The Atonement
Propitiation and Expiation
Satisfying God's Wrath and Removing Sin
Description
Christ's death accomplished both propitiation (satisfying God's righteous wrath against sin) and expiation (removing the guilt of sin). Propitiation addresses the Godward aspect—the holy God who must punish sin has been appeased; His wrath has been turned away through the sacrifice of Christ. Expiation addresses the manward aspect—our sins have been covered, removed, blotted out. The mercy seat (hilasterion) was where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement; Christ is our mercy seat, the place where God's wrath and mercy meet. In Him, justice is satisfied and sinners are cleansed.
Key Verses
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail... and make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.