Pax:
You are mistaken. The word atonement is found in Romans 5:11 in the KJV. Other translations will frequently use the word “reconciliation” which is a synonym for atonement in the NT.
Sorry, but you’re sadly mistaken. “Atonement” in the KJV is an unfortunate translation and should be translated, according the Greek, as “reconciliation.” It is the Greek word
katallage (noun form) and corresponds, in context, to the previous verse where this same word (in verb form) is translated by the KJV translators as “reconciled” (Gr.
katallasso). The Greek word did not change so the English word should not have changed either. This same exact Greek word is translated in the KJV as
“the reconciling” in Rom. 11:15.
Divine reconciliation, through the finished work of Christ on the cross, finds its greatest unfolding in 2 Cor. 5:19-21, where Paul states that God reconciled (past tense) us (true believers) to Himself through Christ (i.e., through His blood sacrifice); and the ministry, or "
word of reconciliation," committed to the Apostles and subsequent generations after them consists of this, “that God was in Christ reconciling (
katallasson] the world to Himself.” And the matter of this reconciliation is based on the fact that “
He (God) made* Him *(Jesus)
who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf (His substitutionary sacrifice), *so that we might become *(through personal faith in Him) *the righteousness of God IN HIM” *(2 Cor. 5:21).
The Greek words
katallasso,
apokatallasso and
katallage are translated “reconciliation,” “reconcile” and “reconciling” everywhere in the KJV except that ONE TIME in Rom. 5:11. All other translations that I have read translate it “reconciliation” : NASB, NIV, RSV, Williams, Amplified, and others. And some Protestant commentaries make note of the mistranslation in the KJV.
William Beck, the Greek scholar, actually translates it "
friendship" because the Greek word “
katallage” properly “denotes a change on the part of one party, induced by an action on the part of another” (Vine). Through Christ’s work of reconciliation on the cross all true believers, at the time of personal belief in Him, are reconciled (forever) to God, i.e., changed from an once enemy of God (because of sin and rebellion) to a
“friend” of God.
For this reason Paul confidently states in Rom. 5:10:
“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.”
The word has gone out into the world that all sinners who put their faith in Christ, because of the cross, are completely, perfectly and forever
reconciled (changed) in their relationship status with God. This
“word of reconciliation” was committed to the Apostles (2 Cor. 5:18), and through their ministry announced to the world: *“we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” *(i.e., through faith in Christ). In Rom. 5:11 it is not the “atonement” we receive but the “reconciliation” wrought in Christ.
The world (secular and religious) has been trying to silence this message from its onset. Where are you in respect to this glorious message of divine reconciliation, Pax? A friend or an enemy?