WORDS OF GRACE: PROPITIATION

Hebrews 9:1–15 NASB95PARA

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. 3 Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, 7 but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:1-

Hebrews 9 NASB95PARA

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. 3 Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, 7 but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. 18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Romans 3:2

Romans 3:24–25 NASB95PARA

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. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

Romans 3:20–25 NASB95PARA

20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 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. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

Romans 8:23–24 NASB95PARA

23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

Romans 3:19–26 NASB95PARA

19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 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. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 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.

This portion of Romans is a Holy Spirit dissertation on the results of the fall and the results of grace.

The previous two weeks we have looked at the words, “redemption” and “reconciliation”.

This morning we will continue to expand on that and bring into the picture “propitiation”

These three words will work together to show us depth into the work and the completion of the work of Christ.

Remember, we are not at this point discussing anything of mans doing.

We are looking at what God has done:

Redemption - The finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ as far as sin is concerned (sinward) - we covered this last week

Propitiation - The finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ as far as God is concerned (Godward) - we will cover this next week

Reconciliation - the finished work of the Lord Jesus as far as man is concerned (manward) - God is not reconciled to us, we are reconciled to God. That is, we are completley restored to a former state. From complete alienation to complet reconciliation.

All three of these words apply fully to those who belong to God.

Now we come to the Epistle of Romans.

This portion of Romans is a Holy Spirit dissertation on the results of the fall and the results of grace.

PREVIOUS CONTEXT:

In the first two chapters of Romans we a study looking at the fall and the total depravity of man.

You can’t hold to that and the synergistic gospel and hold to total depravity. It is inconssistant and illogical.

The argument of the fall and depravity of man, ends at verse 20 where the word sin is used for the first time.

Sin = is not aiming and missing the mark, but the word actually describes the inability to even reach it.

One who does not even have the stregnth to pull the bow back.

INTERPRETIVE NOTE:

We are not trying to see what Paul is saying but what God is saying.

It is a impossibility for what is said here to contradict with other scripture. It all has the same author (the Holy Spirit) and He cannot contradict himself.

ROMANS 3:21

Romans 3:21 NASB95PARA

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

But now = The great change between the total depravity of man to the righteousness of God

apart from = separate from the law

righteousness of God = Gods righteousness (a genitive without a preposition)…

there is no preposition “of” in the Greek, that is part of the gentative.

This means the Bible student, the translator, which is you, have to decide which kind of a genetive that is to be understood as.

I believe this to be simply a possessive genitive.

“But now God’s righteousness”

A proper literal translation of the genetive would be “of God”…

A proper literal translation of the genetive would be “of God”…They did not have a possesive in the Greek. There was no apostrophe ‘s’

They did not have a possessive in the Greek. There was no apostrophe ‘s’

APPROPRIATE TRANSLATION:

But now, God’s righteousness, separate from the law, has been completely revealed (manifested).

Has been manifested

has been completely revealed

perfect passive: Present reality of a past event.

This is not saying that it is going on now.

What was manifested? Jesus Christ

God in coming as a man, not only kept the law perfectly, but He kept it entirely, meaning: He suffered it’s penalty.

God in coming as a man, not only kept the law perfectly, but He kept it entirley, meaning: He suffered it’s penalty.

Christ not only kept the law in it’s perfection, but also in it’s penalty.

Christ was cursed, because He took upon Himself our sins, He died in our place. Every aspect of the law fufilled.

Only God could fulfill both the perfection and penalty of the law.

The righteousness of God, separate from the law, is God all mighty, incarnate, as our kinsman redeemer, fulfilling the law perfectly and bearing it’s complete penalty, so that we stand before God spotless.

The righteousness of God, separate from the law, is God all mighty incarnate as our kinsman redeemer, fulfilling the law perfectly and bearing it’s complete penalty, so that we stand before God spotless.

being Witnessed by the Law and the Prophets:

even (God’s) righteousness, which is by faith of Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

(participle active is concurrent with the main verb if present: main verb = manifested)

The OT is where we learn that the inocent dies for the guilty in a substitutionary manner.

That the seed of the woman will bruise the head of the serpant.

The prophets declaration that God will reveal His righteousness is bearing witness even now.

Christ not only kept the law in it’s perfection, but also in it’s penalty.

Christ was cursed, because He took upon Himself our sins, He died in our place. Every aspect of the law fufilled.

Only God could fulfill both the perfection and penalty of the law.

The righteousness of God, separate from the law, is God all mighty incarnate as our kinsman redeemer, fulfilling the law perfectly and bearing it’s complete penalty, so that we stand before God spotless.

Romans 3:22 NASB95PARA

22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Habakkuk 2:4 NASB95PARA

4 “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.

even (God’s) righteousness, which is by faith of Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Is the genitive objective or subjective?

When the greek word pistis (faith) occurs with a genitive and separate from a preposition it is always subjective.

When the greek word pistos occurs with a genitive and separate from a preposition it is always subjective.

Here, we have a genitive, with the greek word “pistis” (faith) and there is no preposition there.

A reasonable translation would seem to be:

Here, we have a genitive, with the greek word “pistis” (faith) and there is no preposition there.

A reasonable translation would seem to be:

"even God’s righteousness, which is by means of Christ faithfulness.”

The word through/by faith, in verse 22 is Gk: dia - it means: “by means of”

APPROPRIATE TRANSLATION:

“even God’s righteousness, which is by means of Christ faithfulness.”

That is what the Greek says.

In that translation you no longer have a contradiction of the text whereby God’s soverignty all of a sudden become subservient to mans desire.

Rather the text, in keeping with what the Holy Spirit is revealing, gives to us a definition of God’s righteousness: The faithfulness of Jesus Christ.

I caution you against taking that “by means of” phrase and interpreting it as saying that God’s righteousness is by means of the action of a totally depraved human being. If that is your interpretation, well, lets just say, you might as well ignore the verse. The scary part is that, that without question is modern Christianity, that “God’s righteousness is manifested through mans faith”…oh…God have mercy when that becomes us.

I caution you against taking that “by means of” phrase and interpreting it as saying that God’s righteousness is by means of the action of a totally depraved human being.

If that is your interpretation, well, lets just say, you might as well ignore the verse.

The scary part is that, that without question is modern Christianity, that “God’s righteousness is manifested through mans faith”…oh…God have mercy when that becomes us.

“God’s righteousness is revealed by means of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.” - Praise God! That is wonderful.

Friends, it was God’s righteousness that was open to investigation, not mans. There is no debate. Man is not righteous. Man is wicked.

Praise God, that the righteousness of God was displayed as to fufill the law perfectly and entirley.

In that strong display we have hope. In that perfect evidence we have peace. In that case closed verdict we have joy!

Why would we want to depart from the peace, the rest, the joy, the gospel of the realization that Jesus paid it all?

SUMMARY APPROPRIATE TRANSLATION:

But now, God’s righteousness, separate from the law, has been completely revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even God’s righteousness, which is by means of Christ faithfulness,

unto all and to all those who believe; for there is no distinction:

The question of scholars:

How can this be true that it is to everybody and upon everybody? Well because it doesn’t say that. It says unto all those who believe. Who is the all to? Those who believe.

How can this be true that it is to everybody and upon everybody?

Well because it doesn’t say that. It says unto all those who believe. Who is the all to? Those who believe.

Please note: it does not say that is upon them “if” they believe. You cannot conclude from this that one has to believe before it is unto them and upon them. It says just the opposite of that. not if, but, “it is upon all who believe, for there is no distinction (Jew or Gentile).

Please note: it does not say that is upon them “if” they believe.

You cannot conclude from this that one has to believe before it is unto them and upon them.

It says just the opposite of that. not if, but, “it is upon all who believe, for there is no distinction (Jew or Gentile).

Why do we turn these verses around in todays church?

for there is no distinction;

Why do we turn these verses around in todays church?

Because man wants to exalt man and depress God.

Because man wants to exalt man and depress God. Every-time you push man up, you push God down. You had to be made a sheep before you could believe, be planted as wheat before you could grow. If you are not one of God’s then you cannot believe. The finished work of Christ is unto all and upon all who believe, because they are His sheep.

Every-time you push man up, you push God down.

You had to be made a sheep before you could believe, be planted as wheat before you could grow. If you are not one of God’s then you cannot believe.

The finished work of Christ is unto all and upon all who believe, because they are His sheep.

Why does one not believe according to Christ the Lord to the theologians of His day: “because you are not my sheep”,

In the same way, the next verse in the Gospels account demonstrates that you believe because you are His sheep: “my sheep hear my voice”.

In the same way, the next verse demonstrates that you believe because you are His sheep: “my sheep hear my voice”.

The righteousness of God, which was imputed to you, How? By He that knew no sin was made to be sin for us, that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Who are the we that are made the righteousness of God in Him? It is those that believe. And you cannot say “if” they believe then this will be done. What it says is, that it is done for those who already believe because they were chosen in Christ before the faithfulness of the world.

The righteousness of God which is in the faithfulness of Christ.

You are redeemed because He who is faithful, died in your place and beloved, hear this, in those who believe, there is no distinction, no room for boasting, the righteousness is all of Christ:

Romans 3:23 NASB95PARA

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

vs. 23 For all have sinned -

vs. 23 For all have sinned - aorist active (not all are sinning) (sinner saved by grace is not in the Bible. God calls Lot rightesous. Sodom vexed his righteous soul…I am a saint who sins)

aorist active

context of vs 23 “falling short” is the sheep of God - everyone who believes....not every human being

it is interesting that it does not say all are sinning

You have all heard, sinner saved by grace, used in the present tense of Christians, but that is not in the Bible.

God in Christ doesn’t call me a sinner.

God calls Lot “rightesous Lot”. Sodom vexed his righteous soul…I am a saint who sins)

2 Peter 2:7–8 NASB95PARA

7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men 8 (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds),

So…more rightly I would say of myself not that I am a sinner, but that I am a saint who sins.

short of the glory of God -

present passive (made to come short)

The idea is not shooting at a target and missing it. It is not even having the stregnth to reach the target.

context of vs 23 “falling short” is the sheep of God - everyone who believes....not every human being

The question to be asked which you will seldom hear preached upon is: What is the glory of God?

I don’t know what it is, It is undefinable…how can we behold it?

The best I know to do isn’t to try and free think into my own reasoning but to look at the word:

Glory is genetive (meaning of or from)

It is God’s glory

The word for glory is: Doxa (gk) means opinion…

did they come short of the right opinion of God?

I know repentance is to make the mind to think rightly about God…to have the right opinion.

When we sin, we fall short of godly thought and in our own thinking guess what…? We all have the wrong opinion

(the judgment formed within the mind).

Do you logically consider yourself dead to sin, do you know that sin shall not have dominion over you. You are held in the hand of s sovereign God.

Have you ceased from fighting your own battles?

Even those who think they worship God have the wrong opinion.

I offer to you that the right opinion, God’s opinion, that is to say the right forming of judgment, is found not in our own thought, but in a simple approach to the Word and who God (not man) has declared Himself to be.

our opinion of God leads us to the wrong opinion of what we should be doing.

Our opinion of God leads us to the wrong opinion of what we should be doing.

It is God’s glory

Romans 3:24 NASB95PARA

24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

being justified as a gift

without a cause

The word justified contrary to modern teaching, does not mean declared righteous even though one isn’t. It means made righteous and thus you are righteous.

Sanctification is not the process of being made righteous - God has declared you righteous because He has made you righteous. You are justified.

sanctified is not the process of being made rightouteous - God has declared you righteous because He has made you righteous.

by His grace

instramental-dative or dative of means in gk meaning by means of His grace -

meaning by means of His grace - justification is by His grace not your belief

justification is by His grace not your belief

don’t be a palagist - arminist - don’t put synigism in your salvation.

don’t be a palagist - arminianism - don’t put synergism in your salvation.

The grace, the redemption resides in Christ Jesus

Through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ -

Redeemer should be of our most precious words.

Remember to understand this as a ransom.

redemption - Redeemer should be of our most precious words. Remeber to understand this as a ransom. This is never seperate from the paying of a price. This payment was made in Christ Jesus. You paid no part of it. It is paid, perfectly and completley and thus you are made righteous. Transaction done.

This is never separate from the paying of a price.

This payment was made in Christ Jesus. You paid no part of it.

It is paid, perfectly and completely and thus you are made righteous. Transaction done.

God displayed Christ ransom publicly. No one else put this forth, not Ceasar, not Pilot, but God did as

God displayed Christ ransom publicly. No one else put this forth, not Jew, not Greek, not Pilot, but God did as a...

Romans 3:25 NASB95PARA

25 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;

This is now a Holy Spirit disortation on the results of the fall and the

Propitiotory - hilasterion -

a place where God could meet man. (that is in the faithfulness displayed through the blood of Jesus Christ- the life He gave)

hilasterion

The Ark

We have to go back to The Ark of the Covenant here:

Made of Wood = humanity of Christ

Overlaid with Gold = diety of Christ

Inside the Ark was the law = Condemnation of Man

On top was the mercy seat = where with the shedding and application of blood God can meet man.

This was done every year on the day of atonement by the High Priest only.

God set forth the propitiatory. The place of meeting, where man could meet God.

There is only one way to meet God. God set forth that way. That way is Christ alone.

God set forth the propitiatory. The place of meeting, where man could meet God. There is only one way to meet God. God set forth that way. That way is Christ alone.

We meet God in Jesus Christ and no place else.

That is by means of faith or through faith being the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.

Because of Christ faithfulness we stand before God without spot, blemish or charge.

That faithfulness displayed in Christ, demonstrates the righteousness of God and His forbearance.

Romans 3:25 NASB95PARA

25 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;

Jesu

Propitiatory - a place where God can meet man

to demonstrate/to declare

Why did Christ come to die?

To demonstrate/declare God’s righteousness.

God had overlooked sin, he had showed forbearance, but Christ demonstrated His righteousness in doing this.

It was God’s righteousness on trial, God’s righteousness on display, and God righteousness as proven perfect in establishing the Law through the faithfulness of Christ.

Sin does not, cannot, has not ever driven anyone to grace.

God’s grace is first seen in God’s froberance, in God’s coming, and in God’s establishing a place of meeting.

Notice: Adams sin did not drive him to God. Adams sin, sent Adam fleeing from God, hiding from God. The first demonstration of God’s grace is that God came to find Adam and then clothed them with a blood sacrifice.

In our fleeing God has come to us and clothed us in the righteousness of God. He has made a place of meeting.

God has made for us who believe “propitiation” a place where the His wrath is appeased and thus a place where we can meet God, and that place is in Christ alone.

But now, God’s righteousness, separate from the law (doing what the law could not - and thus establishing it), has been completely revealed, being witnessed (testified to) by the Law and the Prophets, even God’s righteousness, which is by means of Christ faithfulness, for all those who believe;

for there is no distinction (Jew or Greek); for all (all believers) have sinned and fall short of the righteous judgment of God - (thus all believers) being declared righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God did set forth a propitiation (a mercy seat, a place of meeting), through the faithfulness of His blood (in the full keeping of the law - a worthy substitute- and the fulfillment of the penalty - a worthy substitute made ),

This was done to display His His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over of the former sins (it was thus God’s righteousness in question) -

For (because of) the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at this present time:

God is just and the justifier of the one who is of the faith (faithfulness) of Jesus.

WORDS OF GRACE: PROPITIATION

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