Colossians 1: 20 – to reconcile

…and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens.

It goes without saying that we can only appreciate this verse if we understand what ‘reconcile’ means. Paul even uses a uniquely amplified form of this verb, but more on that next time.

The word ‘reconcile’ here (Gr. apo-katallasso) is a completely different concept than what is used, for example, in the Hebrews (2:17) or John’s letter (1John 2:2; 4:10) where in the common Dutch translations also incorrectly refer to ‘reconcile’ (Gr. hilaskomai). The latter word means ‘shelter’ or ‘cover’ and is always used in connection with ‘shelter from sins’ (cf. the Hebrew word ‘kaphar’ > Yom Kippur). It is very unfortunate and also very confusing that most Bible translations represent these two completely different concepts with one Dutch word.

The word “reconcile” in Colossians 1:20 is not difficult to understand because it corresponds exactly to what we understand by “reconcile” in everyday speech. This is the case when two parties who are estranged from or hostile towards each other come to peace (cf. 1 Cor. 7:11). Sins are ‘covered’, while enemies are reconciled. Paul teaches that God reconciles ‘all’ to Himself through Christ!

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