Romans 3:25 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God publicly set forth Christ as the place where mercy meets us, through faith in His blood, displaying God's righteousness in passing over former sins.
What Does Romans 3:25 Mean?
Paul reaches the center of the atonement. God Himself publicly presented Christ as the propitiation, the appointed place where sin is covered and divine mercy is extended, received through faith in His shed blood. In this, God shows His righteousness, for in His patience He had passed over sins committed in former times.
Two truths meet at the cross: God does not ignore sin, and God forgives the sinner. The patience that withheld judgment through long ages finds its answer here, where Christ bears what sin deserves. Faith reaches out to this provision and rests in it. The blood of Christ is no small thing; it is the costly ground on which a holy God welcomes guilty people home.
Romans 3:25 in the Original Language
hilasterion (ἱλαστήριον), 'propitiation' -- the place or means of mercy where sin is covered, echoing the mercy seat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 3:25
What does Romans 3:25 mean?
God publicly set forth Christ as the place where mercy meets us, through faith in His blood, displaying God's righteousness in passing over former sins.