Romans 3:25
New International Version
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

New Living Translation
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,

English Standard Version
whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood, for a showing forth of His righteousness, because of the forbearance of the sins having taken place beforehand,

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

New American Standard Bible
whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished;

NASB 1995
whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

NASB 1977
whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

Legacy Standard Bible
whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

Amplified Bible
whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion].

Christian Standard Bible
God presented him as the mercy seat by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.

American Standard Version
whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God;

English Revised Version
whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, by his blood, to shew his righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God showed that Christ is the throne of mercy where God's approval is given through faith in Christ's blood. In his patience God waited to deal with sins committed in the past.

International Standard Version
whom God offered as a place where atonement by the Messiah's blood would occur through faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because he had waited patiently to deal with sins committed in the past.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed.

New Heart English Bible
whom God set forth whom God displayed publicly as a mercy seat, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness, because in God's forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed;

Webster's Bible Translation
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;

Weymouth New Testament
He it is whom God put forward as a Mercy-seat, rendered efficacious through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness-- because of the passing over, in God's forbearance, of the sins previously committed--

World English Bible
whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
whom God set forth [as] a propitiatory covering, through faith in His blood, for the showing forth of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the former sins in the forbearance of God—

Berean Literal Bible
whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood, for a showing forth of His righteousness, because of the forbearance of the sins having taken place beforehand,

Young's Literal Translation
whom God did set forth a mercy seat, through the faith in his blood, for the shewing forth of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the bygone sins in the forbearance of God --

Smith's Literal Translation
Whom God had set before a propitiatory by faith in his blood, for a manifestation of his justice by passing over of sins before existing, in the sufferance of God;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whom God hath proposed to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to the shewing of his justice, for the remission of former sins,

Catholic Public Domain Version
whom God has offered as a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to reveal his justice for the remission of the former offenses,

New American Bible
whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed,

New Revised Standard Version
whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Whom God has foreordained to be a propitiation through faith in his blood for the remission of our sins that are past;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
This One whom God preordained as the atonement, by the faith of his blood, for the sake of our sins which we had formerly sinned,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
whom God has set forth as a propitiatory sacrifice, through faith in his blood, in order to manifest his righteousness, in passing by the sins that were formerly committed through the forbearance of God;

Godbey New Testament
whom God sent forth an expiation through faith in his blood, unto the manifestation of His righteousness through the remission of the sins which are passed,

Haweis New Testament
whom God hath proposed as the propitiatory sacrifice through faith in his blood, in demonstration of his justice for the remission of past sins, through the patience of God;

Mace New Testament
whom God had ordained, thro' faith, to be the propitiatory victim by his blood, for the manifestation of his goodness, by patiently passing over their past transgressions: to manifest,

Weymouth New Testament
He it is whom God put forward as a Mercy-seat, rendered efficacious through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness-- because of the passing over, in God's forbearance, of the sins previously committed--

Worrell New Testament
Whom God set forth as a propitiation, through faith in His blood, for the manifestation of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the formerly-committed sins in the forbearance of God:

Worsley New Testament
whom God hath appointed to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness, in the remission of past sins, according to the forbearance of God;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Righteousness through Faith
24and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. 26He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.…

Cross References
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!

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.

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.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

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.

1 Peter 1:18-19
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, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Isaiah 53:5-6
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. / We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Leviticus 16:15-16
Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it. / So he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them in the midst of their impurities.

Exodus 12:13
The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a sign; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Psalm 32:1-2
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Daniel 9:24
Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.


Treasury of Scripture

Whom God has 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.

Acts 2:23
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Acts 3:18
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Acts 4:28
For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

to be.

Exodus 25:17-22
And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof…

Leviticus 16:15
Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

Hebrews 9:5
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

through.

Romans 5:1,9,11
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: …

Isaiah 53:11
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

John 6:47,53-58
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life…

to declare.

Romans 3:26
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Psalm 22:31
They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

Psalm 40:10
I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

remission.

Romans 3:23,24
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; …

Romans 4:1-8
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? …

Acts 13:38,39
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: …

Jump to Previous
Atonement Atoning Blood Clear Committed Declare Demonstrate Demonstration Efficacious Expiation Faith Forbearance Former Forth Forward God's Justice Mercy Mercy-Seat Order Passed Passing Past Presented Previously Prior Propitiation Received Remission Rendered Righteousness Sacrifice Show Sign Sins
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Atonement Atoning Blood Clear Committed Declare Demonstrate Demonstration Efficacious Expiation Faith Forbearance Former Forth Forward God's Justice Mercy Mercy-Seat Order Passed Passing Past Presented Previously Prior Propitiation Received Remission Rendered Righteousness Sacrifice Show Sign Sins
Romans 3
1. The Jews prerogative;
3. which they have not lost;
9. howbeit the law convinces them also of sin;
20. therefore no one is justified by the law;
28. but all, without difference, by faith, only;
31. and yet the law is not abolished.














God presented Him
This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative in the plan of salvation. The Greek word for "presented" is "proetheto," which can also mean "set forth" or "displayed publicly." This indicates that God actively and intentionally offered Jesus Christ as a solution to humanity's sin problem. Historically, this public presentation is seen in the crucifixion of Jesus, a pivotal event in Christian theology, where God's love and justice were visibly demonstrated.

as the atoning sacrifice
The term "atoning sacrifice" is translated from the Greek word "hilastērion," which refers to a means of appeasing or satisfying divine justice. In the Old Testament, this concept is closely related to the "mercy seat" on the Ark of the Covenant, where the high priest would sprinkle blood to atone for the sins of Israel. Jesus, as the ultimate atoning sacrifice, fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament sacrificial system, providing a once-for-all solution to sin.

through faith in His blood
Faith is the means by which individuals receive the benefits of Christ's atoning work. The phrase "in His blood" underscores the significance of Jesus' sacrificial death. Blood, in biblical terms, represents life and the cost of redemption. The shedding of Jesus' blood is central to the New Covenant, echoing the Passover lamb's blood that protected the Israelites. This faith is not mere intellectual assent but a deep trust in the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice.

to demonstrate His righteousness
God's righteousness is a key theme in Romans. Here, it refers to His moral integrity and justice. By providing Jesus as the atoning sacrifice, God demonstrates His righteousness in two ways: He upholds His justice by addressing sin, and He reveals His mercy by providing a way for sinners to be justified. This dual demonstration highlights the perfect balance of God's character.

because in His forbearance
"Forbearance" refers to God's patience and restraint in delaying judgment. The Greek word "anoche" suggests a temporary suspension of wrath. Historically, God had been patient with humanity's sins, not immediately executing judgment. This patience is not a sign of indifference but a purposeful delay to allow for the unfolding of His redemptive plan through Christ.

He had passed over the sins committed beforehand
The phrase "passed over" is reminiscent of the Passover event in Exodus, where God spared the Israelites from judgment. In this context, it means that God, in His patience, temporarily overlooked past sins, knowing that the ultimate solution would come through Christ. This does not imply that God ignored sin but that He deferred judgment until the appointed time of Christ's sacrificial death, which would provide true atonement for all sins, past and present.

(25, 26) The death of Christ had a twofold object or final cause:--(1) It was to be, like the sacrifices of the old covenant, an offering propitiatory to God, and actualised in the believer through faith. (2) It was to demonstrate the righteousness of God by showing that sin would entail punishment, though it might not be punished in the person of the sinner. The apparent absence of any adequate retribution for the sins of past ages made it necessary that by one conspicuous instance it should be shown that this was in no sense due to an ignoring of the true nature of sin. The retributive justice of God was all the time unimpaired. The death of Christ served for its vindication, at the same time that a way to escape from its consequences was opened out through the justification of the believer.

Precisely in what sense the punishment of our sins fell upon Christ, and in what sense the justice of God was vindicated by its so falling, is another point which we are not able to determine. Nothing, we may be sure, can be involved which is in ultimate conflict with morality. At the same time, we see that under the ordinary government of God, the innocent suffer for the guilty, and there may be some sort of transference of this analogy into the transcendental sphere. Both the natural and the supernatural government of God are schemes "imperfectly comprehended." In any case, Christ was innocent, and Christ suffered. On any theory there is a connection between His death and human sin. What connection, is a question to which, perhaps, only a partial answer can be given. Some weighty remarks on this subject will be found in Butler's Analogy of Religion, Part II., Romans 5 (latter part).

(25) Hath set forth.--Rather, set forth, publicly exhibited, in the single act of the death upon the cross.

A propitiation.--The Greek word properly means "that which renders propitious." Here, "that which renders God propitious." In some way, which is not explained at all in this passage, and imperfectly explained elsewhere, the death of Christ did act so as to render God "propitious" towards men. He became more ready to pardon as they became more anxious to be pardoned.

There is a remarkable use of the same Greek word in the LXX. version of the Old Testament to express the mercy-seat, i.e., the lid or covering of the ark which was sprinkled by the high priest with the blood of the victim on the Day of Atonement. Some have thought that there is a reference to this here. Christ is the mercy-seat of the New Covenant. It is upon Him, as it were, that the divine grace, drawn forth by His own atoning blood, resides. It would hardly be a conclusive objection to this view that, according to it, Christ would be represented as at once the victim whose blood is sprinkled and the covering of the ark on which it is sprinkled; for a similar double reference certainly occurs in Hebrews 9:11-12, where Christ is typified at one and the same time both by the victim whose blood is shed and by the high priest by whom it is offered. There seem to be, however, on the whole, reasons for supplying rather the idea of "sacrifice," which is more entirely in keeping with the context, and is especially supported by the two phrases, "whom God hath set forth (i.e., exhibited publicly, whereas the ark was confined to the secrecy of the Holy of Holies), and "in His blood." We should translate, therefore, a propitiatory or expiatory (sacrifice).

Through faith.--Faith is the causa apprehendens by which the proffered pardon takes effect upon the soul of the believer.

In his blood.--On the whole, it seems best not to join these words with "through faith," but to refer them to the main word of the sentence. "Whom God set forth by the shedding of His blood to be a propitiatory offering through faith." It was in the shedding of the blood that the essence of the atonement exhibited upon the cross consisted. No doubt other portions of the life of Christ led up to this one; but this was the culminating act in it, viewed as an atonement.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

presented
προέθετο (proetheto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4388: To purpose, design beforehand, determine. Middle voice from pro and tithemi; to place before, i.e. to exhibit; to propose.

[Him]
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

[as an] atoning sacrifice
ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2435: Neuter of a derivative of hilaskomai; an expiatory, i.e. an atoning victim, or the lid of the Ark.

through
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

faith
πίστεως (pisteōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

blood,
αἵματι (haimati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

in order
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

to demonstrate
ἔνδειξιν (endeixin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1732: A showing, proof, demonstration, sign, token. From endeiknumi; indication.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

righteousness,
δικαιοσύνης (dikaiosynēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343: From dikaios; equity; specially justification.

because
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[His]
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

forbearance
ἀνοχῇ (anochē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 463: Forbearance, suspense or delay (of punishment), patience. From anechomai; self-restraint, i.e. Tolerance.

[He] had passed over
πάρεσιν (paresin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3929: Overlooking, suspension, remission of punishment for. From ktetor; praetermission, i.e. Toleration.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sins
ἁμαρτημάτων (hamartēmatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 265: A fault, sin, evil deed. From hamartano; a sin.

committed beforehand.
προγεγονότων (progegonotōn)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4266: To happen (come about) previously. From pro and ginomai; to be already, i.e. Have previousy transpired.


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NT Letters: Romans 3:25 Whom God set forth to be (Rom. Ro)
Romans 3:24
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