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Redemption and Renewal through Spiritual Regeneration

Redemption, in a biblical context, refers to the act of purchasing back something that was lost, typically through the payment of a ransom [2]. The Greek term apolutrosis, used nine times in Scripture, consistently carries this meaning of a price paid for release [2]. This concept is seen in both human-to-human interactions in the Old Testament (e.g., Leviticus 19:20; Exodus 21:30) and in humanity's relationship with God (e.g., Numbers 3:49) [2]. In the New Testament, redemption is specifically linked to Christ, who is said to effect it through his blood [8]. For believers, Christ becomes their redemption [8], freeing them from the bondage and curse of the law, the power of sin, and ultimately, from all iniquity and evil [8]. One purpose of this redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed [10].

Spiritual regeneration, often described as a "new birth," is a fundamental aspect of this redemptive process [1]. The Greek word palingenesia, translated as regeneration, is used in Matthew 19:28 to refer to the "restitution of all things" and in Titus 3:5 to denote a change of heart [1]. This change is elsewhere described as passing from death to life (1 John 3:14), becoming a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), being born again (John 3:5), and a renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2) [1]. Titus 3:5 explicitly states that God saved believers "not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit" [3].

John Calvin notes that regeneration involves two parts: "the putting off of the old man, and the putting on of the new" [9]. He emphasizes that while what is inherited from Adam is old and tends towards ruin, what is received through Christ "remains for ever, and is not frail; but, on the contrary, tends towards immortality" [9]. Calvin also connects regeneration with the "newness of life," considering it a principal part of salvation alongside the remission of sins [11]. Matthew Henry similarly identifies regeneration and reconciliation as two necessary consequences of Christ's death for believers [15].

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this renewal. The "renewing by the Holy Spirit" mentioned in Titus 3:5 indicates that the Spirit is the author and sustainer of this work [3, 12]. The mind, being the "more noble part of man," is particularly in need of this renovation due to corruption by sin [12]. The Psalms also speak of God's Spirit renewing and recreating the human spirit, fostering inner qualities of constancy and perseverance [13].

Regeneration is distinct from, yet foundational to, sanctification. While regeneration is the initial implantation of new gracious principles in the soul, sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit that carries this work to perfection, extending to the whole person [7]. It involves more than mere moral reformation; it is the process of bringing the entire nature under the influence of these new principles [7].

The concept of renewal is also present in Old Testament passages. Jeremiah 31:25 speaks of God refreshing the weary soul and replenishing the weak [4]. Psalm 119:154 asks God to "Revive me according to your promise," and Psalm 51:12 prays for the restoration of the joy of salvation and a steadfast spirit [5, 6]. These passages highlight a desire for spiritual revitalization and restoration that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament understanding of regeneration.

The "power of his resurrection" is intrinsically linked to this spiritual renewal, assuring believers of their justification and raising them up spiritually with Christ [14]. This spiritual resurrection is a present reality for those who are regenerated, reflecting their identification with Christ's redemptive work [14].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Regeneration — Only found in Matt. 19:28 and Titus 3:5. This word literally means a "new birth." The Greek word so rendered (palingenesia) is used by classical writers with reference to the changes produced by the return of spring. In Matt. 19:28 the word is equivalent to the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). In Titus 3:5 it denotes that change of heart elsewhere spoken of as a passing from death to life (1 John 3:14); becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17); being born again (John 3:5); a renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2); a resurrection from the ”
  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. Titus “not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, -- Titus 3:5”
  4. Jeremiah “Jeremiah 31:25 (BSB) — for I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.””
  5. Psalms “Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise. -- Psalms 119:154”
  6. Psalms “Psalms 51:12 (Geneva1599) — Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation, and stablish me with thy free Spirit.”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
  8. 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”
  9. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 38.2: through Christ. And as what we have from Adam becomes old, 439 439 “ Deuient vieil et caduque ;” — “Becomes old and frail.” and tends towards ruin, so what we obtain through Christ remains for ever, and is not frail; but, on the contrary, tends towards immortality. This passage is worthy of notice, inasmuch as a definition of regeneration may be gathered from it. For it contains two parts — the putting off of the old man , and the putting on of the new , and of these Paul here makes mention. It is also to be notice”
  10. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:21: 43:21 One purpose of redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed (see 1 Pet 2:9).”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 28.3: become man, and be a partaker of our flesh, that he might be our brother: it was necessary that he should by dying become a sacrifice, that he might make his Father propitious to us. That he might present us holy. Here we have the second and principal part of our salvation — newness of life. For the entire blessing of redemption consists mainly in these two things, remission of sins, and spiritual regeneration. ( Jeremiah 31:33 .) What he has already spoken of was a great matter, that righteousness has been procure”
  12. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:22: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Or by the Spirit that is in your mind; that is, by the Holy Spirit; who is in the saints, and is the author of renovation in them; and who is the reviver and carrier on, and finisher of that work, and therefore that is called the renewing of the Holy Spirit, Tit 3:5 or rather the mind of man, which is a spirit, of a spiritual nature, immaterial and immortal, and is the seat of that renewing work of the Spirit of God; which shows, that the more noble part of man stands in need of renovation, being corrupted by sin: and this”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 51:10: 51:10-12 God’s Spirit renews and recreates the human spirit. 51:10 A loyal spirit yields the inner qualities of constancy and perseverance.”
  14. Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:10: That I may know him--experimentally. The aim of the "righteousness" just mentioned. This verse resumes, and more fully explains, "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ" (Phi 3:8). To know HIM is more than merely to know a doctrine about Him. Believers are brought not only to redemption, but to the Redeemer Himself. the power of his resurrection--assuring believers of their justification (Rom 4:25; Co1 15:17), and raising them up spiritually with Him, by virtue of their identification with Him in this, as in all the acts of His redeeming work”
  15. 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 5:16: In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, both of which are the consequences of Christ's dying for us; namely, regeneration and reconciliation. I. Regeneration, which consists of two things; namely, 1. Weanedness from the world: "Henceforth we know no man after the flesh, Co2 5:16. We do not own nor affect any person or thing in this world for carnal ends and outward advantage: we are enabled, by divine grace, not to mind nor regard this world, nor the things of this world, but to live above it. The”
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