Old Doxoblogy

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Blog Alert! Expiation, Propitiation: Forgiveness and Justice

Here's a comment I left over at Brad William's blog, Sojourner. Go over and check out his latest post titled, Expiation, Propitiation: Forgiveness and Justice, and leave your comments.

Brad,
I would tend to think that either word would be an appropriate translation for the word transliterated 'hilasmos'.

Determining which word would be appropriate in context however, is a different story.
Propitiation has more to do with the one being appeased and expiation with the reason for the appeasment, although both aspects can be found in both words.

That is what makes this passage difficult. Both aspects are mentioned.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." (1Jo 2:1-2)
In verse 1 we see Jesus as our advocate before the Father (the propitiatory aspect) and in verse 2 we see Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins (the expiatory aspect).

I would tend to translate the word, just like most other translations have translated it, as 'propitiation'. It seems to fit the context better since the main thought seems to be Jesus as our advocate before the Father.

Am I close?

3 comments:

Gordon said...

Based upon my study of the word and text in question, I would tend to agree with you. Both aspects of hilasmos are critical to redemption, and both are provided exclusively in Jesus.

I recently preached from Romans 3:25 where propitiation actually comes from hilasterion which refers to a covering, specifically the lid of the ark of the covenant. In effect Christ becomes both the mercy seat and the atonement offering of the new covenant.

mark pierson said...

Amen Jeremy!

Amen Gordon!

Brad Williams said...

[insert shameless plug] If you guys think Jeremy said it good, you should read what I wrote. [/end shameless plug]