Expiation & Propitiation

Expiation

Expiation Concept

Guilt is said to be expiated when it is visited with punishment falling on a substitute. Expiation is made for our sins when they are punished not in ourselves but in another who consents to stand in our room. It is that by which reconciliation is effected. Also: Expiate

EXPIATE; EXPIATION [Heb. kipper, kippurîm, kappōreṯ, kōp̱er; Gk. hiláskomai, exiláskomai, hilasmós, hilasté̄rion]. In the OT the NEB renders Heb. kipper most often by “make expiation,” but also by “(secure) pardon,” “blot out,” “wipe away,” “purge.” In place of “expiate” the AV and RSV prefer “atone” or “make atonement,” but also render “forgive,” “appease,” “be merciful,” and “make reconciliation.” The RSV has “expiate” in 1 S. 3:14; Isa. 27:9; 47:11; or “(make) expiation” in Nu. 8:7; 35:33; Dt. 32:43; 2 S. 21:3. In the NT the RSV has “expiate” or “expiation” in Rom. 3:25 (hilasté̄rion; AV “a propitiation”; NEB “the means of expiating sin”); He. 2:17 (hiláskomai; AV “make reconciliation”); 1 Jn. 2:2; 4:10 (hilasmós; AV “propitiation”; NEB “remedy”). The NEB has “the place of expiation” for hilasté̄rion in He. 9:5 (RSV “mercy seat”). “Expiation” focuses on the removal of sin, and “propitiation” on the appeasement of wrath. “Atonement” in Scripture encompasses both concepts. Expiation of sin is usually accomplished by sacrifice. The OT understands that expiation can be achieved also by intercession (Ex. 32:30), a burning coal from the heavenly altar (Isa. 6:6f), the death of the members of a guilty family (2 S. 21:3–6), loyalty and faithfulness (Prov. 16:6), or the purging out of idolatry along with captivity (Isa. 27:8f.). Expiation results in the reconciliation of God and the sinner by removing the cause of God’s wrath.

J. E. Hartley, “Expiate; Expiation,” ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988), 246.

My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. 2 He himself is the atoning sacrifice, for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 1 Jn 2:1–2.

Atonement