Les Feldick Bible Study

Where else is the word "propitiation" used in the Bible besides Romans?

The word “propitiation” appears only one more time beyond Romans, in the little first letter of John, chapter 2, verse 2, where Christ is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but for the whole world. These are the only two places the term is used.

Les explains that the word propitiation is only used one more time in Scripture besides Romans, and he directs us to the little first letter of John, chapter 2. He says that as far as he knows, these are the only two places the word is used, and that it comes from the Greek word halasterion. In 1 John 2:1-2, the text speaks of an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and then declares that He is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but for the whole world. Les ties this back to Romans, noting that the same word popped up there, and he emphasizes that Christ is the propitiation for believers and also for everyone. That universal scope is why he says he is not a dyed-in-the-wool Calvinist, since some Calvinists maintain His redemption was only for those who would believe it.

More Questions

Where does the word 'propitiation' appear in the Bible?

The word 'propitiation' appears in Scripture in only two places: Romans chapter 3 and 1 John chapter 2.