Definition:
The term "propitiate" refers to the act of appeasing or satisfying the wrath of a deity, thereby restoring a favorable relationship between the deity and the worshiper. In the context of the Bible, propitiation involves the appeasement of God's righteous anger against sin through a sacrificial offering.

Biblical Context:
In the Old Testament, the concept of propitiation is closely associated with the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. The sacrifices, particularly those on the Day of Atonement, were intended to atone for the sins of the people and restore their relationship with God. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, where the high priest would make atonement for the sins of Israel through the sacrifice of a bull and a goat, symbolically transferring the sins of the people onto the scapegoat.

In the New Testament, the concept of propitiation is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "hilasterion," often translated as "propitiation," is used to describe Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. This act of propitiation is central to the Christian understanding of salvation, as it satisfies the demands of God's justice while demonstrating His love and mercy.

Key Bible Verses:

1. Romans 3:25 : "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand."

· This verse highlights that God presented Jesus as the propitiation for our sins. Through faith in His blood, believers receive the righteousness of God, as Jesus' sacrifice satisfies the divine justice required for sin.

2. 1 John 2:2 : "He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

· Here, the apostle John emphasizes that Jesus is the propitiation not only for the sins of believers but for the entire world. This underscores the universal scope of Christ's atoning work.

3. 1 John 4:10 : "And this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins."

· This passage reveals the motivation behind God's provision of propitiation: His love for humanity. It is not humanity's love for God that initiates salvation, but God's love that provides the means for reconciliation through Jesus.

Theological Significance:
Propitiation is a foundational concept in Christian theology, as it addresses the problem of sin and the holiness of God. God's holiness and justice demand that sin be punished, yet His love and mercy provide a way for sinners to be reconciled to Him. Through the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's wrath is satisfied, and believers are granted forgiveness and eternal life.

The doctrine of propitiation underscores the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice. It affirms that salvation is entirely a work of God, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This act of divine grace calls believers to respond in faith, gratitude, and obedience, recognizing the cost of their redemption and the depth of God's love.1. (v.) To appease to render favorable; to conciliate; to atone.2435. hilasterion -- propitiatory
... 2435 (a substantival adjective, derived from 2433 , "to propitiate") -- the ; the
lid of the golden ark (the ) where the blood of a vicarious lamb appeased ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2435.htm - 7k

That the Obscenities of those Plays which the Romans Consecrated ...
... Chapter 27."That the Obscenities of Those Plays Which the Romans Consecrated in
Order to Propitiate Their Gods, Contributed Largely to the Overthrow of ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 27 that the obscenities of.htm

And we are not to Believe in Demons, Although Celsus Urges us to ...
... In the same way, we are not to propitiate demons; for it is impossible to propitiate
beings that are wicked and that seek the injury of men. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxvi and we are.htm

The Poets Also Bear Testimony to the Truth.
... "That all may be secure,. Him ever they propitiate first and last,. Hail ... wisdom;
But turn and retrace your steps, and propitiate God.". ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter vii the poets also bear.htm

The Birth of Saint George.
... faithful Squire, De Fistycuff. They bore offerings of gold and silver and
precious stones with which to propitiate her. For many days ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter one the birth of.htm

Psalm LXV.
... 6. "The discourses of unjust men have prevailed over us, and our iniquities Thou
shalt propitiate" [2552] (ver.3)....Every man, in whatsoever place he is born ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxv.htm

Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the ...
... I was overwhelmed with sorrow and fear, and said to myself, "If this sin is assigned
to me, how can I be saved, or how shall I propitiate God in regard to my ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision first against filthy and.htm

The Revocation of the Rulers.
... of defeat on Galerius' part, and was undoubtedly caused in large part by a
superstitious desire, brought on by his sickness, to propitiate the God of the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xvii the revocation of the.htm

Hebrews ix. 24-26
... "To appear," he says, "in the presence of God for us." What is "for us"? He went
up (he means) with a sacrifice which had power to propitiate the Father. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xvii hebrews ix 24-26.htm

God Desires not Sacrifices, but Righteousness.
... Or by presenting gold or purple robes,. Or images of ivory and gems; If thus he
thinks he may propitiate God,. He errs, and shows himself a silly one. ...
/.../justin on the sole government of god /chapter iv god desires not sacrifices.htm

Moreover, Flies Falling into Myrrh, and Suffocated Therein, Make ...
... But if ever a hostile spirit fall upon thee, my friend, withstand it courageously,
knowing that God is able to propitiate [106] even a mighty multitude of ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter x moreover flies falling.htm

Propitiate (1 Occurrence)
...Propitiate (1 Occurrence). ... For he said, I will propitiate him with the gift that
goes before me, and afterwards I will see his face: perhaps he will accept me. ...
/p/propitiate.htm - 6k

Atonement (112 Occurrences)
... one is to make satisfaction for his offences (Exodus 32:30; Leviticus 4:26; 5:16;
Numbers 6:11), and, as regards the person, to reconcile, to propitiate God in ...
/a/atonement.htm - 101k

Prophet's (22 Occurrences)

/p/prophet's.htm - 13k

Propitiation (4 Occurrences)

/p/propitiation.htm - 15k

Sacrifice (300 Occurrences)
... of great calamity, anxiety and danger, parents sacrificed their children as the
greatest and most costly offering which they could make to propitiate the anger ...
/s/sacrifice.htm - 101k

Conciliate (1 Occurrence)
... win over; to appease; to gain friendship from a state of hostility; to gain the
good will or favor of; to make friendly; to mollify; to propitiate; to appease. ...
/c/conciliate.htm - 7k

Caiaphas (9 Occurrences)
... populace was spent (compare Matthew 26:5), and then by the single sacrifice of Jesus
they could at once get rid of a dangerous rival and propitiate the frowns ...
/c/caiaphas.htm - 14k

Creeds
... a life. Men first seek to propitiate the Deity by some outward act and express
their devotion in some external ceremony. Next they ...
/c/creeds.htm - 28k

Ate (138 Occurrences)
... 5. (pp) As the ending of a verb, it means to make, to cause, to act, etc.; as, to
propitiate (to make propitious); to animate (to give life to). ...
/a/ate.htm - 37k

Augury (5 Occurrences)
... Among the Romans as among other nations (Babylonians, etc.), a sacrifice was offered
before omens were taken, so as to propitiate the gods. III. ...
/a/augury.htm - 17k

If Jesus is our atonement, why did He die at Passover instead of the Day of Atonement? | GotQuestions.org

What is a peace offering / fellowship offering? | GotQuestions.org

Why do I need to be saved? | GotQuestions.org

Propitiate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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