Romans 3:25

KJV

Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

KJV (with Strong's)

Whom {G3739} God {G2316} hath set forth {G4388} to be a propitiation {G2435} through {G1223} faith {G4102} in {G1722} his {G846} blood {G129}, to {G1519} declare {G1732} his {G846} righteousness {G1343} for {G1223} the remission {G3929} of sins {G265} that are past {G4266}, through {G1722} the forbearance {G463} of God {G2316};

Complete Jewish Bible

God put Yeshua forward as the kapparah for sin through his faithfulness in respect to his bloody sacrificial death. This vindicated God’s righteousness; because, in his forbearance, he had passed over [with neither punishment nor remission] the sins people had committed in the past;

Berean Standard Bible

God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

American Standard Version

whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 3:25 stands as a foundational statement in Paul's exposition of the gospel, revealing God's unique provision for human sin. It declares that God publicly presented Jesus Christ as the means by which His righteous wrath against sin is appeased, a propitiation accessible through faith in Christ's sacrificial death. This divine act simultaneously upholds God's perfect justice and demonstrates His mercy by providing forgiveness for past sins, an act made possible by God's prior patient forbearance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 3:25 is strategically placed within Paul's comprehensive argument for the universal need for salvation and God's provision of it through Christ. Preceding this verse, Paul meticulously establishes the pervasive nature of sin, declaring that [both Jews and Gentiles are under the power of sin](/romans/3-9 "Romans 3:9 - All Under Sin") and that [all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - Universal Sin"). Having dismantled any human claim to righteousness through the law or works, Paul introduces God's divine solution, a righteousness "apart from the law" (Romans 3:21). Verse 25 then unveils the mechanism of this salvation, presenting Christ as the atoning sacrifice that satisfies divine justice, thus bridging the gap between humanity's sinfulness and God's holiness. It sets the stage for Paul's subsequent explanation of justification by faith alone in [Romans 3:26-31](/romans/3-26-31 "Romans 3:26-31 - Justification by Faith").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome included both Jewish Christians and Gentile believers, requiring him to articulate the gospel in terms that resonated with both backgrounds. For Jewish believers, the concept of "propitiation" (Greek: _hilastērion_) would immediately evoke the imagery of the "mercy seat" (Hebrew: _kapporeth_) on the Ark of the Covenant, where the high priest performed the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) rituals (cf. [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")). This ritual involved the sprinkling of blood to atone for the sins of the people, signifying God's presence and the place where His wrath was averted. For Gentiles, while the specific Jewish imagery might be less familiar, the concept of appeasing offended deities through sacrifice was common in pagan religions, though Paul radically redefines it here as God's own initiative, not human appeasement of an unwilling deity. The "forbearance of God" also speaks to the long history of God's patience with humanity's sin, from the time of Abraham to the giving of the Law, demonstrating His consistent character even before the full revelation of Christ's atoning work.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several critical theological themes central to Paul's epistle. The theme of **God's Righteousness** is paramount, as the verse declares that God's action through Christ serves "to declare his righteousness," demonstrating that God is both just in punishing sin and simultaneously the justifier of those who believe. **Propitiation** (or atonement) is another core theme, highlighting Christ's sacrificial death as the means by which God's wrath against sin is satisfied, making reconciliation possible. The theme of **Faith** is crucial, as access to this propitiation is "through faith in his blood," emphasizing that salvation is not earned by works but received by trusting in Christ's finished work, a concept elaborated in [Romans 4](/romans/4 "Romans 4 - Abraham Justified by Faith"). Finally, the theme of **God's Forbearance and Mercy** is evident, as God's patience with past sins (before Christ's full revelation) paved the way for this ultimate display of His justice and grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Propitiation (Greek, _hilastḗrion_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to appease" or "to make propitious," refers to an expiatory place or thing. In the context of the Septuagint, it is consistently used to translate the Hebrew _kapporeth_, the "mercy seat" or "atonement cover" on the Ark of the Covenant (e.g., [Exodus 25:17](/exodus/25-17 "Exodus 25:17 - The Mercy Seat")). By calling Christ the _hilastḗrion_, Paul identifies Him as the ultimate fulfillment of the mercy seat, the place where God's just wrath against sin is satisfied, and reconciliation is achieved through the shedding of blood. It emphasizes that God Himself provided the means for atonement.
* **Righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē_):** This term denotes equity of character or act, and specifically in Christian theology, justification. In Romans 3:25, it refers to God's inherent justice and moral perfection. The declaration of God's righteousness through Christ's propitiation means that God's character is vindicated; He is shown to be perfectly just even as He justifies the ungodly. This is not a compromise of His justice but a demonstration of it through the perfect satisfaction of its demands by Christ.
* **Forbearance (Greek, _anochḗ_):** Meaning "self-restraint" or "tolerance," this word describes God's patient withholding of immediate judgment for sins committed prior to Christ's atoning work. It highlights God's attribute of patience and long-suffering, allowing humanity to continue existing despite their sin, while simultaneously preparing the way for the decisive and ultimate solution to the problem of sin through Christ's sacrifice. This forbearance was not a condoning of sin, but a temporary suspension of full judgment, anticipating the cross.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whom God hath set forth":** This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign initiative. It was God who "set forth" or "publicly displayed" Jesus Christ. The Greek verb _protíthemai_ (G4388) can mean "to propose," "to purpose," or "to set forth publicly." In this context, it strongly implies a public, deliberate, and divinely ordained display of Christ as the solution to sin.
* **"[to be] a propitiation":** This identifies the purpose and nature of Christ's public display. He was presented as the means of propitiation, the atoning sacrifice that satisfies God's righteous wrath against sin. This is not humanity appeasing an angry God, but God Himself providing the means by which His holiness is upheld and sin is dealt with decisively.
* **"through faith in his blood":** This specifies the means by which individuals access this propitiation. It is not through works of the law, but "through faith"—personal trust and reliance—"in his blood." "His blood" is a metonymy for Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, the ultimate act of atonement. This highlights the centrality of Christ's death and the necessity of personal faith for salvation.
* **"to declare his righteousness":** The purpose of Christ's propitiatory death is not only to save sinners but also to publicly demonstrate and vindicate God's own righteousness. In providing Christ as the propitiation, God shows Himself to be perfectly just, upholding His holy standards even as He forgives sinners.
* **"for the remission of sins that are past":** The immediate effect of this declaration of God's righteousness through Christ is the "remission" (Greek: _páresis_, G3929) or "passing over" of previously committed sins. This refers to the sins committed before Christ's atoning work, which God, in His forbearance, had temporarily overlooked or deferred judgment upon. The cross retroactively validates God's patience.
* **"through the forbearance of God":** This final clause explains how God could "pass over" sins in the past without compromising His justice. It was "through the forbearance" (patience, self-restraint) of God. He did not immediately punish every sin but patiently waited until the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ could be offered, thereby demonstrating that His past "passing over" was not an indifference to sin but a purposeful delay anticipating the cross.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several significant literary devices in Romans 3:25 to convey his profound theological message. Central to the verse is **Symbolism**, particularly in the phrase "through faith in his blood." "Blood" here is not literal but a powerful symbol representing Christ's sacrificial death, echoing the Old Testament sacrificial system where blood signified life given for atonement. The term "propitiation" itself is deeply symbolic, referencing the **Mercy Seat** (hilastērion) of the Ark of the Covenant, thereby establishing Christ as the ultimate, living fulfillment of that ancient, symbolic place of atonement. Paul also utilizes **Theological Argumentation**, building logically from the universal problem of sin (Romans 3:23) to God's divine solution in Christ, demonstrating the coherence of God's justice and mercy. The verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism** or **Balance** by emphasizing two key outcomes of Christ's work: the declaration of God's righteousness and the remission of sins, showing how God is both "just and the justifier" (Romans 3:26).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 3:25 is a theological cornerstone, articulating the heart of the gospel: God's righteous solution to humanity's sin problem. It underscores the severity of sin, which necessitated a divine, propitiatory sacrifice, and simultaneously magnifies the depth of God's love and justice. This verse clarifies that salvation is not a compromise of God's character but a profound demonstration of it, where His holy wrath against sin is satisfied by Christ's death, allowing Him to extend mercy and forgiveness without diminishing His own righteousness. It reveals that God's forbearance in the Old Testament was not an oversight but a purposeful, patient waiting for the ultimate revelation of His justice and grace in Christ.

* [Leviticus 16:15-16](/leviticus/16-15-16 "Leviticus 16:15-16 - Blood on the Mercy Seat")
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")
* [1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ Our Propitiation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 3:25 offers profound assurance and comfort to the believer. It reminds us that our standing with God is not based on our own flawed efforts or merit, but entirely on God's perfect provision through Christ's sacrifice. This truth should cultivate deep gratitude for God's incredible love and justice, which found a way to forgive us while upholding His own holy character. Understanding Christ as our propitiation means we no longer live under the condemnation of sin, but in the freedom of forgiveness and reconciliation with a holy God. This should motivate us to live lives that reflect the righteousness we have received, not to earn salvation, but out of love and obedience to the One who "set forth" His Son for us. It also challenges us to reflect God's forbearance and patience in our own relationships, extending grace to others as we have received it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Christ as "propitiation" deepen your appreciation for God's justice and mercy?**
* **In what ways does "faith in his blood" challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation?**
* **How does God's "forbearance" in the past inform your view of His character today?**
* **What practical implications does being "declared righteous" through Christ have for your daily life and interactions?**

### FAQ

**What does "propitiation" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Romans 3:25, "propitiation" (Greek: _hilastḗrion_) signifies that Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross fully satisfied God's righteous wrath against sin. It means that Christ appeased God's just anger, not by changing God's disposition from wrath to love, but by perfectly fulfilling the demands of God's holiness and justice. It is God Himself who "set forth" Christ as this means of atonement, demonstrating His love and justice simultaneously. The term also carries the rich Old Testament imagery of the "mercy seat" (cf. [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")), where atonement was made and God's presence was revealed in mercy.

**How does God's "forbearance" relate to the "remission of sins that are past"?**

Answer: God's "forbearance" refers to His patient self-restraint, His willingness to delay or "pass over" the full judgment for sins committed before Christ's death. Throughout the Old Testament, God demonstrated incredible patience with humanity's sin, accepting sacrifices that foreshadowed Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Romans 3:25 explains that this past "remission" or "passing over" of sins was not an act of ignoring sin, but a temporary measure made possible by God's forbearance, anticipating the perfect and final atonement that would be accomplished through Christ's blood. The cross retroactively validated God's justice in passing over those sins, showing that He was always righteous in His dealings with humanity, even before the ultimate payment was made.

**Is "faith in his blood" a literal act of believing in physical blood?**

Answer: No, "faith in his blood" is not a literal belief in physical blood. In biblical language, "blood" is a powerful metonymy for life, and specifically, for a sacrificial death that atones for sin. It refers to the shedding of Christ's life as a substitutionary sacrifice on the cross. Therefore, "faith in his blood" means placing one's complete trust and reliance on Jesus Christ's atoning death as the sole basis for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. It emphasizes the absolute necessity and efficacy of Christ's sacrifice for salvation, as [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood") states, "without shedding of blood is no remission."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 3:25 powerfully presents Jesus Christ as the epicenter of God's redemptive plan, fulfilling all that the Old Testament sacrificial system anticipated. He is the ultimate "propitiation," the true mercy seat where God's righteous wrath against sin is fully satisfied. The Old Covenant rituals, particularly the Day of Atonement with the high priest sprinkling blood on the mercy seat (as described in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")), were but shadows pointing to Christ. In Him, the perfect Lamb of God (as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), God Himself provided the once-for-all sacrifice, rendering all previous offerings obsolete. Through His shed "blood," Christ accomplished what no animal sacrifice ever could: He perfectly atoned for sin, removing its guilt and penalty. His death not only secured forgiveness for believers but also "declared" God's righteousness, proving that God is both just in punishing sin and simultaneously the justifier of those who believe in Jesus (as seen in [Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God is Just and Justifier")). Christ's work on the cross retroactively validated God's "forbearance" in passing over sins committed before His advent, demonstrating that God's patience was always purposeful, leading to the ultimate revelation of His justice and grace in His Son. Thus, Christ is the complete and final answer to humanity's sin, the perfect bridge between a holy God and sinful humanity, making peace through the blood of His cross (as affirmed in [Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Peace Through His Blood")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:24

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

1 Peter 1:18

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

1 Peter 1:20

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1 John 4:10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Colossians 1:20

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.