Editing Propitiation (section)

==Christian theology==

In [[Romans 3:25]] the [[King James Version]], [[New King James Version]], [[New American Standard Bible]], and the [[English Standard Version]] translates "propitiation" from the Greek word ''hilasterion''. Concretely it specifically means the lid of The Ark of The Covenant.<ref>Strong's Greek Dictionary G2435</ref> The only other occurrence of ''hilasterion'' in the NT is in [[Hebrews 9:5]], where it is translated as "[[mercy seat]]" in all of the Bible translations named above as well as the [[Revised Standard Version]] and the [[New Revised Standard Version]].

For many Christians it has the meaning of "that which expiates or propitiates" or "the gift which procures propitiation". {{bibleref2|1 John|2:2}} (KJV) reads: "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." There is frequent similar use of ''hilasterion'' in the [[Septuagint]], {{bibleref2|Exodus|25:17-22}} ff. The mercy seat was sprinkled with blood on Yom Kippur ({{bibleref2|Leviticus|16:14}}), representing that the righteous sentence of the Law had been executed, changing a judgment seat into a mercy seat ({{bibleref2|Hebrews|9:11–15}}; compare with "throne of grace" in {{bibleref2|Hebrews|4:14–16}}; place of communion, ({{bibleref2|Exodus|25:21–22}}).

Another Greek word, ''hilasmos'', is used for Christ as our propitiation in 1 John 2:2; 4:10; and in the Septuagint ({{bibleref2|Leviticus|25:9}}; {{bibleref2|Numbers|5:8}}; {{bibleref2|Amos|8:14}}). The thought in the OT sacrifices and in the NT fulfillment, is that Christ completely satisfied the just demands of the Holy Father for judgment on sin, by his death at Calvary ({{bibleref2|Hebrews|7:26-28}}).{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} ''TDNT'', however, takes a different view of ''Hebrews: "''If the author uses the ritual as a means to portray Christ's work, he also finds that in the new covenant the literal offerings of the ritual are replaced by the obedience of Christ (10:5ff.; cf. Ps. 40) and the Christian ministry of praise and mutual service (13:15-16; cf. Ps. 50). In other words, total self-giving, first that of Christ, and then, on this basis, that of his people, is the true meaning of sacrifice.<ref>"Sacrifice" (Gk: ''hilasterion)'' article in ''Theological Dictionary of the New Testament,'' Grand Rapids, MI:  Eerdmans (1984) {{ISBN|0802823246}}.</ref>

God, in view of the cross, is declared righteous in having been able to justify sins in the OT period, as well as in being able to forgive sinners under the New Covenant ({{bibleref2|Romans|3:25,26}}; cf. {{bibleref2|Exodus|29:33}}, note).<ref>NOT OR, it's a paraphase of the text referenced: Romans 3:25-26 (NASB) "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; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." ~ Exodus 29:33 (NASB) "Thus they shall eat those things by which atonement was made at their ordination and consecration; but a layman shall not eat them, because they are holy."</ref>

Writing in ''Harper's Bible Dictionary'' (1952), Methodist theologian [[Edwin Lewis]] summarizes Paul's teaching in [[Romans 3]] that God's attitude toward sin is revealed "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:23-26). "The nature of sin must be set forth through the very means through which reconciliation is to be brought about: this means the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, which is therefore 'a propitiation' (v. 25 KJV). ... God's righteousness, which makes sin a barrier to fellowship, and God's love, which would destroy the barrier, are revealed and satisfied in one and the same means, the gift of Christ to be the Mediator between Himself and men."<ref>Lewis, Edwin (1952). "Propitiation". ''Harper's Bible Dictionary'', Harper & Bros., p. 586.</ref>