Definition of Reconciliation in Romans Five
The Greek word for reconciliation, καταλλαγή (katallagē), appears in Romans 5:10-11 and is central to Paul's explanation of the effects of justification by faith [4, 8]. This term signifies a change from enmity to friendship, a mutual transformation between estranged parties [1]. In Romans 5:10, Paul states, "For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life" [2].
The concept of reconciliation in Romans 5:10 refers specifically to God's action towards humanity, rather than a change in human disposition towards God [1]. While humanity was in a state of enmity with God due to sin, God initiated reconciliation through the death of Christ [6, 9, 11]. This means that God, "in Christ," was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them [3, 10]. The enmity that existed before made this reconciliation necessary, as humanity's heart harbored hostility towards holiness and its author [11].
The English word "atonement" is closely related to reconciliation. In Romans 5:11, the King James Version uses "atonement," but the Revised Version and other modern translations correctly render καταλλαγή as "reconciliation" [5, 7, 8]. The original meaning of "atonement" itself was "at-one-ment," signifying the state of being reconciled [5, 8]. Thus, atonement is the means by which reconciliation is brought about, specifically through the death of Christ [5]. Adam Clarke notes that it was "improper to translate καταλλαγη here by atonement, instead of reconciliation" because the Greek verb καταλλασσω means "to reconcile" [7].
Through this reconciliation, believers "joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ" [4, 8]. This joy stems from the understanding that God is reconciled to them, and the enmity has been removed from their souls [7]. The reconciliation received through Christ leads to an expectation of eternal glory [7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- Romans “For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life. -- Romans 5:10”
- 2 Corinthians “namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. -- 2 Corinthians 5:19”
- Romans “Romans 5:11 (BSB) — Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:10: For if when we were enemies,.... For the further illustration of the love of God expressed to sinners, by the death of his Son, the state and condition God's elect were in when Christ died for them is taken notice of; they "were enemies"; to God, to his being, perfections, purposes, and providences; to Christ, to his person, offices, grace, and righteousness; to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit, and his divine operations and influences; to the people of God, and to the Gospel and ordinances of Christ; which enmity is deeply rooted in their minds, is causeless, and”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 5:11: We also joy (καυχωμενοι, we exult, or glory) in God, etc. - We now feel that God is reconciled to us, and we are reconciled to him: the enmity is removed from our souls; and He, for Christ's sake, through whom we have received the atonement, καταλλαγην, the reconciliation, has remitted the wrath, the punishment which we deserved: and now, through this reconciliation, we expect an eternal glory. It was certainly improper to translate καταλλαγη here by atonement, instead of reconciliation; as καταλλασσω signifies to reconcile, and is so rendered by our translators in ”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 5:11: And not only so, but we also joy--rather, "glory." in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by--"through" whom we have now received the atonement--rather, "the reconciliation" (Margin), as the same word is rendered in Rom 5:10 and in Co2 5:18-19. (In fact, the earlier meaning of the English word "atonement" was "the reconciliation of two estranged parties") [TRENCH]. The foregoing effects of justification were all benefits to ourselves, calling for gratitude; this last may be termed a purely disinterested one. Our first feeling towards God, after we h”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith - The apostle takes it for granted that he has proved that justification is by faith, and that the Gentiles have an equal title with the Jews to salvation by faith. And now he proceeds to show the effects produced in the hearts of the believing Gentiles by this doctrine. We are justified - have all our sins pardoned by faith, as the instrumental cause; for, being sinners, we have no works of righteousness that we can plead. We have peace with God - Before, while sinners, we were in a state of enmity with God, which was sufficiently ”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:19: God was in Christ, reconciling--that is, God was BY Christ (in virtue of Christ's intervention) reconciling," &c. Was reconciling" implies the time when the act of reconciliation was being carried into effect (Co2 5:21), namely, when "God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us." The compound of "was" and the participle "reconciling," instead of the imperfect (Greek), may also imply the continuous purpose of God, from before the foundation of the world, to reconcile man to Himself, whose fall was foreseen. The expression " IN Christ" for "”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 5:10: For if, when we were enemies - See under Rom 5:6 (note). We were reconciled - The enmity existing before rendered the reconciliation necessary. In every human heart there is a measure of enmity to holiness, and, consequently to the author of it. Men seldom suspect this; for one property of sin is to blind the understanding, so that men do not know their own state. We shall be saved by his life - 1. For, as he died for our sins, so he rose again for our justification; and his resurrection to life, is the grand proof that he has accomplished whatever he had purposed ”