Trying to understand a Calvin quote

[Pergamum]

“It is incontestable that Christ came for the expiation of the sins of the whole world.”

Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God, p.148.



How does Calvin define expiation and distinguish it from propitiation? Does he mean the sins of all races and ethnicities of man here?

Has anyone studied Calvin as it pertains to this verse? What is his meaning here?

 

[Bill The Baptist]

I am not entirely sure of the way in which Calvin meant it, but it is clear that whether through salvation or through judgment, Jesus is the "lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

 

[bookslover]

Expiation = paying the price (death) for our sins

Propitiation = appeasing God's anger over sin

By "sins of the whole world," Calvin probably means "the elect throughout the whole world and throughout all time."

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

Contra Georgius' universalism, Calvin wrote...

"Georgius thinks he argues very acutely when he says:

Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world; and hence those who wish to exclude the reprobate from participation in Christ must place them outside the world.​

​

"Now we will not permit the common solution of this question to avail on the present occasion, which would have it that Christ suffered sufficiently for all men, but effectually for His elect alone. This great absurdity, by which our monk has procured for himself so much applause amongst his own fraternity, has no weight whatever with me.

"John does indeed extend the benefits of the atonement of Christ, which was completed by His death, to all the elect of God throughout what climes of the world soever they may be scattered. But though the case be so, it by no means alters the fact that the reprobate are mingled with the elect in the world. It is also a fact, without controversy, that Christ came to atone for the sins "of the whole world." But the solution of all difficulty is immediately at hand, in the truth and fact, that it is "whosoever believeth in Him" that "shall not perish, but shall have eternal life." For our present question is, not what the power or virtue of Christ is, nor what efficacy it has in itself, but who those are to whom He gives Himself to be enjoyed. Now if the possession of Christ stands in faith, and if faith flows from the Spirit of adoption, it follows that he alone is numbered of God among His children who is designed of God to be a partaker of Christ. Indeed, the evangelist John sets forth the office of Christ to be none other than that of "gathering together all the children of God" in one by His death. From all which we conclude that although reconciliation is offered unto all men through Him, yet, that the great benefit belongs peculiarly to the elect, that they might be "gathered together" and be made "together" partakers of eternal life.

"Be it observed, however, that when I speak of reconciliation through Christ being offered to all, I do not mean that that message or embassy, by which Paul says God "reconciles the world unto Himself," really comes or reaches unto all men; but that it is not sealed indiscriminately on the hearts of all those to whom it does come, so as to be effectual in them. And as to our present opponent's prating about there being "no acceptance of persons with God," he must first "go and learn" what the word "person" meaneth agreeably to our preceding explanations of it; and then we shall have no more trouble with him on that score."



SRC: http://www.reformed.org/documents/calvin/calvin_predest_2.html#A

On page 49, the atonement's making of amends for sin, is noted by Calvin:

"in the same chapter, that Christ was "verily foreordained before the foundation of the world" to be the Saviour, Who should wash away by His blood the sins of the world; by which that apostle doubtless means that the expiation of sin, completed by Christ, was preordained by the eternal counsel of God."

Further on expiation, Calvin on 1 John 2:2:


"Wherever the faithful are dispersed throughout the world, John extends to them the expiation wrought by Christ's death. But this does not alter the fact that the reprobate are mixed up with the elect in the world. It is incontestable that Christ came for the expiation of the sins of the whole world. But the solution lies close at hand, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but should have eternal life (Jn. 3:15). For the present question is not how great the power of Christ is or what efficacy it has in itself, but to whom He gives Himself to be enjoyed."

The quote from the OP is often abused by the opponents of limited atonement, for example:
http://vintage.aomin.org/TertiumQuid.html#_edn4

 

[py3ak]

The quote from the OP is often abused by the opponents of limited atonement

With some degree of absurdity as can be seen by consulting his comment on Colossians 1:20:

Should any one, on the pretext of the universality of the expression, move a question in reference to devils, whether Christ be their peace maker also? I answer, No, not even of wicked men: though I confess that there is a difference, inasmuch as the benefit of redemption is offered to the latter, but not to the former.

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

Wonderful quote, Ruben! I like to think there was a wee bit of wry smile on Calvin's face when he penned that, too.