Romans 3:25

God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to a mixed Jewish-Gentile congregation in Rome, having just established in 3:9–23 that both groups stand under sin. This verse is the pivot: God's righteousness is now revealed apart from the Law.

The words — ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion) is the noun form of the mercy seat, the gold lid of the Ark where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:14–15); the verb προέθετο (proetheto) means "set forth as" or "displayed," indicating a deliberate public presentation.

The thread — 1 John 4:10 uses the cognate ἱλασμός (hilasmós) for "atoning sacrifice," and Romans 3:26 immediately restates the purpose: to be just and to justify the one who has faith.

Why it lands — The initiative is entirely God's; He "presented" Christ, not the other way around. The reader is asked to receive what has been set forth, or to refuse it—there is no third option the text offers.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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;

Cross-references

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
1 Peter 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,
1 John 4:10 And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 2:2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Romans 5:9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!
Colossians 1:20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.
Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
Acts 13:38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
Acts 17:30 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
Hebrews 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.