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Reconciliation

καταλλαγή/rek-un-sil-ee-AY-shun/

“Exchange; reconciliation”

Summary

Reconciliation is the restoration of friendship between God and man through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, removing the enmity caused by sin.

☩The Need for Reconciliation

Scripture describes sinful humanity as having been at enmity with God. This enmity is mutual: humans are hostile to God in their minds and evil works, and sinners are objects of God's judicial displeasure. The expressions 'reconciliation' and 'making peace' necessarily suppose a previous state of hostility between God and man. This is not merely malignant feeling but a legal relation, as between a sovereign and a criminal who has violated his laws.

Key verses:Romans 5:10Colossians 1:21Romans 8:7

☩God's Act of Reconciliation

The reconciliation spoken of in Scripture is an act of God, not of man. 'If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son' demonstrates that God effected the reconciliation while humanity was still hostile. 'God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.' This reconciliation is not our conversion but a benefit obtained for us by Christ's death, previous to and independent of our reception of it.

Key verses:Romans 5:10-112 Corinthians 5:18-21Ephesians 2:16

☩The Ministry of Reconciliation

Having accomplished reconciliation through Christ's cross, God has committed to believers the ministry of reconciliation. The testimony goes out worldwide, beseeching people to be reconciled to God. Christ also abolished the system of the law so that Jew and Gentile might be reconciled together unto God, the two being formed in Christ into one new man. The ultimate result of reconciliation will extend to all things in heaven and on earth.

Key verses:2 Corinthians 5:18-20Ephesians 2:14-16Colossians 1:20

Related Verses17 mentions

Romans· 3 verses

5:15:1011:15

Genesis· 2 verses

33:433:11

Ezekiel· 2 verses

45:1545:17

2 Corinthians· 2 verses

5:185:19

See Also

German: Geschichte Hiobs: Die Buße Hiobs und der Segen Gottes Job Story: Job's Atonement and the Blessing of Godtitle QS:P1476,de:"Geschichte Hiobs: Die Buße Hiobs und der Segen Gottes "
Atonement
Redemption
Redemption
Regeneration
Regeneration

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Reconciliation," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Reconciliation," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
  3. 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Reconciliation," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  4. 4.George Morrish, "Reconciliation," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  5. 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Reconciliation," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).