Difference between revisions of "Redemption"

<p> In Bible days a slave could be set free from bondage by the payment of a price, often called the ransom. The whole affair was known as the redemption of the slave (Leviticus 25:47-48). (The words ‘redeem’ and ‘ransom’ are related to the same root in the original languages.) The Bible speaks of redemption both literally (concerning everyday affairs) and pictorially (concerning what God has done for his people) (Psalms 77:15; Titus 2:14). </p> <p> In the Old [[Testament]] </p> <p> Under [[Israelite]] law, both people and things could be redeemed. In family matters, all Israelites had to redeem their firstborn. Since God had preserved Israel’s firstborn during the [[Passover]] judgment, they rightly belonged to him. Therefore, the parents had to redeem their firstborn by a payment of money to the sanctuary (Exodus 13:2; Exodus 13:13; Numbers 18:15-16; see FIRSTBORN). In matters of property, if people became poor and sold land they had inherited from ancestors, either they or close relatives had to buy the land back (redeem it) as soon as possible (Leviticus 25:25; Ruth 4:3-6; see SABBATICAL YEAR). </p> <p> If Israelites vowed to give God their children, animals, houses or land, they could redeem those things, again by a payment of money to the sanctuary (Leviticus 27:1-25; see VOWS). If a farmer was under the death sentence because his ox had killed someone, his relatives could redeem him (since the death was accidental) by a payment of money to the dead person’s relatives (Exodus 21:28-30). In all these cases there was the idea of release by the payment of a price. </p> <p> Often God is said to have redeemed Israel; that is, to have delivered Israel from the power of its enemies (Jeremiah 31:11; Micah 4:10). The greatest of these acts of redemption was at the time of the exodus, when God delivered Israel from captivity in Egypt (Exodus 6:6; Exodus 15:13; Psalms 106:9-10; see EXODUS). Centuries later, after Israel (Judah) had been taken captive to Babylon, there was a ‘second exodus’, when God again redeemed his people from bondage (Isaiah 44:22-23; Isaiah 48:20). </p> <p> In these acts of redemption of Israel there is no suggestion that God paid anything to the enemy nations, as if he was under some obligation to them. Nevertheless, there is the suggestion that redemption cost God something; for he had to use his mighty power in acts of judgment to save his people (Exodus 32:11; Deuteronomy 4:37-38; Deuteronomy 9:26; Deuteronomy 9:29; Isaiah 45:13; Isaiah 52:3; Isaiah 63:9). </p> <p> In the New Testament </p> <p> Besides being an everyday practice, redemption was a fitting picture of God’s activity in saving sinners. Those who sin are slaves of sin and under the sentence of death, and have no way of releasing themselves from bondage (John 8:34; Romans 6:17; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:19; cf. Psalms 130:8). Jesus Christ came to give his life as a ransom for those under this sentence of death. His death brought forgiveness of sins and so released them from sin’s bondage (Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:24-25; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:6; Revelation 1:5). </p> <p> [[Sinners]] are therefore redeemed by the blood of Christ. The ransom price he paid for them was his life laid down in sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:9). They are freed from the power of sin in their lives now (Hebrews 2:14-15), and will experience the fulness of their redemption when their bodies also are freed from the power of sin at Christ’s return. That event will bring about not only the final redemption for humankind but also the release of the world of nature from sin’s corrupting power (Luke 21:28; Romans 8:21-23; Ephesians 4:30). </p> <p> Paul at times makes a slightly different use of the illustration of slavery and redemption to remind Christians of their present responsibilities. When people are redeemed from the bondage of sin and the curse of the law, they come into a new life of liberty as the sons of God. [[Sin]] no longer has power over them, and they must show this to be true by the way they live (Romans 8:2; Galatians 3:13-14; Galatians 4:4-7; cf. Titus 2:14). </p> <p> Yet, though free from sin, Christians are not free to do as they like. Because they have been bought with a price, they are now, in a sense, slaves of God. They must therefore be obedient to him, their new master (Romans 6:16-18; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:22-23; see SERVANT; SLAVE). </p>

<p> denotes our recovery from sin and death by the obedience and sacrifice of Christ, who, on this account, is called the Redeemer. "Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," Romans 3:24 . "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us," Galatians 3:13 . "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace," Ephesians 1:7 . "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot," </p> <p> 1 Peter 1:18-19 . "And ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 . </p> <p> By redemption, those who deny the atonement made by Christ wish to understand <em> deliverance </em> merely, regarding only the effect, and studiously putting out of sight the cause from which it flows. But the very terms used in the above cited passages, "to redeem," and "to be bought with a price," will each be found to refute this notion of a gratuitous deliverance, whether from sin or punishment, or both. Our English word, <em> to redeem, </em> literally means "to buy back;" and λυτροω , <em> to redeem, </em> and απολυτρωσις , <em> redemption, </em> are, both in Greek writers and in the New Testament, used for the act of setting free a captive, by paying λυτρον , <em> a ransom </em> or <em> redemption price. </em> But, as [[Grotius]] has fully shown, by reference to the use of the words both in sacred and profane writers, redemption signifies not merely "the liberation of captives," but deliverance from exile, death, and every other evil from which we may be freed; and λυτρον signifies every thing which satisfies another, so as to effect this deliverance. The nature of this redemption or purchased deliverance, (for it is not gratuitous liberation, as will presently appear,) is, therefore, to be ascertained by the circumstances of those who are the subjects of it. The subjects in the case before us are sinful men. They are under guilt, under "the curse of the law," the servants of sin, under the power and dominion of the devil, and "taken captive by him at his will," liable to the death of the body and to eternal punishment. To the whole of this case, the redemption, the purchased deliverance of man, as proclaimed in the Gospel, applies itself. Hence, in the above cited and other passages, it is said, "We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins," in opposition to guilt; redemption from "the curse of the law;" deliverance from sin, that "we should be set free from sin;" deliverance from the power of Satan; from death, by a resurrection; and from future "wrath," by the gift of eternal life. Throughout the whole of this glorious doctrine of our redemption from these tremendous evils there is, however, in the New Testament, a constant reference to the λυτρον , <em> the redemption price, </em> which λυτρον is as constantly declared to be the death of Christ, which he endured in our stead, "The Son of man came to give his life a <em> ransom </em> for many," Matthew 20:28 . "Who gave himself a <em> ransom </em> for all," 1 Timothy 2:6 . "In whom we have <em> redemption </em> through his blood," </p> <p> Ephesians 1:7 . "Ye were not <em> redeemed </em> with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ," 1 Peter 1:18-19 . That deliverance of man from sin, misery, and all other penal evils of his transgression, which constitutes our redemption by Christ, is not, therefore, a gratuitous deliverance, granted without a consideration, as an act of mere prerogative; the ransom, the redemption price, was exacted and paid; one thing was given for another, the precious blood of Christ for captive and condemned men. Of the same import are those passages which represent us as having been "bought," or "purchased" by Christ. St. Peter speaks of those "who denied the Lord τον αγορασαντα αυτους , that bought them;" and St. Paul, in the passage above cited, says, "Ye are bought with a price, ηγορασθητε ;" which price is expressly said by St. </p> <p> John to be the blood of Christ: "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God (ηγορασας , hast purchased us) by thy blood," Revelation 5:9 . </p>

<p> This term signifies 'being set free, brought back.' God having smitten the firstborn of the Egyptians, claimed all the firstborn of Israel, and received the [[Levites]] instead of them; but there not being an equivalent number of the Levites, the residue of the firstborn were redeemed by money: they were thus set free. Numbers 3:44-51 . So the land, or one who sold himself, could be redeemed. Leviticus 25:23,24,47,54 . The Israeliteswere redeemed out of Egypt by the mighty power of God. Exodus 15:13 . From thence the subject rises to the redemption of the soul or life, forfeited because of sin. Man cannot give to God a ransom for his brother: for the redemption of the soul is precious, or costly, and it (that is, redemption) ceaseth, or must be given up, for ever: that is, all thought of attempting to give a ransom must be relinquished — it is too costly. Psalm 49:7,8 . </p> <p> In the N.T. there are two words translated 'redemption,' embracing different thoughts. The one is λυτρόω, λύτρωσις, 'to loose, a loosing, a loosing away,' hence deliverance by a ransom paid, redeemed. </p> <p> The other word is ἐξαγοράζω, 'to buy as from the market.' Christ has redeemed believers from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:5 . Christians are exhorted to be "redeeming the time," that is, buying or securing the opportunity. Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5 . A kindred word, ἀγοράζω, is translated in the A.V. 'to buy,' except in Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3,4 , where it is rendered 'redeem,' but would be better 'buy.' The difference is important in such a passage as 2 Peter 2:1 , where it could not be said 'redeemed,' for those spoken of are such as deny Christ's rights of purchase, and bring on themselves swift destruction though they had been 'bought.' Christ 'bought' all, but only believers are 'redeemed.' Christians sometimes speak of 'universal redemption' without really meaning it, because they do not observe the difference between 'buying' and 'redeeming.' Ephesians 1:14 embraces both thoughts: "the redemption of the purchased possession." </p> <p> [[Redemption]] is sometimes used in the sense of the right or title to redeem (Psalm 130:7; Romans 3:24 ); and this right God has righteously secured to Himself in Christ, and in virtue of it He presents Himself to man as a Justifier. Hence redemption was secured for God before man entered into the virtue of it. But believers have it now by faith, in the sense of forgiveness of sins, in Christ, where it is placed for God. Ephesians 1:7 . And in result redemption will extend to the body. Romans 8:23; Ephesians 4:30 . In application, the term redemption covers the power in which it is made effectual, as well as the ground or condition on which it is founded; this was set forth in type in the case of Israel. </p>

<p> In theology, denotes our recovery from sin and death by the obedience and sacrifice of Christ, who, on this account, is called The Redeemer, Isaiah 59:20 . Job 19:25 . Our English word redemption says Dr. Gill, is from the Latin tongue, and signifies buying again; and several words in the Greek language of the New Testament, are used in the affair of our redemption, which signify the obtaining of something by paying a proper price for it: sometimes the simple verb, to buy, is used: so the redeemed are said to be bought unto God by the blood of Christ, and to be bought from the earth, and to be bought from among men, and to be bought with a price; that is, with the price of Christ's blood. 1 Corinthians 6:20 . Hence the church of God is said to be purchased with it, Acts 20:28 . Sometimes the compound word is used; which signifies to buy again, or out of the hands of another, as the redeemed are bought out of the hands of justice, as in Galatians 3:13 . and Galatians 4:5 . In other places, another word is used or others derived from it, which signifies the deliverance of a slave or captive from thraldom, by paying a ransom price for him: so the saints are said to be redeemed not with silver or gold, the usual price paid for a ransom, but with a far greater one, the blood and life of Christ, which he came into this world to give as a ransom price for many, and even himself, which is an answerable, adequate, and full price for them, 1 Peter 1:18 . The evils from which we are redeemed or delivered are the curse of the law, sin, Satan, the world, death, and hell. The moving cause of redemption is the love of God, John 3:16 . The procuring cause, Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:18-19 . The ends of redemption are, that the justice of God might be satisfied; his people reconciled, adopted, sanctified, and brought to glory. The properties of it are these: </p> <p> 1. It is agreeable to all the perfections of God. </p> <p> 2. What a creature never could obtain, and therefore entirely of free grace. </p> <p> 3. It is special and particular. </p> <p> 4. Full and complete. </p> <p> And, </p> <p> 5, lastly, It is eternal as to its blessings. </p> <p> See articles PROPITIATION, RECONCILIATION, SATISFACTION; and Edwards's History of Redemption; Cole on the [[Sovereignty]] of God; [[Lime]] Street Lect. lect. 5; Watts's [[Ruin]] and Recovery; Dr. Owen on the Death and [[Satisfaction]] of Christ; Gill's Body of Divinity. </p>

<i> Apolutrosis </i> Matthew 20:28Mark 10:45 <i> Lutron </i> Leviticus 19:2025:51Exodus 21:30Numbers 35:31,32Isaiah 45:13Proverbs 6:35Numbers 3:4918:15 <p> There are many passages in the New Testament which represent Christ's sufferings under the idea of a ransom or price, and the result thereby secured is a purchase or redemption (Compare Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; Galatians 3:13; 4:4,5; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:5,6; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18,19; Revelation 5:9 ). The idea running through all these texts, however various their reference, is that of payment made for our redemption. The debt against us is not viewed as simply cancelled, but is fully paid. Christ's blood or life, which he surrendered for them, is the "ransom" by which the deliverance of his people from the servitude of sin and from its penal consequences is secured. It is the plain doctrine of [[Scripture]] that "Christ saves us neither by the mere exercise of power, nor by his doctrine, nor by his example, nor by the moral influence which he exerted, nor by any subjective influence on his people, whether natural or mystical, but as a satisfaction to divine justice, as an expiation for sin, and as a ransom from the curse and authority of the law, thus reconciling us to God by making it consistent with his perfection to exercise mercy toward sinners" (Hodge's Systematic Theology). </p>

<p> REDEMP'TION, n. L. redemptio. See Redeem. </p> 1. Repurchase of captured goods or prisoners the act of procuring the deliverance of persons or things from the possession and power of captors by the payment of an equivalent ransom release as the redemption of prisoners taken in war the redemption of a ship and cargo. 2. [[Deliverance]] from bondage, distress, or from liability to any evil or forfeiture, either by money, labor or other means. 3. Repurchase, as of lands alienated. Leviticus 25 . Jeremiah 32 . 4. The liberation of an estate from a mortgage or the purchase of the right to re-enter upon it by paying the principal sum for which it was mortgaged with interest and cost also, the right of redeeming and re-entering. 5. Repurchase of notes, bills or other evidence of debt by paying their value in specie to their holders. 6. In theology, the purchase of God's favor by the death and sufferings of Christ the ransom or deliverance of sinners from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God's violated law by the atonement of Christ. <p> In whom we have redemption through his blood. Ephesians 1 . </p> <p> Colossians 1 . </p>

<p> in theology, denotes our recovery from sin and death by the obedience and sacrifice of Christ, who on this account is called the "Redeemer" (Isaiah 59:20; Job 19:25). "Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). "‘ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13). "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7). "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with.the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19). "And ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). </p> <p> By redemption those who deny the atonement made by Christ wish to understand deliverance merely, regarding only the effect, and studiously putting out of sight the cause from which it flows. But the very terms used in the above-cited passages, "to redeem" and "to be bought with a price," will each be found to refute this notion of a gratuitous deliverance, whether from sin or punishment, or both. "Our English word redemption," says Dr. Gill, "is from the Latin, and signifies buying again; and several words in the Greek language of the New Test. are used in the affair of our redemption which signify the obtaining of something by paying a proper price for it; sometimes the simple verb ἀγοράζω , to buy, is used; so the redeemed are said to be bought unto God by the blood of Christ, and to be bought from the earth, and to be bought from among men, and to be bought with a price — that is, with the price of Christ's blood (1 Corinthians 6:20); hence the Church of God is said to be purchased with it (Acts 20:28). Sometimes the compound word ἐξαγοράζω is used, which signifies to buy again, or out of the hands of another, as the redeemed are bought out of the hands of justice, as in Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:5. To redeem literally means ‘ to buy back;' and λυτρόω, to redeem, and ἀπολύτρωσις , redemption, are, both in Greek writers and in the New Test., used for the act of setting free a captive by paying λύτρον, a ransom) or redemtion price." Yet, as Grotius has fully shown by reference to the use of the words both in sacred and profane writers, redempn tion signifies not merely "the liberation of captives," but deliverance from exile, death, and every other evil fromi which we may be freed; and λύτρον signifies everything which satisfies another so as to effect this deliverance. The nature of this redemption or purchased deliverance (for it is not gratuitous liberation, as will presently appear) is therefore to be ascertained by the circumstances of those who are the subjects of it. The subjects in the case before us are sinful men; they are under guilt, under "the curse of the law," the servants of sin, under the power and dominion of the devil, and "taken captive by him at his will," liable to the death of the body and to eternal punishment. To the whole of this case the redemption-the purchased deliverance of man as proclaimed in the [[Gospel]] — applies itself. Hence in the above-cited and other passages it is said, "We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins," in opposition to guilt; redemption from "the curse of the law;" deliverance from sin, that "we should be set free from sin;" deliverance from the power of Satan; from death, by a resurrection; and from future "wrath" bv the gift of eternal life. Throughout the whole of this glorious doctrine of our redemption from these tremendous evils there is, however, in the New Test., a constant reference to the λύτρον, the redemption price, which λύτρον is as constantly 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" (Matthew 20:28). "Who gave himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:6). "In whom we have redemption through his blood" (Ephesians 1:7). "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19). That deliverance of man from sin, misery, and all other penal evils of his transgression, which constitutes our redemption by Christ, is not, therefore, a gratuitous deliverance, granted without a consideration, as an act of mere prerogative; the ransom — the redemption price — was exacted and paid; one thing was given for another — the precious blood of Christ for captive and condemned men. Of the same import are those passages which represent us as having been "bought" or "purchased" by Christ. Peter speaks of those "who denied the Lord τὸν ἀγοράσαντα αὐτούς, that bought them;" and Paul, in the passage above cited, says, "Ye are bought with a price" (ἠγοράσθητε ), which price is expressly said by John to be the blood of Christ: "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God (ἡγόρασας, hast purchased us) by thy blood' (Revelation 5:9). The ends of redemption are, that the justice of God might be satisfied; his people reconciled, adopted, sanctified, and brought to glory. The properties of it are these: </p> <p> (1) it is agreeable to all the perfections of God; </p> <p> (2) what a creature never could merit, and therefore entirely of free grace; </p> <p> (3) it is special and particular; </p> <p> (4) full and complete; </p> <p> (5) it is eternal as to its blessings. See Edwards, Hist. of Redemption; Cole, On the Sovereignty of God; Lime-street Lect. lect. 5; Watts, Ruin and Recovery; Owen, On the Death and Satisfaction of Christ; Gill, Body of Divinity; Pressensd, Religion; Goodwin, Works; Knapp, Theology, p. 331; Bullet. Theol. Avril, 1868; Calvin, Institutes; Evangel. Quar. Rev. April, 1870, p. 290; Presbyt. Confess.; Werner, Gesch. der deutschen Theol.; Meth. Quar. Rev. Oct. 1868; July, 1874, p. 500; Jan. 1876, art. ii; Presbyt. Quar. Rev. July, 1875, art. ii; Fletcher, Works; New-Englander, July, 1870, p. 531; Barnes [Albert], The [[Atonement]] in its Relations to Law and [[Moral]] [[Government]] (Phila. 1858, 12mo); [[Princeton]] Rev. July, 1859; Oct. 1859; Bibl. Sacra, Jan. 1858; Delitzsch, Bibl. Psychol. p. 482; Muller, On Sin; Pearson, On the Creed; Liddon, [[Divinity]] of Christ; Pin, Jesus-Christ dans le [[Plan]] Divin lde la Redemtption (1873). (See [[Propitiation]]); (See [[Reconciliation]]); (See [[Satisfaction]]) </p> <p> . </p>