In biblical terms, "reckonings" often refer to the act of accounting, calculating, or considering something with careful thought. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, where it is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. The term can denote a time of judgment, an assessment of one's actions, or the process of understanding and acknowledging God's work and promises.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, reckonings are frequently associated with the idea of judgment and accountability. For instance, in Genesis 15:6, it is written, "Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Here, the term "credited" can be understood as a form of reckoning, where God accounts Abram's faith as righteousness. This sets a precedent for understanding how faith and actions are evaluated by God.

The concept of reckoning is also evident in the laws and statutes given to Israel. In Leviticus 25:50, the term is used in the context of the Year of Jubilee: "He and his buyer are to count the time from the year he sold himself up to the Year of Jubilee, and the price of his sale shall be based on the number of years, according to the time of a hired worker." This passage illustrates a literal reckoning of time and value, emphasizing fairness and justice in economic transactions.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, reckonings take on a more spiritual dimension, often relating to the believer's relationship with God through Christ. Romans 6:11 states, "So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." Here, the act of reckoning involves a conscious decision to view oneself in light of Christ's redemptive work, emphasizing the transformative power of faith.

The Apostle Paul frequently uses the concept of reckoning in his epistles to explain the believer's new identity in Christ. In Romans 4:4-5, Paul writes, "Now to the one who works, his wages are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." This passage highlights the distinction between human effort and divine grace, where reckoning is an act of divine accounting that attributes righteousness to faith rather than works.

Eschatological Reckonings

Reckonings also have an eschatological aspect, referring to the final judgment when all individuals will give an account of their lives before God. In Matthew 12:36, Jesus warns, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." This future reckoning underscores the importance of living a life that reflects God's standards, knowing that every action and word will be evaluated.

The Book of Revelation further elaborates on this theme, depicting the ultimate reckoning at the end of times. Revelation 20:12 describes the scene: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books." This passage presents a vivid image of the final reckoning, where each person's life is assessed in the presence of God.

Theological Implications

Theologically, reckonings emphasize God's sovereignty, justice, and grace. They remind believers of the importance of faith, the reality of divine judgment, and the assurance of salvation through Christ. Reckonings call for a life of integrity, accountability, and reliance on God's promises, encouraging believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling.

In summary, the concept of reckonings in the Bible encompasses both temporal and eternal dimensions, serving as a reminder of God's righteous judgment and the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ.

Preface to the Benedictine Edition.
... Certainly the persons best skilled in the Paschal reckonings, whom I have consulted,
have admitted that an error of this sort sometimes does happen in such ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/preface to the benedictine edition.htm

The Sunday-School Teacher --A Steward
... You know there is a proverb, that "short reckonings make long friends," and
a very true proverb it is. A man will always be at friendship ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the sunday-school teachera steward.htm

Peace
... I commune with my own heart.' Psalm 77:7. Often reckonings keep God and conscience
friends. ... Keep your reckonings even, for that is the way to keep your peace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/7 peace.htm

Note 1
... Josephus, indeed, has admitted not a few faults and slips into his historical works;
but it is surely going too far to say that the two reckonings given in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/note 1 2.htm

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
... The world thinks, Blessed are they on the pinnacle; but Christ pronounces them blessed
who are in the valley. Christ's reckonings and the world's do not agree. ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/4 blessed are the poor.htm

"Most Gladly Therefore Will I Rather Glory in My Infirmities, that ...
... wane,. And teaching me my frail mortality. By solemn reckonings of the weight
of pain. I in my weakness " how was I to reign,. When ...
/.../waring/hymns and meditations/most gladly therefore will i.htm

Their High Antiquity, First of All, Claims Authority for These ...
... Greek censors' lists must be compared, and the dates of events ascertained, that
the chronological connections may be opened up, and thus the reckonings of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xix their high antiquity.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xii. 33, "Either Make the Tree ...
... O Lord, of mercy and judgment." [2488] He gave then remission of sins to those who
believed in Him, He would not even take account with them of past reckonings ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxii on the words.htm

The Word was in the Beginning, IE , in Wisdom, which Contained all ...
... in accordance with the sketches of the builder or designer, the house or the ship
having their beginning (arche) in the sketches and reckonings in his mind, so ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/22 the word was in.htm

The Historia Acephala.
... The Latin text (including letters 46, 47, and a Letter of the Council of Sardica)
is very imperfect, but the annalist is so careful in his reckonings, and so ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/a the historia acephala.htm

Reckonings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Reckonings (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 10:5 For
we overthrow arrogant 'reckonings,' and every stronghold ...
/r/reckonings.htm - 6k

Reckoning (32 Occurrences)

/r/reckoning.htm - 16k

Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:5 For we overthrow arrogant 'reckonings,' and every stronghold
that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every ...
/o/overthrow.htm - 21k

Weeks (17 Occurrences)
... to be assumed. The divergent reckonings are legion, and are mutually
contradictory (see table in Pusey, p. 217). To invalidate the ...
/w/weeks.htm - 16k

Towers (38 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:5 For we overthrow arrogant 'reckonings,' and every stronghold
that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every ...
/t/towers.htm - 18k

Reckons (3 Occurrences)

/r/reckons.htm - 7k

Defiance (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:5 For we overthrow arrogant 'reckonings,' and every stronghold
that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every ...
/d/defiance.htm - 9k

Arrogant (60 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:5 For we overthrow arrogant 'reckonings,' and every stronghold
that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every ...
/a/arrogant.htm - 22k

Subjection (40 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:5 For we overthrow arrogant 'reckonings,' and every stronghold
that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every ...
/s/subjection.htm - 18k

Stronghold (68 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:5 For we overthrow arrogant 'reckonings,' and every stronghold
that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every ...
/s/stronghold.htm - 25k

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