Daily Bread - DEC/22/07
1 John 4:10 - In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the means of forgiveness for our sins.

The Greek word 'hilasmos' is roughly equivalent to the Hebrew word 'kipper' translated atonement in most English translations of the Bible. The Greek word hilasmos is translated propitiation or expiation by many of the English translations but this is not entirely accurate. The Greeks used the word 'hilasmos' to refer to the means by which men would appease the gods and thus the word 'propitiation' is derived. However, this verse of scripture in which we find this word reveals that God was already favorably disposed towards us before He gave His Son for our sins, for He loved us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4- 5). Therefore, the whole Greek notion of propitiation or expiation simply does not work. The redemption that is in Christ Jesus has nothing to do with the offerings or actions of men much less their attempts to gain Gods favor. Redemption does not have anything to do with the offerings of men rather it is all about God offering up the sacrifice of Jesus for us. The secular world does not know of such a concept for the message of salvation reaches far beyond the imagination and ideologies of man. We must use great caution in attempting to narrowly confine these Greek words to the meanings given in the secular and profane world.

Once again, although 'hilasmos' is common to Greek literature it is important to be on guard with respect to the meanings that may be derived from a purely secular application. Equally, we must also recognize that a perfect equivalent of the Hebrew word may not have been available in the Greek vocabulary. For this reason we must always look deeper into the context. Keeping in mind that even in the secular usage of 'hilasmos' it could also mean cleansing or forgiveness. Thus when we choose to translate a word we must make sure that the vocabulary is consistent with the meaning that is implied by the context. What we can be certain that John meant by saying Jesus was our hilasmos is that through Him:
1- Our sins would be destroyed, 1 John 3:5.
2- The works of the devil in our lives would be destroyed, 1 John 3:8.
3- We would receive cleansing from all of our sins, 1 John 1:7,9.
4- Christ Jesus would dwell in us even as God dwelt in the Holies of Holies after it was purified, 1 John 3:24; 4:4, 12, 15.
5- We would be born of God, 1 John 3:9, 4:7.
6- It would result in eternal life that we now possess thus referring to the quality of life that we received by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, 1 John 5:11,13,20; 1:2; 2:25; 3:15.
7- Because of this we have boldness before the judgment seat of God, 1 John 2:28; 4:17.
8- If Christians do sin they must look again to Jesus who is the intercessor that provides the hilasmos (the forgiveness, cleansing, purifying) work of grace because God so deeply loves us.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen