King James Version

What Does Romans 3:25 Mean?

Romans 3:25 in the King James Version says “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission ... — study this verse from Romans chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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; set forth: or, foreordained remission: or, passing over

Romans 3:25 · KJV


Context

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; set forth: or, foreordained remission: or, passing over

26

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

27

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The theological heart of Romans: hon proetheto ho theos hilastērion (ὃν προέθετο ὁ θεός ἱλαστήριον, "whom God set forth as a propitiation"). Hilastērion (ἱλαστήριον)—the mercy seat where sacrificial blood was sprinkled on Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16:14-15), or more broadly, a propitiatory sacrifice that satisfies divine wrath.

Dia pisteōs en tō autou haimati (διὰ πίστεως ἐν τῷ αὐτοῦ αἵματι, "through faith in his blood")—appropriated by faith, grounded in Christ's blood. Purpose: eis endeixin tēs dikaiosynēs autou (εἰς ἔνδειξιν τῆς δικαιοσύνης αὐτοῦ, "to demonstrate his righteousness") because of paresin tōn progegonotōn hamartēmatōn (πάρεσιν τῶν προγεγονότων ἁμαρτημάτων, "passing over of former sins") in anochē tou theou (ἀνοχῇ τοῦ θεοῦ, "forbearance of God"). God's pre-cross patience in not immediately judging sin raised questions about His justice—answered at Calvary.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Day of Atonement was Judaism's central ceremony for dealing with sin. Paul declares Christ as the ultimate hilasterion—not a mere symbol but the reality. His blood accomplishes what animal sacrifices foreshadowed: actual propitiation of divine wrath, demonstrating God is both just (punishing sin) and justifier (saving sinners).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the word "propitiation" change your understanding of the cross—not just example but satisfaction of divine justice?
  2. Why was it necessary for God to demonstrate His righteousness by punishing sin in Christ?
  3. How does this verse answer the question: How can God be just and justify sinners?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ὃν1 of 28

Whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

προέθετο2 of 28

hath set forth

G4388

to place before, i.e., (for oneself) to exhibit; (to oneself) to propose (determine)

3 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ4 of 28

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἱλαστήριον5 of 28

to be a propitiation

G2435

an expiatory (place or thing), i.e., (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specially) the lid of the ark (in the temple)

διὰ6 of 28

for

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῆς7 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστεως8 of 28

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἐν9 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ10 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αὐτοῦ11 of 28

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

αἵματι12 of 28

blood

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

εἰς13 of 28

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἔνδειξιν14 of 28

declare

G1732

indication (abstractly)

τῆς15 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δικαιοσύνης16 of 28

righteousness

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

αὐτοῦ17 of 28

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

διὰ18 of 28

for

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὴν19 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πάρεσιν20 of 28

the remission

G3929

praetermission, i.e., toleration

τῶν21 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προγεγονότων22 of 28

that are past

G4266

to be already, i.e., have previousy transpired

ἁμαρτημάτων23 of 28

of sins

G265

a sin (properly concrete)

ἐν24 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ25 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνοχῇ26 of 28

the forbearance

G463

self-restraint, i.e., tolerance

τοῦ27 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ28 of 28

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 3:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 3:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study