Romans 3:25

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;

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};

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;

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.

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;

Romans 3:25 is a pivotal verse in the Apostle Paul's explanation of the gospel, detailing how humanity, declared universally sinful in the preceding verses, can be made right with God.

Context

This verse follows Paul's powerful declaration in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Having established the need for salvation outside of the law (Romans 3:21), Paul introduces God's solution through Jesus Christ, presented in this verse as the means of propitiation.

Key Themes

  • Propitiation: The central concept is that God "set forth [to be] a propitiation." This means Christ's sacrifice appeased God's wrath against sin. It wasn't just a passive act, but an active demonstration by God to deal with sin definitively.
  • Through Faith: Access to this propitiation is not through works or lineage, but "through faith in his blood." This emphasizes the crucial role of belief and trust in Jesus' atoning sacrifice. Salvation is received by grace through faith.
  • In His Blood: The "blood" of Christ signifies His sacrificial death. In the Old Testament, blood was essential for atonement, and Christ's shedding of blood fulfills and surpasses the Old Covenant sacrifices, providing a perfect and final atonement.
  • To Declare His Righteousness: God's action through Christ's sacrifice serves "to declare his righteousness." It shows that God is both just (punishing sin) and the justifier (making sinners righteous) through this single act. It upholds His holiness while providing salvation.
  • Remission of Sins: The result of this propitiation is "the remission of sins that are past." The Greek word for remission (*aphesis*) means a release or dismissal. Through Christ's sacrifice, sins previously committed are forgiven and released.
  • Through the Forbearance of God: This phrase acknowledges that God, in His patience, had previously "passed over" or delayed judgment on sins committed before Christ's atoning sacrifice. His forbearance paved the way for this ultimate display of righteousness and mercy in Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "propitiation" is hilasterion. This term is also used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) to refer to the "mercy seat" on the Ark of the Covenant, the place where the high priest sprinkled blood on the Day of Atonement. This connection highlights Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of that symbolic act, the true place where God's wrath is satisfied and mercy is found.

The word "remission" (*aphesis*) signifies a complete release or pardon, emphasizing the freedom from the penalty and guilt of sin that is granted through Christ.

Reflection and Application

Romans 3:25 assures believers that their salvation is based entirely on God's provision through Christ's sacrifice, received by faith. It underscores the seriousness of sin (requiring a divine sacrifice) and the depth of God's love and justice (providing the means for forgiveness). This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the doctrine of atonement and provides great assurance of forgiveness and peace with God for those who trust in Jesus.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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