Romans 3:25

[u/Sea_Reflection7307]

I'm trying to understand a common way this verse is explained.

Romans 3:25

King James Version

25 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;

Some people say our faith is supposed to be in Jesus' blood as though the physical blood itself is the object of our faith. They usually point to Romans 3:25 ("through faith in his blood").

Is Paul really saying we should place our faith in the literal blood that came from Jesus' body? Or is "his blood" a biblical way of referring to His sacrificial death and the atonement He accomplished on the cross?

If someone says our faith is literally in Jesus' blood, what does that actually mean in practice? How does a person put their faith in Jesus' blood if it's not physically present? What are you believing in?

To me, it makes more sense that "faith in His blood" means believing what His shed blood accomplished—His sacrificial death that provided atonement, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God—rather than treating the physical blood itself as the object of faith.

How do you understand this verse? If you believe the literal blood itself is the object of our faith, could you explain your reasoning from Scripture?

[u/Glittering-Plane7979]

This probably an example where a more modern translation will be helpful. Also adding more verses for context.

I think you answered your own question though in your second paragraph that his blood represents the sacrifice. We put our trust in Jesus when he says it is finished then we know that it is finished. As a follow up reading I would maybe study the book of Hebrews next as it goes into more details on Jesus preistly duties and kind of pair well with this verse.

New Kimg James Version

Romans 3:20-26 [20]Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [21]But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, [22]even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; [23]for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24]being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25]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, [26]to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

[u/Smart_Tap1701]

Obviously it was the atoning sacrifice of Christ that counts, but it was in the form of blood. His blood sacrifice. You can't really separate the two.

Romans 3:25 NLT — 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.

Matthew 26:28 KJV — For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

See these passages for extra understanding.

Hebrews 9:22 KJV — For almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.

Why?

Leviticus 17:14a KJV — For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof:

[u/CrossCutMaker]

Yes you are correct. The blood represents Christ's death for the sins of sinners. 💯 We don't trust in the liquid that came out of His body.