Denotes the dramatic change from enmity to friendship, from alienation to restored relationship. In Paul's theology, this is God's initiative: while we were enemies, God reconciled us to himself through Christ (Rom 5:11). The word carries rich overtones from its secular Greek usage in diplomacy and currency exchange -- a costly transaction that restores proper value. Paul speaks of both the personal gift of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-19) and its cosmic scope, as Israel's rejection meant reconciliation for the world (Rom 11:15). Every language reaches for its deepest relational vocabulary: Spanish 'reconciliacion,' French 'reconciliation,' German 'Versöhnung.'