What Is Propitiation?
What Is Propitiation? Propitiation is the satisfaction of God's wrath against sin through Christ's sacrificial death.
Key verse: Romans 3:25 (KJV)
Propitiation is the satisfaction of God's wrath against sin through Christ's sacrificial death.
Propitiation is the satisfaction of God's wrath against sin through Christ's sacrificial death.
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood." — Romans 3:25 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
The word 'propitiation' appears in Romans 3:25 and 1 John 2:2. It means that Jesus' death on the cross satisfied God's righteous anger toward sin. Unlike pagan concepts of appeasing angry gods, biblical propitiation flows from God's own love — He provided the sacrifice Himself. This distinguishes Christianity: God does not demand payment He is unwilling to make. His justice and mercy meet perfectly at the cross.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness of Sins?
How God forgives sin and what the Bible says about receiving complete pardon through Christ.
Key Scripture References
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood."
"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Atonement?
The atonement is Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, which reconciles sinners to God.
What Is Justification in the Bible?
Justification is God's legal declaration that a sinner is righteous, based not on their own merit but on faith in Jesus Christ.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the doctrine that God exists as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in one divine being.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Is the Doctrine of Election?
Theology & Doctrine
What Is Covenant Theology?
Theology & Doctrine
What Is Anthropology in Theology?
Theology & Doctrine
Bible Verses About Propitiation
10 curated KJV verses
Propitiation (ἱλασμός (hilasmos))
The satisfaction of God's wrath through Christ's atoning sacrifice.
Bible Verses About Atonement
10 curated KJV verses
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Romans. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Romans on day 334 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is Propitiation?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.