Lesson #1

             Propitiation  Romans 3:23-25

Related scripture:  Romans 5:12; Genesis 2:17, 3:6, 3:19, 5:5; 1 Kings 8:46; Eccl. 7:20; Isaiah
64:5(6);
 Gal. 3:13; Ephes. 1:7; Hebrews 9:15;Leviticus 16:15, *17:11*, Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:11-12

"Propitiation," neither this noun nor the verb "to propitiate" is used frequently in Scripture. 
In fact, if you use a modern translation you probably won't see them anywhere.  
They are not words we use in every day speech either.  But they are very important 
words, and for the purpose of this study we shall refer to the King James Version, 
which renders the Greek verb hilaskomai 'to propitiate' or 'to make propitiation.'  
What does it mean?  It means the turning away of anger; it is a personal word; 
one propitiates a person.  A common relacement for propitiation is expiate, 
its concept being of an impersonal nature; one expiates a sin or a crime.  
For us to fully understand what propiation means, we must see that it is
a personal process.  G-d is angry when people sin, and that if they are to 
be forgiven, something must be done about that anger.  Furthermore,  the 
death of Messiah is the means of removing the divine wrath from sinners.

Let's go on now to look at Roman 3:23-25.

Vs. 23 - "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of G-d..."  G-d's word is clear, 
we are ALL sinners, no matter how nice or good a person we try to be, 
we can't be good enough.  It's not that we can't attempt to be good or nice, 
for G-d has placed His moral code within our hearts; we inately
know the difference between good and evil.  But we fall far short.

Sin entered the creation through one man, Adam (Romans 5:12).  
The entire human race was plunged into sin with Adam, whether Jew or Gentile.  
Adam disobeyed G-d's command in the Garden of Eden not to eat
from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:17, 3:6), 
the result of his sin was death for G-d decreed death as the punishment 
for sin (Gen. 2:17, 3:19, 5:5).  That death was three-fold; the
death of personal relationship with G-d; physical death; spiritual death 
which brought with it the wrath, judgment, condemnation and eternal 
separation from G-d.

This sinful state has passed through Adam to every subsequent generation, 
we are born with it, with all its inclinations and desires.  
Our very natures are corrupted and polluted, which does not necessarily
mean that we are incapable of doing good works, deeds, mitzvot; but G-d 
cannot credit those good works to the sinner's account as good 
because in the unregenerate state nothing is or can be motivated by
a true unadulterated love of G-d and desire to do His will.  
We are all guilty of Adam's sin of apostasy, his guilt has been 
imputed to us, so that we are born guilty and worthy of death 
as the penalty for our own sin.  Thus we are guilty on three accounts;  
of Adam's sin of apostasy; guilty of possessing a sinful nature, 
even though there is no choice involved; and of course, we are guilty 
of all the actual sinful deeds we commit as individuals.  
(1 Kings 8:46, Eccl. 7:20, Isaiah 64:5[6])

Not only did all sin, but all also fall short.  The verb in Greek 
is in the present tense, stressing continuing action.  
It can be translated "keep on falling short."  The fact is that 
as a sinner not a single person can measure up to the glory of G-d 
by his own efforts.  G-d's desire is that we become
like Him, that is, Messiah-like.  That can only happen through the 
New Birth.

Vs. 24 - "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption 
that is in Messiah Yeshua"  Without us earning or deserving it, 
G-d has stepped in with His provided righteousness, because all 
who believe are justified or continually being declared righteous 
through the act of redemption that is in Messiah Yeshua.  
For He paid the price demanded for sin, securing the release from 
bondage for every person who trusts in Him.  This is no cheap grace, 
the cost was high.  (Gal. 3:13, Ephes. 1:7, Hebrews 9:15)

Vs. 25 - "Whom G-d has 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 forebearance of G-d;"  It is interesting
that the noun hilasterion is used only one other place in the 
Brit Chadasha in Hebrews 9:5 for the mercy seat of the tabernacle's 
ark of the covenant.  It is here, in the Holy of Holies, that the 
Kohen Gadol (High Priest) entered alone and only one day in the year 
to make atonement for all the sins of the people. There, a goat's blood 
was sprinkled upon and before the mercy seat to cover Israel's sins 
and satisfy G-d for another year (Lev. 16:15).  But the writer of 
Hebrews tells us that these ordinances and yearly rituals
were incapable of perfecting its worshippers.  'These sacrifices,' 
he says, 'are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible 
for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins' (Heb. 10:3-4); 
they are no more than 'external regulations applying until the time 
of the new order' (Heb. 9:10); 'sprinkled on those who are ceremonially
unclean' the blood and the ashes may 'sanctify them so that they are 
outwardly clean' (Heb. 9:13), but more they cannot do.  
The Law was only a shadow of good things to come....The substance
however, is in Messiah.

'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; for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul 
(Lev. 17:11).  This is the cornerstone of the sacrificial system.  
It established the only means by which G-d's wrath could be averted; 
life for life; the just for the unjust; the blood being a ransom price 
so that the life of the substitute is given up in death.

'But Messiah being come a Kohen Gadol of good things to come, 
by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not
made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 
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 (Heb. 9:11-12).
By the death of Yeshua and the shedding of His blood 
the penalty for sin has been paid (Rom. 6:23) and G-d
has been satisfied.  His perfect offering turns away 
wrath and as we put our trust in Him we need not fear
it any longer.  This means a wonderful assurance of shalom (peace) 
for the Believer.  There is nothing more
to fear, for 'He is the propitiation for our sins.'

EXPLORE:

1)  According to G-d's Word, can anybody through his own deeds be 
"good enough" in G-d's eyes?  (Back up
by scripture)

2)  What is the penalty for sin?  (Refer to scripture verse)

3)  What does propitiation mean and what was the means by which 
G-d accomplished this?

APPLY:

Have you accepted Yeshua's propitiation by faith for righteousness, 
or are you relying on your own mitzvot (works, good deeds)?

These 52 lessons to be printed out and copied and used 
in weekly Torah studies
by believers and Messianic Congregations.