12 THE APOSTLE PAUL theology all whose merits are out of all proportion greater than their failings, and, in particular, the Patriarchs ; absolute sinlessness is not an essential condition, since minor faults may be atoned for by penance in this world, so that only reward for merit is to be expected in the next. Conversely, great sinners receive the reward of whatever small merits they have acquired in the form of happiness in this life, so that in the world to come they have only eternal punishment to look forward to; hence the prosperity of the ungodly heathen. As good works deserve reward, so sins must be atoned for, expiated, by penances or services: for sin is a debt for which God exacts payment. God does not forgive without payment, according to the Pharisaic theology, any more than an earthly judge. The expiation is a “ compensation ” or “restitution” in so far as it sets right the relation to God which sin had disturbed ; it is a “propitiation” in so far as it appeases God’s wrath against the sinner and alters His relation towards him. Means of expiation which effect either delay of punishment or complete remission of punish- ment are (1) Penitence (Germ. “Busse,” which includes, but is not limited to, the meaning “pen- ance”, consisting less in an alteration of mind than in confession, fasting, and restitution; (2) Suffering and death, which, as the endurance of the temporal penalty for sin, mitigate the severity of the sentence in the other world; (8) Good works, among which study of the Law and the performance of the ritual observances (¢.g. the Temple sacrifice) are of special importance, after them come fasting, almsgiving, and voluntary martyrdom ; finally (4) the Day of