reconciliation

A term indicating the changed relationship for the better between persons or groups who were formerly alienated from one another. The NT encourages reconciliation between estranged parties (Matt 5:24; Luke 12:58) and spouses (1Cor 7:11). But the noun and its corresponding verb most often refer to the new relationship between God and humanity effected by Christ’s redemptive work (Rom 5:10-11; Rom 11:15; 2Cor 5:17-20; Eph 2:16; Col 1:20; Col 1:22).