The concept of propitiation underscores God’s holiness and justice, demonstrating that sin must be addressed while emphasizing His love and mercy in providing a way for reconciliation through Christ.