καταλλάσσω (katallassō)
katallassō
to reconcile
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katallassō describes a decisive shift from hostility to friendship. Its root meaning involves exchanging one thing for another, much like swapping coins for currency of equal value. In biblical usage, this economic image transforms into a relational reality: enemies are reconciled through a change in status and attitude.
This word appears five times in the New Testament, primarily in Paul’s letters to Corinth and Rome. It captures the profound work of God restoring broken relationships, as seen when Paul describes believers being reconciled to God through Christ’s death (Romans 5:10). It also applies to human interactions, such as a wife returning to her husband after separation (1 Corinthians 7:11).
Translators often render katallassō simply as "reconcile," but the word carries the weight of active restoration. It is not merely a feeling of peace but a concrete change in standing. The sources highlight that this reconciliation is initiated by God, who changes the condition of humanity from alienation to favor.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katallassō describes a decisive shift from hostility to friendship. Its root meaning involves exchanging one thing for another, much like swapping coins for currency of equal value. In biblical usage, this economic image transforms into a relational reality: enemies are reconciled through a change in status and attitude.
This word appears five times in the New Testament, primarily in Paul’s letters to Corinth and Rome. It captures the profound work of God restoring broken relationships, as seen when Paul describes believers being reconciled to God through Christ’s death (Romans 5:10). It also applies to human interactions, such as a wife returning to her husband after separation (1 Corinthians 7:11).
Translators often render katallassō simply as "reconcile," but the word carries the weight of active restoration. It is not merely a feeling of peace but a concrete change in standing. The sources highlight that this reconciliation is initiated by God, who changes the condition of humanity from alienation to favor.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- we were reconciled1×
- she should be reconciled;1×
- reconciling1×
- having reconciled1×
- having been reconciled1×
- do be reconciled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατηλλάγημεν1×
- καταλλάσσων1×
- καταλλάξαντος1×
- καταλλάγητε1×
- καταλλαγήτω·1×
- καταλλαγέντες1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 5:10
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.
This verse highlights the foundational truth that reconciliation with God began while we were still enemies, emphasizing grace over merit.
-
II Corinthians 5:19
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.
Here the text reveals that God was actively in Christ reconciling the world, not counting trespasses, which underscores the unilateral nature of divine forgiveness.
-
II Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Paul uses this term to urge believers to respond to God's initiative by personally accepting the offer of reconciliation, framing it as an urgent appeal.