This is the case with man. He has violated a law which requires perfect obedience; hence he cannot, in any way, make satisfaction for such violation, from the fact that it was all he could possibly do in the first instance to render perfect obedience; and to suffer the penalty (death) due for his transgression would ruin him; hence the atonement made by Christ is justly termed a vicarious atonement.
He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa. liii, 5.
For I delivered unto you, first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.
1 Cor. xv, 3.
*Some writers confound atonement with reconciliation, and thus lay the foundation for the most fatal errors, such as Universalism, Restorationism, Swedenborgenism, etc.
The true import of the Hebrew word rendered atonement.
The term in the Hebrew language, which we translate atonement, is copher.
As a verb, it literally signifies to cover;
and as a noun, a covering;
generally, whenever the word occurs, something that has given serious offense, and produced a permanent state of variance between the parties is supposed; and then in relation to the party offended, it signifies to pacify, to appease, or to render him propitious.
---When applied to sin, it signifies to cover, or expiate it; to atone, or make
satisfaction for it.
satisfaction for it.
---When the term represents the sinner himself, it implies his being covered, or protected from punishment, and is rendered a ransom, or atonement for him." J. M. STEPHENSON