διαλλάσσομαι

I become reconciled to, reconcile myself with

Definition

διαλλάσσομαι means to change or exchange, specifically to change from a state of enmity to one of friendship, i.e., to become reconciled. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Matthew 5:24, it describes the action of a worshipper who, remembering a brother has something against him, must first 'be reconciled' to that brother before offering a gift at the altar. The word emphasizes the active process of restoring a broken relationship, moving from alienation to peace. While other Greek words for reconciliation (like καταλλάσσω) are used more broadly for God reconciling humanity to Himself, διαλλάσσομαι in this context focuses on interpersonal reconciliation between people.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 5:24, within Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. It appears in a specific ethical and religious context: Jesus instructs His listeners that reconciliation with an offended brother takes priority over formal religious ritual (offering a gift at the altar). The usage is imperative, commanding proactive action to restore peace in a human relationship as a prerequisite for right worship.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition διά (dia), meaning 'through' or 'thoroughly,' combined with a root related to άλλάσσω (allassō, G236), meaning 'to change' or 'to exchange.' Thus, διαλλάσσομαι carries the sense of a thorough change or exchange, specifically an exchange of hostile relations for friendly ones. It is a middle/passive deponent verb, often implying the subject acts in their own interest or undergoes the change.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it underscores the priority of reconciled human relationships in Christian discipleship. Jesus' command in Matthew 5:24 links vertical worship of God with horizontal peace among people, showing that true worship is hindered by unreconciled conflict. Understanding this Greek term highlights that reconciliation is not merely a feeling but an active process of change that the believer is responsible to initiate, mirroring the greater reconciliation God accomplishes in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

In the 1st-century Jewish context, bringing a gift or sacrifice to the altar in the temple was a central act of worship and piety. Jesus' instruction to leave the gift and first be reconciled would have been striking, elevating ethical reconciliation with a community member ('your brother') above the immediate performance of a sacred ritual. This challenged any notion that religious duty could be separated from right interpersonal relationships.

καταλλάσσω (katallassō, G2644) — The more common NT word for reconciliation, often used for God's act of reconciling the world to Himself through Christ (e.g., Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). διαλλάσσομαι focuses on interpersonal reconciliation, while καταλλάσσω focuses on the divine initiative in cosmic reconciliation.

Word Details

Scripture References