Word Nerd Wednesday – He has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation

Happy Wednesday, friends, and welcome to another Word Nerd post! I’ve spent this summer working through several Bible journaling kits, including the “Currency of Grace” kit from BytheWell4God. It’s been so good! One of the things that stuck out to me this week is the phrase “ministry of reconciliation” from 2 Corinthians 5, and I thought I’d explore it a little more deeply with you today. Hope you enjoy!

The verses: Romans 5:1-6, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

I bought this kit back in April as a sort of birthday present to myself, mostly because it uses some of my favorite colors ever! It was definitely an investment, but ultimately I’m glad that I purchased it because the study has been wonderful. Each day has covered an aspect of God’s grace, from the parable of the Prodigal son in Luke 15 to the “church words” that we sometimes throw around (grace, justification, reconciliation, etc.). I’ve really enjoyed studying this topic, and it has overlapped several times with other topics I’m studying currently which is super cool!

Today, I was journaling on the topic of justification, which took me to Romans 5:1-5. In the NASB translation, this passage reads,

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. And not only [this,] but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:1-5 NASB20

And since I was also studying/reflecting on the topic of reconciliation, I also landed in verses 10-11, which say,

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only [this,] but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Romans 5:10-11 NASB20

And THAT reminded me of one of my favorite passages of Scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. I journaled/studied this passage a few months ago as part of my Wings study, but it’s always worth coming back to learn more! Here’s that first post if you’d like to read it : )

Back then, I was more focused on our identity as ambassadors for Christ, but what’s striking me today is the phrase “ministry of reconciliation.” Let’s dive into that phrase a little more deeply, shall we?

“ministry of reconciliation”

In my initial study of this passage, I focused specifically on verses 19-20. For today’s study, I’d like to expand it to verse 18 as well. Here are all three in the NASB translation:

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 wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NASB20

The word “reconcile, reconciled, reconciling” is used five different times in these three verses! The specific phrase “ministry of reconciliation” is used only once, with the variation “word of reconciliation” also included. Here are the definitions of these key words from the original Greek via Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• “reconcile, reconciled, reconciling” comes from the Greek word katalage, which means “adjustment of a difference, reconciliation, restoration to favor; in the New Testament, of the restoration of the favor of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory (redemptive, sacrificial) death of Christ.” It is also used to describe a restored relationship, where one person ceases to be angry and receives him into favor. Of the specific phrasing in verse 20 (we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God), the lexicon says “allow yourselves to be reconciled to God; do not oppose your return into His favor, but lay hold of that favor now offered you.”
• “ministry” comes from the Greek word diakonia, which is related to the word for servant. It is used to describe “those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men,” and the work of the apostles in the early church. This word is also used for Holy Spirit’s ministry, by which “men are taught how they may become righteous with God,” and ‘the ministry whose work it is to induce men to embrace the offered reconciliation with God.” That last definition relates to the specific passage we’re studying today.
• The phrase “word of reconciliation” used in the later part of the passage uses the Greek word logos, which the lexicon defines as “instruction, specifically, the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God.” Another verse that uses this meaning of logos is 1 Timothy 4:6, which describes being nourished by the word as we’re teaching and instructing others. What’s super cool to me about this use of logos is that this word is also used in John 1, which describes Christ Himself as the Word.

Take-Aways: what does it mean to be entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation?

When I read this verse and reflected on it for the first time, I was blown away by the ESV’s phrasing of “entrusted” with the ministry of reconciliation. I’m not very likely to trust myself with things, especially the important things, so the idea that GOD trusts me?! Whoooooaaaahhh!

And it makes sense, right? God is the one who saves people; He’s the one who gave His Son to die for us, and Holy Spirit is the one who comes into people’s hearts and brings them into relationship with Himself. But He chooses to have us work alongside Him, using our own words and personalities and unique gifts to share that message with others. We steward our relationship with Christ well, and in doing so we become His poiema, His poem, His word expressed to the world. As we grow in acceptance and living in the grace of God, being reconciled to Him day by day, we also invite those around us to do the same. It’s so cool!!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Word Nerd Wednesday post. Can you think of a time that God used your unique gifts to share the Word with someone in your life? I’d love to know!

Happy studying!