"And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Propitiation satisfies the wrath of God. In our salvation, propitiation satisfied the holiness of God's justice through the sacrifice of Christ at the cross.
God's justice was satisfied at the cross of Jesus. Propitiation (Greek: hilasmos) is a New Testament word which means satisfaction. Christ crucified satisfied the holiness and justice of God to save guilty sinners. In our place, Jesus died to take the punishment of our sins.
The propitiation of Christ was seen at the cross, because of God's love for sinners. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Christ crucified is love's crowning deed, satisfying God's justice.
God's justice was paid in full for every believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. Justice paid the price for believers in the sacrifice of Christ at the cross. Believers in Christ our Lord receive God's love (John 3:16). Those who believe not in Christ face God's wrath abiding upon them.
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe in the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).
