SPECIAL TOPIC: "RECONCILIATION" (from Matt. 5:24 and 2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Matt. 5:24 "be reconciled to your brother" The VERB "be reconciled" is a compound of the PREPOSITION dia, meaning "by means of" and allassō, meaning "to change" or "to exchange." It is used only in 2 Cor. 5:24. Normally, in the NT the PREPOSITION is kata, meaning "throughout" or possibly "completely" (cf. Rom. 5:10; 1 Cor. 7:11; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).

This is my exegetical note from 2 Cor. 5:18, 19, 20.

2 Cor. 5:18 "reconciled" This is a major theological truth. The word basically means to exchange or change and thereby to bring together that which was alienated. Rebellious humans have been brought back into fellowship with God through Christ. God exchanged Christ's righteousness (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21) for their sin. Christ died in our place (cf. Isa. 53 [quoted in Acts 8:32-33]; Mark 10:45; Rom. 5:12-21; 2 Cor. 5:14,21).

This context (i.e. 2 Cor. 5:16-21) and Rom. 5:10-11 are the definitive passages on this theological term. Sinners are now friends, even family, with the Holy One. Restoration of the fellowship damaged in the Fall (cf. Gen. 3) has been made complete in Christ.

A discussion of "reconciliation" as a theological concept is in Frank Stagg's New Testament Theology, pp. 102-104, 142.

"and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" Theologically this is parallel to 2 Cor. 5:14-15. Jesus became believers' reconciliation, now they must become the means of sharing the gospel of reconciliation with others. Believers share in Jesus' death (cf. Rom. 6:3-11) and we share in His ministry (cf. 2 Cor. 5:19). Christlike service is the goal (cf. 1 John. 3:16).

5:19 "He has committed to the word of reconciliation" A lost world is not on the doorstep of a powerless, loveless God, but is on the doorstep of an apathetic, unconcerned church.

we have the message
we have the keys of the Kingdom (cf. Matt. 16:19; Rev. 1:18; 3:7)
we have the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:9,11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Tim. 1:14)
we have the marching orders of Jesus (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8)

What will we do?

5:20 "be reconciled to God" This is a PRESENT PASSIVE IMPERATIVE. Is this a command to lost people or to saved people? The larger context is mandating an appropriate lifestyle on the part of believers. Jesus saved us from sin and strife; we are saved to serve! We are called to Christlike ministry, not personal agendas.

This context has a message to a lost, needy world‒Christ died for you (positional righteousness). This context has a message for a factious, unloving church‒Christ died for you (progressive righteousness). The PASSIVE VOICE could be translated:

"let God reconcile you to Himself"
"allow yourselves to be reconciled" (cf. The Jerome Biblical Commentary, p. 281)
"let God change you from enemies into his friends" (cf. TEV)

Believers proclaim the truth, the Spirit convicts the lost, the Son provides the means, and the Father accomplishes His will through covenant response.