![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/pen-and-paper.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTo that end I set before you today the word propitiation<\/strong>. I am guessing you haven\u2019t used that word in conversation recently. But it is an important, vital word. A generation or two ago the word came under attack because some people wanted to change the way we look at God. They felt that the word was freighted with meaning that cast God in a bad light. The result was not merely the jettisoning of the word, but a morphing of the image of God and the way He deals with us in salvation.<\/p>\n Jesus Christ is He \u201cwhom God displayed publicly as a propitiation<\/strong> in His blood through faith\u201d<\/span> (Rom. 3:25, NASB). Instead of \u201cpropitiation\u201d some translations\/paraphrases choose the following: \u201cexpiation\u201d (RSV), \u201ca sacrifice of atonement\u201d (NIV, NRSV) or \u201cthe sacrifice for sin\u201d (NLT). This was done originally, not because the old word no longer carried its original meaning and translators were looking for clarity. Rather, at least for some, it appears to have been done with a theological agenda. The word’s meaning was all too clear and some did not appreciate its connotation.<\/p>\n The Greek word was well known in non-Christian writings of the New Testament era. It regularly referred to not merely forgiving or removal of sins, but to the appeasement of wrath over those sins so that forgiveness could indeed be offered. The use of the word in the Greek translation of the Old Testament demonstrates that this meaning was understood by God\u2019s people even then (e.g. Exodus 32:14; Psalm 78:38). But some people didn\u2019t think it a good idea to picture God as having wrath which needed to be appeased. They wanted rather to emphasize the love of God. How could a loving God possibly express wrath against sin?<\/p>\n The context of Romans 3:25 makes the answer abundantly clear. The Apostle Paul took pains in his letter to the Romans to demonstrate that all people everywhere are naturally born into this world under the wrath of the holy, righteous God because of their sin. This, he demonstrates, is true for pagan Gentiles (Rom. 1:18-32), religious Gentiles (Rom. 2:1-16), and Jews (2:17-3:8) alike. Read the breathtaking summary statement of Paul regarding all humanity being found under the wrath of God: Romans 3:9-20! Paul was about as clear as one can be: \u201cThe wrath of God is revealed \u2026\u201d<\/span> (1:18). \u201c\u2026 both Jews and Greeks are all under sin\u201d<\/span> (3:9b). \u201cNow we know that \u2026 every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God\u201d<\/span> (3:19).<\/p>\n But despite our abiding state under the impending wrath of God, He has made a way for us to escape punishment and to be accepted at His throne. He has done this in a way that allows His holiness and righteousness to remain intact and for His love to win the day! God has made a way that we may be \u201cjustified as a gift by His grace\u201d<\/span> (3:24a). This was done as God the Father sent Christ whom He \u201cdisplayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood\u201d<\/span> (3:25).<\/p>\n