Redemption (ABC-1907)

ἀπολύτρωσις (apolytrōsis). n. fem. redemption, release, deliverance. The act of freeing or the state of being freed from bondage, such as that of a prisoner or slave, by payment of a ransom.

Lexham Theological Wordbook λυτρόω

λυτρόω (lytroō). vb. to rescue, ransom, set free, liberate from an oppressive condition. Set free by paying a ransom.

The Concept

The Old Testament concept of redemption was limited to physical forms of bondage.

bondage from enemy

slavery

The New Testament concept of redemption is a spiritual matter.

What Bondage

Redemption from the bondage of sin

Titus 2:11–14 NKJV

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

lawless deed = ANOMIA, lawlessness, sin

Redemption from the bondage of the Law

Galatians 3:13 NKJV

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),

the Law was a form of bondage because it demands that the person fulfill all that it required and condemns the person when he fails in just one.

the curse of the law is the punishment it renders to the sinner.

Redemption from the bondage of the old life

1 Peter 1:18–19 NKJV

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

the aimless conduct = the old life we received by natural birth

Redemption from the body of sin

the body of sin is the human body that was born in sin, and is therefore bent on an prone to committing sin.

It should be dead already,

Romans 6:6 NKJV

6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

by the crucifixion of Christ

“done away” = to be rendered inoperable, make inactive

it is called “body of death”

Romans 7:24–25 NKJV

24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

deliver = rescue

there is deliverance - through Jesus Christ!

Redemption is in the future

Romans 8:23 NKJV

23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Redemption requires payment or ransom

Lexham Theological Wordbook פִּדְיֹוֹן

פִּדְיֹוֹן (pidyôn). n. ransom, price of redemption. Redemption by paying a price.

Lexham Theological Wordbook λύτρον

λύτρον (lutron). n. neut. price of release, ransom. Price to purchase or ransom the freedom of someone, especially the ransom money for the manumission of slaves.

No amount of wealth can redeem a soul

Psalm 49:6–9 NKJV

6 Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, 7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him— 8 For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever— 9 That he should continue to live eternally, And not see the Pit.

Only the blood of Jesus was sufficient

Ephesians 1:7 NKJV

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

1 Peter 1:19 NKJV

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

it is without blemish - not contaminated by sin

Redemption indicates relationship and ownership

Lexham Theological Wordbook גְּאֻלָּה

גְּאֻלָּה (gĕʾullâ). n. fem. right and duty of repurchase. Refers to the redemption related to buying back property.

Under God’s Law, redemption was always performed by a relative or the owner.

Leviticus 25:48–49 NKJV

48 after he is sold he may be redeemed again. One of his brothers may redeem him; 49 or his uncle or his uncle’s son may redeem him; or anyone who is near of kin to him in his family may redeem him; or if he is able he may redeem himself.

Jeremiah 32:6–8 NKJV

6 And Jeremiah said, “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 7 ‘Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, “Buy my field which is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it.” ’ 8 Then Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said to me, ‘Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord.

Lexham Theological Wordbook גָּאַל

גָּאַל (gāʾal). vb. to redeem, to buy back. The core idea of this verb has to do with a kinsman’s redemption of his kin from difficulty.

GA-AL is the verb form of GO-EL = KINSMAN

gaal means to act as the kinsman redeemer, or to perform the duty of a kinsman.

Jesus Christ performed the duty of a Kinsman Redeemer, because He is both Divine and Human, God-Man.

He is the Son of God

He became flesh, one of us, human

Hebrews 2:10–12 NKJV

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”

Biblical Definition

Redemption is that act of God in which He redeems His own people from the power of sin and death by providing the blood of His Son Jesus Christ as the ransom price.

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