Propitiation is the focus of the atonement. With regard to this important word, four things must be discussed.
I. The Mentions of Propitiation
J I Packer in In My Place Condemned He Stood affirms that its 4 occurrences in the NT occur with reference to 4 great truths.
1—“the rationale of God’s justification of sinners”—Rom 3:25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith…
2—”the rationale of the incarnation of God the Son”—Heb 2:17 … so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
3—“the heavenly ministry of our Lord”—1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins …
4—“John’s definition of the love of God”—1 John 4:10 … He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
II. The Meaning of Propitiation
The difference between expiation and propitiation? Expiation is simply the removal of sin’s guilt. Propitiation is specifically the removal of sin’s guilt by the placating, pacifying, appeasing, or conciliating of God’s wrath. 1689: Ch 8, Par 5 speaks of propitiation: “The Lord Jesus, by his…sacrifice of himself…hath fully satisfied the justice of God.”
III. The Means of Propitiation
Christ satisfied God’s justice by actually suffering in our place—representatively and substitutionarily bearing the punishment God’s justice demanded. That penalty was death—the physical emblem of divine abandonment. Hell is the place where God abandons sinners. Christ was abandoned by God on the cross. Matt 27:46 … Jesus cried out … “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?“ Passages Teaching Christ Substitutionarily Suffered the Punishment of Our Sins Confirm the Idea of Propitiation! 2 Cor 5:21, for instance, reads: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Gal 3:13 aches this: “also teChrist redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE” —
IV. The Misconceptions of Propitiation
First, to love someone and to be propitiated towards someone is not the same. God loves men with whom He is angry. John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Ephesians 2:3 we too … were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 1:4-5 In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself …
Second, propitiation does not turn a God of wrath into a God of love. 1 John 4:10 He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Third, propitiation does not detract from God’s love and mercy, but shows how costly, determined, glorious, and secure it is. Imagine the difference between a man who marries a woman and a man who marries a woman he first must purchase at a great price out of slavery. Which man’s love is the most impressive?
Dr. Sam Waldron is the Academic Dean of CBTS and professor of Systematic Theology. He is also one of the pastors of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Owensboro, KY. Dr. Waldron received a B.A. from Cornerstone University, an M.Div. from Trinity Ministerial Academy, a Th.M. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. From 1977 to 2001 he was a pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Waldron is the author of numerous books including A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, The End Times Made Simple, Baptist Roots in America, To Be Continued?, and MacArthur’s Millennial Manifesto: A Friendly Response.
