G604

ἀποκαταλλάσσω

apokatallássō /ap-ok-at-al-las'-so/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἀπό and καταλλάσσω
Meaningto reconcile fully
KJV usagereconcile.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of apokatallássō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word apokatallássō, represented by G604, defines the action to reconcile fully. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from ἀπό and καταλλάσσω, the term communicates a complete and thorough restoration from a prior state of hostility or separation.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G604 describes God's definitive act of restoring a broken relationship. This reconciliation is comprehensive, intended to reconcile all things in heaven and earth to himself through the peace made by the "blood of his cross" Colossians 1:20. The term is applied to those who were once "alienated and enemies" but have now been brought into a state of peace Colossians 1:21. It is also used to show how the cross unites divided parties, so that God might reconcile both "unto God in one body," effectively slaying the enmity that separated them Ephesians 2:16.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the state from which reconciliation is necessary:

  • G526 apallotrióō (to estrange away... alienate, be alien): This word describes the initial condition of separation. Those who are reconciled were once alienated and cut off from a relationship with God Colossians 1:21.
  • G2190 echthrós (an adversary... enemy, foe): This term defines the hostile relationship that is resolved through reconciliation. Scripture states that people were enemies in their minds before this divine intervention Colossians 1:21.
  • G2189 échthra (hostility... enmity, hatred): This noun signifies the active opposition that is nullified by reconciliation. The act of reconciling slays the enmity, removing the reason for opposition Ephesians 2:16.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G604 is centered on the resolution of sin and separation.

  • Resolution of Enmity: The word addresses a fundamental state of hostility toward God. Before reconciliation, individuals are described not just as distant but as enemies G2190 who were alienated G526 because of wicked works Colossians 1:21.
  • The Cross as the Means: The act of being fully reconciled is directly and exclusively attributed to the cross. It is "by the cross" that God reconciles humanity to Himself, "having slain the enmity" Ephesians 2:16. Peace is established "through the blood of his cross" Colossians 1:20.
  • A Complete Restoration to God: The reconciliation is not partial but complete. The goal is to reconcile all things to God G2316, bringing formerly hostile parties into "one body" Ephesians 2:16 and presenting them as holy and blameless before Him.

Summary

In summary, G604 is more than a term for mending a disagreement; it represents a divine and total restoration from a state of alienation and enmity. This full reconciliation is accomplished through the cross, resolving deep-seated hostility and bringing former enemies into a peaceful relationship with God. Its use in Scripture underscores the power of the cross to fundamentally change a person's standing before God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Singular
One.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G526 ἀπαλλοτριόω from ἀπό and a derivative of ἀλλότριος; to estrange away, i.e. (passively and figuratively) to be non-participant:-- ali G2190 ἐχθρός from a primary (to hate); hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especiall G2189 ἔχθρα feminine of ἐχθρός; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition:--enmity, hatred. G2316 θεός of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Colossians (2 verses); never once in the other 25.

1
Ephesians
2
Colossians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.