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NASB | 1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:2 And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature--our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world. |
Subject: The 'Kosmos' in 1 John |
Bible Note: Greetings Lionstrong! Let's try a different approach! Scripture has to be the source of our definition of words. The word group dealt with in Rom. 3:25 and 1 John 2:2 is made up of a total of 4 words, each of which is used twice in the New Testament. Let us appeal to them and allow Scripture to define what 'propitiation' is or is not. 1) hilaskomai (# 2433): It is used in Luke 18:13 and Heb. 2:17. a) Luke 18:13 - "‘‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’" Here we see that 'propitiation' is something that a sinner can receive from God. b) Heb. 2:17 - "17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people." Here we see that 'propitiation' is a high priestly function related to the sins of the people. 2) Hilasmos (# 2434): This word is used in 1 John 2:2 and 1 John 4:10. a) 1 John 2:2 - "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." Here we see that 'propitiation' is a sacrifice which Christ made for sin (for ours and for the sins of the whole world). b) 1 John 4:10 - "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." This verse says pretty much the same thing as 1 John 2:2, without mention of the world. 3) Hilasteerion (# 2435): This word occurs in Rom. 3:25 and Heb. 9:5. a) Rom. 3:25 - " God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—" Here, we again see that 'propitiation' is a sacrifice. We also see a reference to the blood of Christ. Hence, drawing our attention to His death. b) Heb. 9:5 - " Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now." Here we have a reference to a part of the Ark. 4) hileos (# 2436): This word occurs in Mt. 16:22 and Heb. 8:12. a) Mt. 16:22 - " Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘‘Never, Lord!” he said. ‘‘This shall never happen to you!”" This word is used in the sense of 'May the Lord be merciful to you.' Thus, it is not very relevant to our discussion. b) Heb. 8:12 - "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”" Three things become abundently clear about 'propitiation' from these passages. 1) It is something done by Christ for us. 2) It is an atonement for sins. 3) It was done for everyone's sins. Nothing in these verses limits the extend of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. In fact, 1 John 2:2 spells out the extent. To be perfectly blunt, (in my opinion) it is only your reformed tradition which mandates that 1 John 2:2 cannot mean "the sins of the whole world". If all we had was 1 John 4:10, I could allow that your interpretation might be possible. Who are us? Could 'us' simply refer to the believers to whom John was writing? Of course it could be! But, 1 John 2:2 does not allow that interpretation. We must allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, not our theology. The wrath of God was appeased against all sin on the cross. According to Heb. 7:27, it was a once for all sacrifice, never to be repeated. It is only your view of election that prevents you from accepting the "all's" and "whole's" and "everyone's" of Scripture. But, that is your right! :-) As for me, if some tells me they are going to give me a "whole" pie, then I don't believe that they are only going to give me a part of a pie. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |