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Redemption and Liberation in Christ's Work

Redemption, in a biblical context, signifies the act of purchasing back something that was lost, typically through the payment of a ransom [2]. This concept is central to understanding the work of Christ, who is presented as the agent of this redemption [3]. The Greek term apolutrosis, frequently translated as "redemption," consistently carries the idea of a ransom or price paid (lutron) [2]. This is evident in passages such as Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45, where Christ states that he came "to give his life as a ransom for many" [2].

The Old Testament provides a foundation for this understanding, using lutron in contexts of human-to-human relations, such as redeeming property or persons (Leviticus 19:20; 25:51; Exodus 21:30), and also in relation to God, as seen in Numbers 3:49 and 18:15 [2]. These instances illustrate the underlying principle of a price being paid to secure release or ownership.

The New Testament expands on this, presenting Christ's work as the ultimate act of redemption. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 3:24 that believers are "justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ" [1]. This redemption is not merely a symbolic act but involves a real price: the blood of Christ [3]. Acts 20:28, Hebrews 9:12, and Revelation 5:9 all emphasize that redemption is achieved "by the blood of Christ" [3]. John Gill, in his commentary on Ephesians 1:7, explains that "redemption supposes captivity and slavery," and that God's elect are "in bondage to sin, Satan, and the law" [11]. Christ's work, through his blood, delivers them from this bondage [11].

This redemption encompasses several key aspects of liberation:

The work of redemption is initiated by God, who is described as the one who redeems (Isaiah 44:21-23; Luke 1:68) [3]. Christ was specifically sent to effect this redemption (Galatians 4:4-5), and he himself "is made, to us" redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30) [3]. Matthew Henry, in his introduction to Isaiah 43, connects the release of the Jews from captivity to the "great work of man's redemption by Jesus Christ," seeing the former as a foreshadowing of the latter [9].

The concept of redemption is not merely a historical event but a present reality for believers. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, commenting on Ephesians 1:7, state that "we have" redemption "as a present possession" [10]. This redemption is "from the power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin" [10]. They further explain that just as a kinsman might redeem a bond-servant (Leviticus 25:48), so the Son of God became the Son of Man to redeem humanity as their kinsman (Matthew 20:28) [10].

The nature of this redemption is entirely by grace, not by human works. John Gill, in his commentary on Titus 3:5, emphasizes that salvation, which includes redemption, is "not by works of righteousness which we have done" [12]. This underscores that redemption is a divine act, freely given, and received through faith.

The "excellency and glory of Christ" are intrinsically linked to his role as Redeemer [5]. He is glorified as God, the Son of God, one with the Father, the Creator, and the Mediator through whom this redemption is accomplished [5]. His intercession is also a crucial aspect of this redemptive work [7]. The language used in Job 33:24, "Deliver—literally, 'redeem'," is seen by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown as pointing to the "eternal redemption found" in the price paid by Jesus Christ, specifically "His blood and meritorious intercession" [7].

The objects of this redeeming grace are identified as "Zion and her converts," referring to the church, not the entire world [8]. John Gill clarifies that "by Zion is meant, not a place, but people" [8]. This redemption is described as being of a "spiritual nature," delivering the soul from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is characterized as "plenteous and eternal" [8].

The long-suffering of God is also connected to redemption, as it is exercised towards his people and even the wicked, with salvation as its ultimate object [4]. This divine patience should lead to repentance, and it is exhibited in the forgiving of sins through Christ's redemptive work [4].

Sources

  1. Romans “Romans 3:24 (Webster) — Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ:”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
  6. Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:14: In whom we have redemption,.... Which is an excellent and wonderful blessing of grace saints have in and by Christ; and lies in a deliverance from sin, all sin, original and actual, under which they are held captive, in a state of nature, and by which they are made subject to the punishment of death; but through the sacrifice of Christ it is taken, and put away, finished, and made an end of; and they are freed from the damning power of it, or any obligation to punishment for it; and in consequence of this are delivered from the enslaving governing power of it by h”
  7. Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 33:24: Apodosis to Job 33:23. he--God. Deliver--literally, "redeem"; in it and "ransom" there is reference to the consideration, on account of which God pardons and relieves the sufferers; here it is primarily the intercession of Elihu. But the language is too strong for its full meaning to be exhausted by this. The Holy Ghost has suggested language which receives its full realization only in the "eternal redemption found" by God in the price paid by Jesus Christ for it; that is, His blood and meritorious intercession (Heb 9:12). "Obtained," literally, "fou”
  8. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 1:27: Zion shall be redeemed with judgment,.... The blessing of redemption by Christ is the source and foundation of the other blessings of grace, before mentioned, the little remnant are favoured with, as justification, pardon of sin, and conversion, Isa 1:18, Isa 1:25 it is of a spiritual nature; the redemption of the soul is a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is plenteous and eternal; the objects of redeeming grace are "Zion" and her converts; not the world, but the church is redeemed by Christ; for by Zion is meant, not a place, but peopl”
  9. Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 43 (introduction): The contents of this chapter are much the same with those of the foregoing chapter, looking at the release of the Jews out of their captivity, but looking through that, and beyond that, to the great work of man's redemption by Jesus Christ, and the grace of the gospel, which through him believers partake of. Here are, I. Precious promises made to God's people in their affliction, of his presence with them, for their support under it, and their deliverance out of it (Isa 43:1-7). II. A challenge to idols to vie with the omniscience and omnipotence of G”
  10. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:7: In whom--"the Beloved" (Eph 1:6; Rom 3:24). we have--as a present possession. redemption--Greek, "our (literally, 'the') redemption"; THE redemption which is the grand subject of all revelation, and especially of the New Testament (Rom 3:24), namely, from the power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin (Mat 1:21). If a man were unable to redeem himself from being a bond-servant, his kinsman might redeem him (Lev 25:48). Hence, antitypically the Son of God became the Son of man, that as our kinsman He might redeem us (Mat 20:28). Another "redempti”
  11. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:7: In whom we have redemption through his blood,.... Redemption supposes captivity and slavery, and is a deliverance out of it; God's elect by nature are in bondage to sin, Satan, and the law; through the grace of Christ, they are redeemed from all iniquity; ransomed out of the hands of him that is stronger than they; and are freed from the law, its bondage, curse, and condemnation, and from every other enemy: and this benefit Christ is the author of; he was called to be the Redeemer of his people from all eternity; and he was sent in the fulness of time, to procure th”
  12. Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done,.... The great instance of the kindness and love of God our Saviour is salvation; which the apostle denies that it is brought about by any works, even the best works of men; for "works of righteousness" are works done according to a righteous law, and in obedience to it; and in a righteous manner, from right principles of grace, in faith, and with a view to the glory of God; or otherwise they are not righteous actions, or works of righteousness; wherefore not works before, but after conversion, are here meant; for works b”
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