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    In Context

    What Is Atonement in the Bible — In Biblical Context

    Atonement is the work of Christ on the cross by which He satisfied God's justice and reconciled sinners to God.

    Quick Answer

    Atonement is the work of Christ on the cross by which He satisfied God's justice and reconciled sinners to God.

    "By whom we have now received the atonement." — Romans 5:11 (KJV)

    The Biblical Context

    The word 'atonement' literally means 'at-one-ment' — bringing two estranged parties together. In the Old Testament, atonement was made through the blood of sacrificial animals, especially on the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). But those sacrifices could never take away sin permanently; they pointed forward to a greater sacrifice. The Lord Jesus Christ made the full and final atonement when He shed His blood on the cross. His death paid the penalty for sin, satisfied the righteous wrath of God, and opened the way for sinners to be forgiven and brought near. 'Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures' (1 Corinthians 15:3). The atonement is the very heart of the gospel.

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, Romans 5:11, sits inside Romans 5. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "By whom we have now received the atonement."
    — Romans 5:11 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    Leviticus 17:11
    "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls."
    Hebrews 9:12
    "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

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