What is expiation?

Answer

The term “expiation” is not found in the New Testament, but it accurately portrays a facet of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. Expiation means “to cover sin” and/or “to cleanse sin.” It conveys the idea that the harmful and debasing effects of our sin are eliminated through God’s grace. Another synonym for expiation is atonement, and indeed, this is one of the outcomes of Jesus’ atoning death for us.

Through expiation—the work of Christ on the cross for us—the sin of all those who would ever believe in Christ was forgiven. This forgiveness has eternal consequences, even though sin still exists in a temporal sense. In essence, believers are freed from the punishment and influence of sin, though not its presence. Justification refers to being freed from the penalty of sin. It is a singular event where the sinner is justified, made holy, and righteous in God’s eyes, as He exchanged our sinful nature for Christ’s righteousness on the cross “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”, (2 Corinthians 5:21). Sanctification is an ongoing process where believers are liberated from the power of sin in their lives and empowered by their new nature to resist and turn away from it. Glorification occurs when we are completely removed from the presence of sin, a moment that will only happen once we depart from this world and enter heaven. All these stages—justification, sanctification, and glorification—are made achievable through the expiation or forgiveness of sin.

It is important to note that there are additional benefits from Jesus’ sacrifice for us. One of these, not explicitly covered by the concept of expiation but equally valid and scriptural, is propitiation, which means “to appease wrath.” Indeed, the atoning death of God the SOn satisfies the wrath of God the Father against rebellious, sinful humanity (John 3:36; Romans 5:9). Expiation, justification, sanctification, glorification, propitiation, and many more – we have numerous reasons to praise God and to run to Him in faith and trust.