Redemption
“Release effected by payment of ransom”
Summary
Redemption is the deliverance of sinners from the bondage and penalty of sin through the ransom paid by Christ's precious blood.
☩The Nature of Redemption
Redemption denotes recovery from sin and death by the obedience and sacrifice of Christ, who is called the 'Redeemer.' The term is not merely deliverance but a purchased deliverance—the very words 'to redeem' and 'to be bought with a price' indicate that a ransom was paid. The Greek words lytron (ransom) and apolytrosis (redemption) convey the idea of setting free a captive by paying a price.
☩The Price of Redemption
The ransom price is declared to be the death of Christ, which He endured in our stead. 'The Son of man came to give His life a ransom for many.' 'Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.' 'Thou wast slain, and hast purchased us by Thy blood.' One thing was given for another—the precious blood of Christ for captive and condemned humanity.
☩The Scope of Redemption
Redemption addresses the whole condition of sinful humanity: guilt, the curse of the law, bondage to sin, the power of the devil, liability to death, and eternal punishment. Christ has redeemed believers from the curse of the law, being made a curse for them. Redemption is sometimes used in the sense of the right or title to redeem, which God has righteously secured to Himself in Christ. In result, redemption will extend to the body at the resurrection.
Related Verses41 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Redemption," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Redemption," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Redemption," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.George Morrish, "Redemption," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).