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and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We are reconciled to God because of Jesus Christ\u2019s death.<\/p>\n \u201cHe might reconcile<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek verb apokatalass\u014d<\/em><\/span>. This is made up of apo<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cfrom\u201d or \u201caway from,\u201d kata<\/em><\/span>, used as an intensifier, and allass\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto change.\u201d This word implies a reconciliation which comes from a dramatic change. In other words, it refers to restoring harmony or fellowship between two parties as a result of a dramatic change on the part of one of them.<\/p>\n The word \u201cbody<\/span>\u201d is soma<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201ca body, either literally or figuratively.\u201d In this case it refers to the physical body of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n \u201cCross<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek noun stauros<\/em><\/span>, which is derived from the base of the verb hist\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto stand.\u201d It refers to \u201ca stake\u201d or \u201ca cross\u201d (something set upright) to which criminals were tied or nailed as a form of execution.<\/p>\n The expression \u201cputting to death<\/span>\u201d comes from the verb apoktein\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is composed of apo<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cfrom\u201d or \u201caway from\u201d and the verb ktein\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto slay.\u201d Thus, apoktein\u014d<\/em><\/span> means \u201cto kill\u201d or \u201cto put to death.\u201d<\/p>\n This verse really focuses on the Greek word apokatalass\u014d<\/em><\/span>, the reconciliation of mankind to God. In other words, God has restored harmony and fellowship between us and Him as a result of a change in our status. That change is from being a condemned sinner to having the righteousness of Christ. But Paul makes a special point of declaring that both Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled to God. Jews needed reconciliation because they failed to keep the whole law. And Gentiles needed reconciliation as well because we were estranged from God and His blessing.<\/p>\n This reconciliation took place in the physical body of Jesus Christ. As the second person of the Godhead, Jesus is completely God. But, because He took on human form, that is, a physical human body just like you and I have, subject to pain, suffering, and death, He is also completely human. Because He became completely human and lived a life without sin, he was able to offer up His life in that body, through the pain and suffering of the cross, as the payment for our sins.<\/p>\n At this point Paul employs one of his \u201cplay on words\u201d for which he is noted. He tells us that because of the death of His body, Jesus put to death the enmity, the hatred and hostility between Jews and Gentiles. By His death, He reconciled both Jew and Gentile with God and put to death the hostility between us.<\/p>\n In his letter to the Romans, Paul said:<\/p>\n For the death<\/em><\/span> that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life<\/em><\/span> that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.<\/span> (Romans 6:10-11<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n If we are dead to sin then it cannot have mastery over us, and we can live our lives to God as a result of the bodily death of Jesus Christ. Do you consider yourself to be dead to sin and alive to God?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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