To What Does the Reconciling in 2 Corinthians 5:19 Refer?

Abstract

In this exegetical brief, Rick Curia identifies two different schools of thought among confessional Lutherans concerning the meaning of reconciliation. The Hoenecke/Meyer understanding is that reconciliation is the equivalent of justification, while the Pieper/Schaller understanding is that reconciliation=satisfaction or appeasement of the one offended accomplished by Christ. Curia comes to the conclusion that they are both acceptable ways of understanding this term when explained properly according to the truths of Scripture.