καταλλάσσω

From the study of 2 Corinthians 5:19

Range of meaning

The root idea is "to change" or "exchange". In ordinary use the verb was used for exchanging money and, much more often, for bringing hostile parties back to friendship: warring cities, rival political factions, an estranged husband and wife. The noun means the state or act of that restored relationship. It is relationship language, not ritual language. It describes hostility ending and peace being made.

Against the English

English "reconcile" is a fair match. Two modern senses can get in the way, though. One is a mutual compromise where both sides meet halfway. The other is the accounting sense of "reconciling the books". Paul's use is one-sided in where it starts: God alone acts, and the world is acted on.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Jewish Greek writings the usual pattern is that God is reconciled, won back by his people's prayer and repentance. In 2 Maccabees, Jews pray that God "be reconciled with you" (1:5), and the book expects that the Lord "will again be reconciled with his servants" (7:33; compare 5:20; 8:29). Josephus also speaks of God being reconciled after people repent. Paul uses the word of a wife and husband in 1 Corinthians 7:11. Stanley Porter's survey of ancient Greek usage found that Paul's wording here is unusual, perhaps unprecedented: the offended party is the active subject who takes the first step. Cilliers Breytenbach has argued that the background is Greek diplomatic peace-making rather than temple sacrifice.

From the study of Romans 5:10

Range of meaning

Built on allassō, "to change, exchange". In ordinary Greek it meant (1) to exchange, especially money, and (2) much more often, to change a relationship from hostility to friendship: to make peace between warring states, to reconcile an estranged husband and wife, to settle a quarrel. Its family includes the noun katallagē, "reconciliation" (v. 11; 2 Cor 5:18–19).

Against the English

English "reconcile" can suggest two sides meeting in the middle, or the bookkeeping sense of making accounts agree. The Greek is about ending a state of enmity, and the stress falls on the relationship rather than on a balance sheet. Every major translation uses "reconciled". NLT's paraphrase, "restored to friendship", catches the relational sense well.

How it drifted

The drift is mild and mostly a matter of association. The modern idea of mediation or compromise, and the accountant's sense, can make readers picture God and humanity each giving ground, or God being talked round. Neither picture fits Paul's use of the word.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Greek writers it is used of states and armies making peace, and of marital reconciliation (Paul himself uses it this way in 1 Cor 7:11). In Jewish Greek, 2 Maccabees uses it with God as the one who is reconciled: the people pray that God "be reconciled" to them (2 Macc 1:5; 7:33; 8:29), and the martyrs hope their deaths will bring God's anger to an end (7:37–38). Paul turns this around. In his letters God is never the one who is reconciled. God is always the one who reconciles, and people are reconciled to him (Rom 5:10–11; 2 Cor 5:18–20). S. E. Porter's study of the word across Greek literature finds that this pattern is unusual.

From the study of 2 Corinthians 5:18

Range of meaning

Built on allassō, "to change, exchange". In ordinary Greek it meant (1) to exchange, especially money; and, far more often by Paul's time, (2) to reconcile: to change a relationship of hostility or estrangement into one of peace. It was used of warring cities or rulers making peace, and of estranged spouses (Paul uses it this way in 1 Corinthians 7:11). The word is relational and political. It is not a ritual or temple word.

Against the English

"Reconcile" is accurate. Modern English, though, often uses it for balancing accounts ("reconcile a bank statement") or for making two ideas consistent. More importantly, modern readers often picture reconciliation as two equal parties meeting halfway. The Greek word does not require equality. What stands out here is who acts, and English does not show that.

How it drifted

No major drift in the word itself. The risk is reading it as therapy ("feeling at peace with God") or as a two-sided compromise. In Greek it is about an actual change in a relationship and the end of hostility.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Jewish Greek writings the usual pattern is that the offended party, God, is asked or persuaded to be reconciled to the offenders. Examples: 2 Maccabees 1:5 ("may he be reconciled to you"), 5:20, 7:33 and 8:29, where the Jews pray that "the merciful Lord be wholly reconciled with his servants". Josephus speaks of God as "easily reconciled" to those who confess and repent (Jewish War 5.415). Paul turns this pattern around. God, the wronged party, is the subject who does the reconciling, and humans are the ones reconciled. S. E. Porter's study of the word in ancient Greek finds this use rare or unparalleled before Paul.