Propitiation refers to the act of appeasing or gaining the favor of a deity, typically through a sacrificial offering. In a Christian theological context, it specifically relates to the concept of Christ’s sacrifice, which is believed to satisfy the wrath of God against sin, thereby allowing believers to be reconciled with Him.
Biblical references that discuss propitiation include:
1. **1 John 2:2** – “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
2. **Romans 3:25** – “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.”
3. **Hebrews 2:17** – “For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.”
4. **Leviticus 16:15-16** (in the context of the Day of Atonement) – “He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the blood of the bull; he shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been.”
These passages illustrate the significance of Jesus’ sacrificial death as the means by which divine justice is satisfied and believers are reconciled with God.