Biblical Concept: Divine
Propitiation
Vocabulary: i`lasth,rioj / hilasterios / See Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
Introduction: Propitiation is God’s Self-spiritual-satisfaction, toward
humanity, through the efforts of Jesus Christ.
NAS Romans 3:25 whom God
displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to
demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over
the sins previously committed; (Propitiation deals with the sin issue in
volitional creatures.) (Propitiation demonstrates God’s righteousness—He did
not create volitional creatures to condemn them to hell with no chance for
recovery.) (See Romans 2:4 for another mention of “forbearance.” Romans
2:4 4 Or do
you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience,
not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?)
NAS Hebrews 2:17
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might
become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make
propitiation for the sins of the people. (Jesus Christ took care of the sin
issue between a Righteous Holy God and unrighteous humanity.)
NAS 1 John 2:2 and He
Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those
of the whole world. (Jesus Christ took care of the sin issue between a
Righteous Holy God and unrighteous humanity.)
NAS 1 John 4:10 In this
is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sins. (The relationship between God’s love and
propitiation.)
Now, compare this
Biblical Definition of Grace: Grace is: God's beneficial opportunity for mankind
to approach Him for eternal salvation and spiritual growth based on the Person
and work of Jesus Christ - Romans 5:1-2 and Acts 20:32. (Romans 5:1
Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by
faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of
God. Acts 20:32 "And now I commend you to God
and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you
the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.)
Apply God’s
Self-spiritual-satisfaction (propitiation) to yourself as needed. As you do this, recall that there is no merit
in the concept of volition / freewill, but one day credit. Also, recall that God is a Stubborn Spiritual
Radical.