Let us consider 1 John 2:2

1 John 2:2 - 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Let's focus on the word "propitiation". Strong's number 2434 - hilasmos; atonement, i.e. (concr.) an expiator: -propitiation

Question: If Jesus is the One Who offers Himself to appease the Father for OUR sin, if He is the One Who satisfies an infinitely holy God's justice in dealing with OUR sin; if He is the One Who pays the penalty for OUR sin - OUR sin ... Then it says that He has done so for the whole world as well...
How is it possible that He has done so for us (actual)
And also for the world (potential)?

I do not see how the definition for propitiation can be both actual and potential, especially in view of verse 1, view both together - 1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.


Calvinists and nonCals, what say you?

Propitiation by Phil Johnson

Propitiation
by Phil Johnson

Too many Christians think of divine forgiveness as something that utterly overturns justice and sets it aside—as if God's mercy nullified His justice—as if God's love defeated and revoked His hatred of sin. That's not how forgiveness works.



Is forgiveness from sin grounded only in the love and mercy and goodness of God—apart from his justice? Does love alone prompt the Almighty to forego the due penalty of sin, wipe out the record of our wrongdoing, and nullify the claims of justice against us, unconditionally?



Or must God Himself be propitiated? In other words, do His righteousness and His holy wrath against sin need to be satisfied before He can forgive?



It truly seems as if most people today—including multitudes who identify themselves as Christians—think God forgives merely because His love overwhelms His holy hatred of sin. Some go even further, rejecting the notion of propitiation altogether, claiming it makes God seem too harsh. The problem with every such view of the atonement is that mercy without propitiation turns forgiveness into an act of injustice.



Please read more here....
http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2007/04/propitiation.html