My 2 New Favorite Words

I would like to introduce 2 of my favorite "theological" words. Propitiation and Expiation.

Sadly I have not seen/understood the Beauty in these terms until I had recently heard them in context.

These are portions of definitions showing the amazing grace found in these 2 words words.

Propitiation is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ by which He appeases the wrath of God and conciliates Him who would otherwise be offended by our sin and would demand that we pay the penalty for it.

Propitiation is not the placating of a vengeful God; but it is, rather, the satisfying of the righteousness of a holy God making it possible for Him to show mercy without compromise. Propitiation demonstrates the consistency of God's character in saving the worst sinners. Propitiation reconciles man to God. This means that sin is no longer the issued between man and God. The only issue, both for the Old Testament and New Testament believers, is "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

God, being a Just God completely satisfied His wrath towards our sin in the person of Jesus Christ. He died in my place so that the Love of God could be lavished on me.


Expiation basically means “removal,” accompanies propitiation and speaks of the work of Christ in removing or putting away our sin.


Jesus' death on the cross not only paid for my sins but removed my sins completely!!!

As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 103:12


This symbolism is seen in the sacrifice of the two goats used on the Day of Atonement. The first goat represented Christ’s work of propitiation as it was killed and its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat. The second goat represented Christ’s work of expiation in removing or blotting out the sins that were against us. The object of propitiation is the wrath of God. The object of expiation is the sin, which must be removed from His presence.

IF you find this an interesting topic I invite you to study the scriptures looking for verses that speak about the amazing work of the cross...Feel free to leave them as comments! I bet you can't go more then a few verses without running into them!