What does "atonement for your sin" mean?

March 29th 2015 | 39167 views 

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were given many commandments and then told what to do if they failed to carry them out.  Leviticus chapter 5 gives some examples, such as verses 5 and 6: "When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess what he has sinned and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat…as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin."  A poorer person was allowed to bring two young doves or pigeons (verse 7), but no matter which animal was brought, as Hebrews 9:22 tells us, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (NIV) 

Atonement was a payment for the sin that made the sinner "right" with God again. We also read in Hebrews that the sacrifices under the Law were "types" (pictures) of the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which was to come. Hebrews 10:5-10 (NIV): "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:  …I have come to do your will, O God. …And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." 

There is only one scripture in the New Testament which uses the word "atonement." Romans 5:11 (KJV): "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." Many more modern versions of the Bible, including the NIV, the NASB, and the NWT use the word "reconciliation" instead of "atonement."  

The word for "atonement" or "reconciliation" in Romans 5:11 comes from the Greek word katallasso. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary, katallasso “properly denotes…to change from enmity to friendship, to reconcile.” When Adam and Eve were created perfect, they had perfect communion with God. They could have lived forever had they had not sinned. After they sinned, they lost this perfect communion and their right to perfect life on earth. There was need for an atonement between God and mankind, a reconciliation. God is love, but He is also a God of justice. God required a just way to bring back the human race to Himself and to perfect life.

The human race had been lost through Adam. If there could be another perfect man who would die in place of Adam, then justice could be satisfied, and mankind could be restored.  So, “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His son, born of a woman...” (Galatians 4:4 NASB). Jesus was "holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26 NASB), a true corresponding price for perfect Adam. There was, and is, no price we can pay, no sacrifice we can make, to atone for our sins.  But Jesus has paid the price.

Another word in the New Testament that means atonement is "propitiation," used in 1 John 2:1,2 (NASB): “...If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” Jesus bought the whole world of mankind, and his ransom sacrifice will apply to all people "in due time"  (1 Timothy 2: 5,6).

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode 1086: "Are Jesus’ Ransom and Our Salvation the Same?"
Clarifying the purpose of the ransom and the process of salvation
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

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