καταλλαγή (katallagē)
katallagē
reconciliation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun katallagē denotes a profound restoration of favor, rooted in the commercial language of exchange. Its primary sense involves adjusting a difference or settling a debt, which Paul adapts to describe God’s initiative in reconciling humanity to Himself. This is not merely a change of attitude but a concrete restoration of relationship, as seen when Romans 5:11 describes believers rejoicing in this reconciliation through Jesus Christ.
A key distinction lies in its application to the cosmos in Romans 11:15. Here, the term expands beyond individual forgiveness to describe the renewal of the world’s standing with God, suggesting a cosmic scope for this restored favor. The word appears alongside "ministry of reconciliation" in 2 Corinthians 5:18, highlighting that this restored status is both a gift received and a mission entrusted.
The term carries significant theological weight by framing salvation as a settled account rather than an ongoing negotiation. It emphasizes that the barrier between God and humanity has been removed through Christ’s death, establishing a new reality of peace. Translators consistently render it as "reconciliation," capturing this decisive shift from enmity to favored status.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word describes a settled account where hostility is replaced by peace. It moves beyond simple forgiveness to establish a new, stable relationship with God. The barrier that once separated us has been removed, not by our efforts, but by Christ’s work on the cross. This means your standing before God is secure and fixed.
Paul uses this term in 2 Corinthians 5:18 to show that this peace is both a gift we receive and a task we share. We are invited into this restored favor and asked to extend it to others. It is not an ongoing negotiation but a completed reality that shapes how we live each day.
Even Romans 11:15 hints at a wider scope, suggesting this peace touches the whole world. For you, this means you can rest in the certainty of God’s love. Let this truth ground your heart and guide your interactions with those around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- reconciliation1×
- of reconciliation.1×
- of reconciliation,1×
- [is the] reconciliation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καταλλαγῆς.¶1×
- καταλλαγῆς,1×
- καταλλαγὴν1×
- καταλλαγὴ1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 5:11
Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
This verse highlights that reconciliation is a present reality believers have already received, serving as the basis for their joy in God.
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II Corinthians 5:18
But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Here the term links the personal act of being reconciled to God with the subsequent responsibility of sharing this message with others.
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Romans 11:15
For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?
This occurrence expands the concept beyond individuals, suggesting that the restoration of Israel has a profound, life-giving impact on the wider world.