Paul Ellingworth on the Use of ἱλάσκεσθαι in Hebrews 2:17

There are New Testament texts that speak of Jesus as being a present ιλασμος (propitiation) for our sins, such as 1 John 2:1-2 and Heb 2:17. I have discussed these passages and others at:

Full Refutation of the Protestant Interpretation of John 19:30

Heb 2:17 itself uses the present infinitive form of the verb ιλασκομαι “to make atonement” (ιλασκεσθαι), and this present “making of atonement” is “for the sins of the people” (τας αμαρτιας του λαου).

Paul Ellingworth, a Protestant, wrote the following about Heb 2:17 and the use of ιλασκεσθαι (I have added this to the John 19:30 article linked above):

The present verse suggests that he “became” high priest in order that he might continuously deal (ἱλάσκεσθαι present) with the people’s sins . . . Ἱλάσκεσθαι (cf. ἱλαστήριον, 9:5*, “mercy-seat”) is used in the NT only here and in Lk. 18:13**, where ἱλάσθητι means “be merciful” (cf. Est. 4:17h LXX; Dn. Th. 9:19). The present ἱλάσκεσθαι denotes continuous activity by one who remains high priest εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα (5:6 = Ps. 110[LXX109]:4) following his exaltation. (Paul Ellingworth, The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on the Greek Text [New International Greek Testament Commentary; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1993], 186, 188, emphasis added)