The substitutionary atonement refers to the doctrine that Jesus Christ died as a substitute for sinners, taking the punishment that they deserved for their sins. This view is central to orthodox Christian theology and has roots in several key biblical passages. Here is an overview of the biblical basis and key elements of the substitutionary atonement doctrine:
1. The concept of atonement in the Bible
In the Bible, the concept of atonement involves making amends for wrongs and restoring a right relationship between God and human beings. The English word “atonement” translates the Hebrew verb kaphar and nouns like kippurim, which mean to “cover over” or “wipe away” sin (Leviticus 4:26, 5:10). The Greek verb in the New Testament is katallagein, meaning “reconciliation” (Romans 5:11). So atonement describes the process of covering sin and reconciling sinners to God.
Several Old Testament passages refer to the need for atonement and forgiveness of sins for God’s people (Psalm 32:1, 85:2; Jeremiah 33:8). God established a system of animal sacrifices as the means of atonement (Leviticus 4:20, 26). However, the animal sacrifices were limited and temporary, as the book of Hebrews explains: “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). The sacrifices pointed forward to a greater, perfect sacrifice that would come.
2. Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for sins
The New Testament teaches that Jesus’ death provided the atoning sacrifice for sins once for all.
1 Peter 2:24 states “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 John 2:2 says Jesus is “the propitiation for our sins.” Propitiation means he turned aside God’s wrath by taking the punishment sinners deserved.
Several passages compare Jesus to the Passover lamb that was sacrificed (John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7). Paul teaches that God publicly displayed Jesus as the atoning sacrifice (Romans 3:25). The author of Hebrews says Jesus offered “one sacrifice for sins forever” and by that single offering “he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12, 14).
So the New Testament teaches that Jesus’ death served as the perfect, complete offering to achieve atonement for sin once for all.
3. Penal substitutionary atonement
The doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement explains Jesus’ death on the cross as him suffering the penalty of death that sinners deserved, dying in the place of guilty sinners. This view was expressed early on in the church, for example by Athanasius who said that Christ “assumed a body capable of death, in order that it, through belonging to the Word Who is above all, might become in dying a sufficient exchange for all…”
Key biblical passages that support penal substitutionary atonement include:
– Isaiah 53:5 – “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Says Christ was crushed for our sins.
– 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Christ was made to be sin for us.
– 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 hanged on a tree.” Christ took the curse we deserved.
– Romans 5:8-9 – “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” His death justified us and saved us from God’s wrath.
So these and other verses convey the penal substitutionary view that Christ died in the sinner’s place and took the punishment of death and divine wrath that sin deserves.
4. The divine exchange: Christ takes human sin, humans receive Christ’s righteousness
A related concept is the “divine exchange.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 states that God made Christ “to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” An exchange took place: our sin was imputed to Christ, and his righteousness is imputed to those who have faith in him. Christ took on the sin of the world on the cross, like a sponge absorbs liquid (John 1:29, Hebrews 9:28). In exchange, believers are counted righteous in God’s sight.
Romans 5 explains that just as sin and death came through Adam, righteousness and life come through Christ (Romans 5:12-21). God accepts Christ’s righteousness on behalf of those united to him by faith (2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9). So our sin was imputed to Christ, while his perfect obedience was imputed to believers as righteousness.
5. Christ as victor and substitute
The Bible presents Christ’s death on the cross as a paradoxical victory achieved through divine “foolishness” and weakness (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). Jesus said that the Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Ephesians 1 praises “the glorious grace of God that he lavished on us” (v. 6) and says “in Christ we have redemption through his blood and the forgiveness of sins” (v. 7). Christ triumphed over the powers of darkness through his atoning blood (Colossians 2:13-15, Revelation 5:9).
So Scripture presents Jesus both as the substitute who shed his blood for sinners, and the victor whose sacrifice ransomed people from sin and judgment. Christus Victor and substitutionary atonement are both crucial aspects of Christ’s cross-work.
6. Atonement only effective for those in Christ
The Bible repeatedly qualifies that the benefits of Christ’s atoning work on the cross are effective only for those who place saving faith in him. His death objectively paid the penalty for sin, but that payment must be individually received by faith. For example:
– John 3:16 – “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
– Romans 3:22 – “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”
– Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
So Christ’s death universally offers the payment for sins, but that offer must be accepted by individual faith for atonement to be personally effective. Scripture is clear that not all will place faith in Christ, and Jesus taught that many will refuse the offer of salvation (Matthew 7:13-14). So the substitutionary atonement is limited in its effect to those who believe.
7. Accomplishments of Christ’s substitutionary death
In summary, here are some of the key accomplishments of Christ’s death as the substitute who bore God’s wrath in place of sinners, according to the Bible:
– Forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14)
– Cleansing and washing from sin (Revelation 1:5, 7:14)
– Justification – being declared righteous (Romans 5:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
– Reconciliation and peace with God (Romans 5:1, 10, Colossians 1:20)
– Redemption, rescue from sin and death (Mark 10:45, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13-14)
– Sanctification, being made holy (Hebrews 10:10, 14)
– Victory over sin, death, and the devil (Colossians 2:13-15, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Revelation 12:10-11)
Christ accomplished all of this spiritual cleansing and salvation through willingly offering himself as an atoning sacrifice, once for all.
8. The beauty and glory of penal substitutionary atonement
Theologians throughout church history have marveled at the mysterious beauty of Christ willingly taking the dreadful punishment for sinners. Church father Athanasius called this sacrificial exchange the “glorious grace of God.” The concept of penal substitutionary atonement has sometimes been criticized or rejected, both in historical and modern theology. But Scripture clearly presents it as the profound mystery at the heart of our salvation, praiseworthy for its remarkable grace. As Charles Wesley wrote in his famous hymn “And Can it Be”:
“Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”
The willing sacrifice of the perfect Son of God to take punishment in place of condemned sinners is an awe-inspiring display of God’s love, grace, holiness and justice. The multi-faceted doctrine of substitutionary atonement expresses the very heart of the gospel.