Term

penal substitution

The view that Christ died as a substitute for others, bearing the just penalty of God for their sins.

Filed underChristologySoteriology

Definition

The view that Christ in his death bore the just penalty of God for our sins as a substitute for us.

Connections

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Narrower than

Sources

  1. 1.Wayne A. Grudem Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed.. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020). 27C.2.c.4Original citation: Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020, 27C.2.c.4.

Last revised August 14, 2026