The term "reckons" in the biblical context often refers to the act of considering, counting, or regarding something in a particular way. It is a term that appears in various forms throughout the Scriptures, conveying the idea of judgment, evaluation, or accounting. In the Berean Standard Bible, the concept of reckoning is integral to understanding both God's relationship with humanity and the moral and spiritual responsibilities of individuals.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "reckon" is "חשׁב" (chashab), which means to think, account, or regard. This term is used in various contexts, including the evaluation of righteousness and sin. For example, in Genesis 15:6, it is written, "Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Here, the act of reckoning is God's accounting of Abram's faith as righteousness, highlighting the principle that faith is recognized and valued by God.

The concept of reckoning also appears in the context of the sacrificial system and the law. Leviticus 7:18 states, "If any of the meat of his peace offering is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted or credited to him who offers it; it will be an abomination, and the one who eats of it shall bear his iniquity." This passage illustrates the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of failing to adhere to them.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "λογίζομαι" (logizomai) is often translated as "reckon" or "consider." This term is used extensively by the Apostle Paul in his epistles to explain theological concepts such as justification and imputation. Romans 4:3-5 states, "For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' 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."

Paul's use of "reckon" in this context underscores the doctrine of justification by faith, where believers are considered righteous before God not because of their works, but because of their faith in Jesus Christ. This reckoning is a divine act of grace, emphasizing that righteousness is a gift from God, not a result of human effort.

Theological Implications

The concept of reckoning in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It reflects God's sovereign authority to judge and evaluate human actions and intentions. It also highlights the transformative power of faith, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Abraham and in the teachings of the New Testament.

Reckoning is closely associated with the idea of imputation, where the righteousness of Christ is credited to believers, and their sins are not counted against them. This is a foundational aspect of Christian soteriology, emphasizing the grace and mercy of God in the salvation process.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical concept of reckoning serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience. It encourages individuals to live in a manner that aligns with God's will, knowing that their actions and beliefs are subject to divine evaluation. The assurance that faith is reckoned as righteousness provides comfort and motivation to pursue a life of holiness and devotion to God.

Preparation for Passover. Disciples Contend for Precedence.
... eight days. This appears from the writings of Josephus, who sometimes reckons
the feast as beginning on the fifteenth (Ant. iii.10.5 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxvii preparation for passover disciples.htm

Whether the Parts of Fortitude are Suitably Assigned?
... i) reckons seven parts of fortitude, namely "magnanimity, confidence, security,
magnificence, constancy, forbearance, stability." Andronicus also reckons seven ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the parts of fortitude.htm

Whether the virtues Annexed to Justice are Suitably Enumerated?
... Objection 1: It would seem that the virtues annexed to justice are unsuitably
enumerated Tully [*De Invent. ii, 53] reckons six, viz. ... i, 8) reckons seven, viz. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the virtues annexed to.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Suitably Distinguished ...
... viii in Exod.) who also distinguishes four precepts as referring to God, unites
these two under one precept; and reckons in the second place, "Thou shalt not ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the.htm

Hymns for the Feast of the Epiphany. Hymn i. To Thee be Praise ...
... Thus whoso reckons Him as of earth, the star of light"will convince him that He
is of Heaven: and whoso reckons Him as of spirit,"this John will convince ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns for the feast of.htm

But Now, with a Heart Cured of that Wound...
... some place with Thee. But whosoever reckons up his real merits to Thee,
what reckons he up to Thee but Thine own gifts? O that men ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xiii but now with.htm

Whether Mutual Indwelling is an Effect of Love?
... Whereas, in the love of friendship, the lover is in the beloved, inasmuch as he
reckons what is good or evil to his friend, as being so to himself; and his ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether mutual indwelling is an.htm

Whether Sins are Fittingly Divided into Sins of Thought, Word, and ...
... iv, 25) reckons four degrees of sin; the first of which is "a fault hidden in the
heart"; the second, "when it is done openly"; the third, "when it is formed ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sins are fittingly divided.htm

Whether Vainglory is a Capital vice?
... xxxi), reckons pride to be the queen of all the vices, and vainglory, which is the
immediate offspring of pride, he reckons to be a capital vice: and not ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether vainglory is a capital.htm

Whether Pain is a Passion of the Soul?
... Dei xiv, 8) reckons pain among the passions of the soul; quoting Virgil (Aeneid,
vi, 733): "hence wild desires and grovelling fears/And human laughter, human ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether pain is a passion.htm

Reckons (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Reckons (3 Occurrences). Matthew 25:19 And after a long
time the lord of those bondmen comes and reckons with them. (DBY). ...
/r/reckons.htm - 7k

Reclaim (1 Occurrence)

/r/reclaim.htm - 8k

Hebrews (24 Occurrences)
... A Council of Hippo in 393 reckons "thirteen epistles of the apostle Paul, and one
by the same to the Hebrews." A council of Carthage in 419 reckons "fourteen ...
/h/hebrews.htm - 70k

Urim (8 Occurrences)
... date for the obsolescence of the Urim and Thummim at 200 years before his time,
in the days of John Hyrcanus (Ant., III, viii, 9), the Talmud reckons the Urim ...
/u/urim.htm - 21k

Reckoning (32 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Reckon. 2. (n.) The act of one who reckons, counts, or computes; the
result of reckoning or counting; calculation. 3. (n.) An account of time. ...
/r/reckoning.htm - 16k

Reckonings (1 Occurrence)

/r/reckonings.htm - 6k

Declares (378 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 4:6 Even as David also declares the blessedness of the man to
whom God reckons righteousness without works: (DBY). Romans ...
/d/declares.htm - 35k

Bondmen (117 Occurrences)
... them his substance. (DBY). Matthew 25:19 And after a long time the lord of
those bondmen comes and reckons with them. (DBY). Mark 13 ...
/b/bondmen.htm - 35k

Cornelius (10 Occurrences)
... Thus he was probably an Italian of Roman blood. Julian the Apostate reckons him
as one of the few persons of distinction who became a Christian. ...
/c/cornelius.htm - 16k

Cities (427 Occurrences)
... Ptolemy (v.17, 5) reckons Zoar as belonging to Arabia Petrea. Eusebius (Onom.,
261) describes the Dead Sea as lying between Jericho and Zoar. ...
/c/cities.htm - 91k

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