What Is the Satisfaction of Christ — In Biblical Context

The Biblical Context

The satisfaction of Christ, also called the satisfaction theory of the atonement, is one of the most important theological concepts for understanding how salvation was accomplished. Developed most fully by Anselm of Canterbury in his work 'Cur Deus Homo' ('Why God Became Man'), it teaches that Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's honor and justice, which sin had violated. The biblical foundation is extensive. The law requires that 'the soul that sinneth, it shall die.' Sin creates a debt that must be paid — either by the sinner or by a substitute. The Old Testament sacrificial system pointed toward this reality: 'Without shedding of blood is no remission.' But the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins; it only covered them temporarily, pointing forward to the perfect sacrifice. Jesus' death satisfied divine justice in several ways. First, it satisfied the penalty for sin. 'The wages of sin is death,' and Christ died in the place of sinners, bearing the punishment they deserved. 'He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.' Second, it satisfied the demands of the law. The law requires perfect obedience, and Christ lived a life of perfect righteousness that is credited to believers through faith — 'the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.' Third, it satisfied God's wrath. Sin provokes the holy anger of God against evil, and this wrath must be propitiated — turned away by a sufficient sacrifice. 'Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.' Fourth, it satisfied the debt owed by sinners. Colossians declares that God 'forgave us all our trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.' The debt is canceled because Christ paid it in full. The language of satisfaction is commercial — Christ paid what was owed. But it is also personal — He gave Himself. 'The Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.' The satisfaction of Christ is not merely a legal transaction but a demonstration of divine love. 'God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' Because Christ's satisfaction is complete, believers can rest in full assurance. 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.' The debt is paid, the penalty borne, the wrath propitiated, and the law fulfilled. Nothing more needs to be added to Christ's finished work. 'It is finished.'

Where It Sits in Scripture

Supporting Passages