📖 Biblical Definition
Reconciliation is the decisive, finished work of God in Christ’s death by which He reconciled the world unto Himself. "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). Reconciliation is God’s side of peace-making accomplished, not negotiated — He has acted; the saint receives the proclamation. The cross removed the enmity (Ephesians 2:14-17; Colossians 1:20) so that hostile sinners may now come home as sons. Reconciled to God, the saint is reconciled to all who are likewise reconciled.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
RECONCILIATION, n. The act of reconciling parties at variance; renewal of friendship after disagreement.
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1. The act of reconciling, or the state of being reconciled; reconcilement; renewal of friendship after disagreement or enmity. 2. In Scripture, the means by which sinners, who are alienated from God by sin, are restored to His favor through the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
📖 Key Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:18 — "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;"
2 Corinthians 5:19 — "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them."
2 Corinthians 5:20 — "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ… we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
2 Corinthians 5:21 — "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern usage flattens reconciliation into mutual apology between equals.
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The therapeutic age treats reconciliation as a horizontal contract—both parties admit fault, meet halfway, restore civility. The offended God becomes a sentimental partner; the cross becomes a symbol of inclusion rather than the legal ground of peace.
Scripture reverses the picture entirely. God is the offended party, sinners are at enmity, and reconciliation is accomplished by Christ's blood before any human consent. We do not negotiate with Heaven; we receive the reconciliation already made (Romans 5:11) and beg others, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek katallassō — to exchange, to change enmity for friendship.
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G2644 — katallassō — to reconcile, exchange enmity for friendship
G2643 — katallagē — reconciliation, restoration to favor
G604 — apokatallassō — to reconcile completely, fully restore
Usage
"Reconciliation is not a meeting in the middle—God came all the way to Calvary."
"Christ did not make God reconcilable; He reconciled."
"The ministry of reconciliation begs men to receive what is already finished."