From the late 14th Century, the word propitiation means an atonement, and is derived from propitiate, a 1580s word taken from the Latin propitiatus, the past tense of propitiare--to appease.
The word appears in Romans Chapter 3:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Christ's death was a propitiation for the sins of mankind--an atonement, offered to God in much the same way that previously lamb's blood was offered.
Prior to the crucifixion, to atone for one's sins, a blood sacrifice was made to God, the sinner apologizing not just by word, but by action, as discussed in Leviticus 17:11
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
Christ's death on the cross allows us to seek forgiveness from God for sinning without making a sacrifice--Christ already was the sacrifice.
Romans 3 illiustrates that we are not born forgiven for sins not yet committed. Rather, Christ's sacrifice allows us merely to ask for forgiveness when we sin, without waiting to make any propitiation.
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