Reconciliation — Meaning in the Bible
Bringing enemies or estranged people back into peace. Paul uses it for God reconciling people to himself through Christ, and believers are called to be reconciled to one another.
What it means
Jacob and Esau meet again after years of estrangement and embrace. Jesus tells people to be reconciled to their brother before bringing a gift to the altar. Genesis 33:1–11Matthew 5:23–24
Paul writes that God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us "the ministry of reconciliation"; he also speaks of Jew and Gentile reconciled in one body. 2 Corinthians 5:17–21Romans 5:10–11Ephesians 2:14–16
Key passages
- Genesis 33:1–11 — Jacob and Esau.
- Matthew 5:23–24 — First be reconciled.
- Romans 5:10–11 — Reconciled through his death.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 — The ministry of reconciliation.
- Ephesians 2:14–16 — Two made one.
Original language
καταλλαγή katallagē
Greek · Strong’s G2643 · gloss: “reconciliation”
The Greek word for reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18
A Strong’s number is a reference identifier, not a complete definition: what a word means in a passage depends on its context. Lexical data: STEPBible.org, based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
Study further
- Genesis 32–33 Jacob prepares to meet Esau.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11–21 Paul's teaching.