Propitiation

1. This word occurs in the New Testament 3 times (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 4:10).

2. In Greek, “propitiation”, or hilasmos, means: 1) to render one's self, to appease, conciliate to one's self 1a) to become propitious, be placated or appeased 1b) to be propitious, be gracious, be merciful.

3. The dictionaries define the word as: the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity).

So, why is this important? Why is it such an important word? Why should we add it to our vocabulary and use it without fear of being misunderstood?

It’s because it is essential in understanding God’s love for us. “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

So many people ask: how could a loving God put up with the suffering in this world? But we can’t understand God’s loves without first asking: “Do we love God?”

So, do you love God?

If you have trouble answering this question, it’s because you can’t get past the how-can-a-loving-God-put-up-with-suffering question. You’ve set yourself up for failure because you can’t even see past yourself. You can’t understand God’s love because you don’t even know what “love” is in your life.

Instead, we start with the premise: God loves you.

That’s why “propitiation” is such a wondrous and glorious word! Because it starts with “God loves you”. It begins with a Holy and Infinite God that loves you, even though you are utterly depraved, confused, unknowing and finite. Propitiation begins with love, and ends in the love that is completed in Jesus.

Begins with love, ends with love. Because of love, he was sent as propitiation for our sins. Because of love, propitiation rescued us. This is propitiation, this is love.