καταλλάσσω: God's word for redemption
Katallassō / Katallagē (kat-al-las'-so / kat-al-lag-ay') — to reconcile, reconciliation
This Resurrection Sunday, I want us to sit with one of the most beautiful words in all of Scripture: katallagē—reconciliation. The Bible is the story of God redeeming His people for His glory and this word sits right at the heart of that story.
In the Greco-Roman world, katallagē was actually a diplomatic term—used when two parties in conflict, whether nations or families, came together through a mediator to restore peace. Paul's first-century readers would have immediately recognized this word. But here's where the gospel utterly transforms it: in every human reconciliation, both parties work toward peace. In God's reconciliation, the offended party—God Himself—provides the Mediator and bears the entire cost. That Mediator is Jesus. That cost is the cross.
In 2 Corinthians 5:18, Paul tells us that God "reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." We've been entrusted with two inseparable callings: a ministry of reconciliation—embodying God's reconciling heart through love, sacrifice, and prayer—and a message of reconciliation—boldly announcing that through Christ, peace with God is possible.
This Easter, remember to praise Him because He has brought reconciliation to us! He provided the way. He bore the cost. And now He invites us to carry that same reconciling love into the world around us.
Who in your life needs to hear the message of katallagē today?
Scriptures where we find "Katallagē":
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 —
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
