We've likely all heard these terms: atonement, expiation, propitiation, reconciliation. We generally nod as if we know exactly what is being said. We do that because we're unwilling to admit that we don't really know what is being said, but, hey, we're Christians so we should be able to speak the language. Wouldn't admitting that we don't really know the differences or actual meanings be an admission that we are "outsiders"?
Well, I'm offering a different solution. Let's see if we can actually determine what they mean. Then we won't be lying when we nod as if we know what is being said.
In the New American Standard Bible, the word, "atonement" and its various forms only appear in the Old Testament. Other words offer the same concept in the New Testament. "Expiation" only occurs in Num. 35:33. "Propitiation" occurs in four places in the New Testament:
21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith (Rom. 3:21-25).That leaves "reconciliation." Now, this word appears more often and in more forms in the New Testament.
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people (Heb. 2:17).
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2).
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).
10If while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled , we shall be saved by His life. 11 We also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation (Rom. 5:10-11).Good. Now we have the references. So ... what are we talking about?
13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Rom. 11:13-15).
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation , 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18-20).
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity (Eph. 2:14-16).
19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach. (Col. 1:19-22).
The Old Testament concept of "atonement" encompasses the New Testament concept of "reconciliation", "expiation", and "propitiation". The Old Testament concept includes all aspects. Now, if you look up "expiation" in an English dictionary, you'll find that "atonement" is a synonym. If you look up "propitiation" you'll find ties to both "atonement" and "expiation". In other words, all of these words are very similar. So what is the difference?
It has often been said and is, in fact, accurate that "atonement" essentially means "at-one-ment." The concept is that the debt is paid, the gap is closed, the two parties are reconciled. There is no end of discussion in various quarters about the mechanism and the process, but there is little disagreement about the meaning. There are nuances, however, in these various terms -- shades of meaning that we don't want to miss.
To "expiate" is to make amends. The idea is that the error is corrected. Expiation occurs when a debt is repaid, or when the punishment is handed out and the matter is ended. To "propitiate" is similar, but there is a difference. Propitiation is to favorably incline. It is an appeasement, a removal of anger. It was the idea behind the barbaric practice of offering a virgin to the volcano god. Appease the angry god -- propitiation. Note that the two are linked and rather similar, but not exactly the same. One is removing the blockage and the other is inclining to favor. They are two halves of the equation. One removes the problem and the other restores the relationship. Together these provide "reconciliation." Reconciliation is when the debt is paid and the relationship is restored. These three concepts -- "expiation", "propitiation", and "reconciliation" -- form the singular concept of "atonement."
Now that we have this, I think it's a good idea to proceed with other conclusions.
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