THE VICARIOUS ATONEMENT
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be save from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Romans 5:6-11)
Devotion 26 of 29
" . . . through Whom we have now received the atonement."
The King James Version, Geneva Version, and The Webster Bible use the word "atonement" instead of "reconciliation." The Basic Bible English version reads, "through whom we are not at peace with God." The New Living Translation reads, "all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God." Most all other versions read "reconciliation."
The word from which "atonement" is translated indicates a very great accomplishment. Lexically it means "adjustment of a difference, reconciliation, restoration to favor." The root meaning of the word carries the idea of an exchange. As used in this verse, the exchange involves Jesus being made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21). Blessed exchange, indeed!
ATONEMENT
The word "atonement" is anchored in Old Covenant procedures and ceremonies, which were a shadow of what we have in Christ. The word "atonement" is used an extraordinary number of times in the sacrificial law (Exodus through Numbers). The KJV uses the word seventy-six times. The NKJV uses it eighty-three times, the NASB seventy-nine times, the NIV ninety-three times, and the NRSV seventy-seven times. It is a prominent word under the Law, to say the least. As used in the Law, the word "atonement" meant "to cover, purge, make an atonement for, make reconciliation, or cover over." In this usage the appointed means by which the change was accomplished was emphasized.
Under the Law, there was only a ceremonial cleansing, which left the conscience defiled (Heb 10:1-4). For them, "atonement" actually had more to do with sparing the people from wrath rather than bringing righteousness to them. It denoted a covering for sin.
This, of course, was fulfilled in Christ, yet to a fuller extent. A real removal of sin took place, and an effective cleansing of the conscience. Real righteous was imparted to the reconciled ones, just as surely as real sin was laid upon Christ Jesus.
RECONCILIATION
The English word "reconciliation" only occurs once in the Law, and that only in the KJV (Lev 8:15). Even then, the altar was the object of the reconciliation, and not the people. Other versions use the word "atonement" in this verse.
The English word "reconcile" is also used only once in the Law, also only in the KJV (Lev 6:30). There it refers to the sin offering which was brought into the holy place, whose blood had been presented for atonement, or "to reconcile." It was to be burned with fire, and not to be eaten.
WHY MENTION THIS?
There is a reason for this brief explanation. In my judgment, there is very good cause for the KJV's use of the word "atonement" in our text. When reading the word "atonement," something unique would be experienced. The individual whose mind was bathed in Scripture, and who was familiar with the procedures of the shadowy Law, would at once recall those ancient ceremonies. That would provide a greater insight into the death of Christ, which fulfilled those ceremonies. In the atonement we receive in Christ Jesus, a very real covering is realized, as well as a very real exchange.
A PIVOTAL TRUTH
Here is a pivotal truth of Scripture, and one we do well to consider deeply. It is one thing for Christ to have atoned for the sins of the world. It is quite another for that atonement to be "RECEIVED." It is one thing for God to have been "in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself." It is quite another thing for that reconciliation to be "RECEIVED."
It is a principle in Scripture that Divine provisions are to be appropriated. It is not enough to simply speak of them. The salvation of God is never to be reduced to a set of theological theorems. It is something to be experienced, just as surely as sin and alienation have been experienced. This is embodied in the statement of First Corinthians 4:20. "For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power" (NASB).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You the atonement can be received, enjoyed, and made beneficial to those who believe.