The ABC's of the Bible- Propitiation

If you could only learn 1 concept in the Bible you would be hard pressed to find a better one than propitiation. In fact, if you picked concepts such as: atonement, redemption, justification, etc, you would still have to learn the concept of propitiation as a major part of those larger ideas.

What is propitiation?

“a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and in so doing changes God’s wrath toward us into favor.” -Wayne Grudem (Systematic Theology emphasis added).

The word is only used four times in the New Testament (Romans 3:25, Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10).

What is the extent of propitiation?

Propitiation is, by definition, an act of God that is restricted to those who will ultimately be forgiven their sins, namely, the elect. If Christ has absorbed the wrath for every last sin you ever committed God has no reason to punish you for that sin.

What about 1 John 2:2?

I will admit that at first glance John sounds a bit Arminian when he says "...not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." However, we don't interpret the Bible simply based on first glances.

There are three primary reasons I do not believe that John means propitiation was done on behalf of every single person who ever lived:

1. John used the term "whole world" several other times in his writings and it never clearly means "every single person."

2. Parallels in John's gospel point us to a meaning that is much better aligned with the context of 1 John 2:2.

[Caiaphas] did not say this [see context] of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. (John 11:51-52) Also see Revelation 5:9-10.

3. In light of the clear definition of propitiation it would have to follow that every single person is saved regardless of faith in Christ. This is what some Calvinists call the "double payment theory." If Christ died a propitious death on behalf of a person there is no reason for that person to go to hell. To deny this would also undermine the other aspect of the atonement, that Christ's death purchases sanctification (Colossians 1:22).

For more clarification I welcome questions and comments.

You can also see a good post on the subject by Jason Lapp at this link.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen