What is…
reconciliation

a change from enmity to friendship; making peace

It is mutual, a change produced in both parties who have been in hostility.

• In Col. 1:21-22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be “reconciled to God”, i.e., to lay aside their enmity.

• Romans 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconciled. Romans 5:11 teaches the same truth. From God we have received “the reconciliation” (Revised King James Version), i.e., he has conferred on us the token of his friendship.

  So also 2 Corinthians speaks of a reconciliation originating with God, and consisting in the removal of his merited wrath.

  Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgressions against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. —2 Corinthians 5:18-19

  In Ephesians 2:16, it is clear that the Apostle Paul does not refer to the winning back of the sinner in love and loyalty to God, but to the restoration of God's forfeited favor.

  This is effected by His justice being satisfied, so that he can, in consistency with his own nature, be favorable toward sinners.

  Justice demands the punishment of sinners. The death of Christ satisfies justice, and so reconciles God to us.

  This reconciliation makes God our friend, and enables him to pardon and save us.