whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood as a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God passed by the sins that were previously committed,
Truth to Learn
God will pass by our sins covered by the blood of Christ.
Behind the Words
The words “set forth” are from the Greek word proetheto, meaning “to place in public view” or “to exhibit conspicuously.”
“Propitiation” is translated from hilastērion, meaning “to make favorably inclined, to conciliate, or to appease.” The only other use of this word in the New Testament is in Hebrews 9:5, where it is rendered “mercy seat.” The use of this word in the Septuagint most often refers to the mercy seat as well. Since the mercy seat is a covering of the Ark, where the blood was sprinkled, it refers to a covering of our sins.
The word “forbearance” is translated from anoche, which refers to “self restraint.”
“Passed by” is from paresin. This word is made up of para, meaning “beside” and a form of hiēmi, meaning “to send.” The most basic meaning of this word, therefore, is “to pass by.” This word is not used anywhere else in the entire Bible.
Meaning Explained
This is one of the most power-packed verses in the New Testament. The verse starts off with “whom,” a reference to Jesus Christ. Paul says that He was “set forth” or put on public display as “a propitiation.” As we noted above, this is the word that is used of the mercy seat, which is the covering of the Ark of the Covenant in the Jewish temple. The mercy seat is where the sacrificial blood was sprinkled once a year by the high priest to atone for (that is, to cover) the sins of the people. And this is where God was reconciled to His people on the Day of Atonement every year. Jesus Christ has become our mercy seat and His blood has atoned for (covered) our sins.
Paul is now telling us that it is through our faith in the blood of Christ that this covering of our sins occurs. And, he is telling us that the purpose of the atonement, the covering of our sins, is to declare the righteousness of God because He passes by our sins. Because He passes by these sins, He does not take them into account because they are covered by the blood of Christ.
Paul says the sins that He passes by are the sins that were previously committed. That doesn’t mean that only the sins of the people who had lived up until the Cross were covered. The point where He will “pass by” sins is at the Day of Judgment (for us, the Bema Seat Judgment). At that point in time all of our sins will have been committed in the past, and through the atoning work of the blood of Christ, He will pass by them.
So this verse is telling us that it is our faith in the blood of Christ exhibited on the cross that will allow God to pass by our sins, thus declaring His righteousness in us, which He credits to our account.
Application
The whole purpose of the plan of salvation is to glorify God. So let us do just that. Let us give Him the praise and the glory for it all, with thanksgiving! He is worthy.
In God's service, for His glory,
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