Redemption and Restoration in Suffering and Trials
Redemption, in its biblical sense, signifies the act of purchasing back something that was lost through the payment of a ransom [1]. The Greek term apolutrosis, appearing nine times in Scripture, consistently carries this meaning of a price paid for release [1]. This concept is evident in both the Old Testament, where lutron refers to man's relation to man and to God, and the New Testament, where it describes Christ's redemptive work [1].
The New Testament emphasizes that redemption is initiated by God and accomplished through Christ [2]. Specifically, it is through the blood of Christ that redemption is secured [2]. Passages such as Acts 20:28, Hebrews 9:12, and 1 Peter 1:19 highlight the sacrificial nature of this payment [2]. Christ's mission was to effect this redemption, as seen in Galatians 4:4-5, and He is considered our redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30) [2]. This redemption frees believers from various forms of bondage, including the law's curse (Galatians 3:13), the power of sin (Romans 6:18, 22), and all iniquity (Psalm 130:8; Titus 2:14) [2].
Suffering and trials, while often perceived as negative, are presented in Scripture as contexts within which redemption and restoration can occur. Christians are encouraged not to be surprised by trials, as hostility from a sinful world is an expected part of a godly life (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:17; Philippians 1:29) [7]. The Apostle Paul, for instance, recounted enduring persecutions in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, from which "The Lord delivered me out of them all" (2 Timothy 3:11). The Geneva Bible translation of Romans 12:12 encourages believers to be "pacient in tribulation, continuing in prayer" [6].
God's long-suffering is a key aspect of His character, as described in Exodus 34:6 and Numbers 14:18 [3]. This divine patience is intended to lead individuals to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) and is demonstrated in His forgiveness of sins (Romans 3:25) [3]. Even in the face of suffering, God's long-suffering is exercised towards His people (Isaiah 30:18) and even the wicked (Romans 9:22; 1 Peter 3:20) [3]. However, there are limits to this long-suffering, and those who abuse or despise it will face punishment (Ecclesiastes 8:11; Matthew 24:48-49; Romans 2:5) [3].
The concept of restoration is often linked with redemption, particularly in the context of suffering. The book of Job illustrates this, where Job's "captivity" was "turned" or he was "amply indemnified him for all he had lost" [10]. This restoration is seen as a proverbial expression for being restored or compensated, foreshadowing the future vindication of humanity against evil [10]. The prophet Isaiah also speaks of Jerusalem being "redeemed" and receiving a glorious recompense after suffering (Isaiah 40:2; 60:7; 61:7) [10]. One purpose of redemption is for the redeemed to honor God through praise (Isaiah 43:21; 1 Peter 2:9) [9].
The New Testament further elaborates on the transformative power of suffering. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, noted that repentance, a process often spurred by suffering, has the efficacy to procure pardon and avert judgment [8]. He also emphasized that reproach should be borne patiently, following Christ's example [8]. The ultimate hope for restoration lies in the resurrection of the dead, a doctrine present in the Old Testament (Job 19:26; Daniel 12:2) and a first principle of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:13-14) [5]. This resurrection will involve a transformed body, spiritual and adapted for a glorified state, yet retaining its identity (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) [4].
Sources
- 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”
- 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”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of the dead — Will be simultaneous both of the just and the unjust (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28, 29; Rom. 2:6-16; 2 Thess. 1:6-10). The qualities of the resurrection body will be different from those of the body laid in the grave (1 Cor. 15:53, 54; Phil. 3:21); but its identity will nevertheless be preserved. It will still be the same body (1 Cor. 15:42-44) which rises again. As to the nature of the resurrection body, (1) it will be spiritual (1 Cor. 15:44), i.e., a body adapted to the use of the soul in its glorified state, and to all the conditions of the hea”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection, The — A doctrine of the Old Testament -- Job 19:26; Ps 16:10; 49:15; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2; Ho 13:14. A first principle of the gospel -- 1Co 15:13,14; Heb 6:1,2. Expected by the Jews -- Joh 11:24; Heb 11:35. Denied by the Sadducees -- Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27; Ac 23:8. Explained away by false teachers -- 2Ti 2:18. Called in question by some in the church -- 1Co 15:12. Is not incredible -- Mr 12:24; Ac 26:8. Is not contrary to reason -- Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:35-49. Assumed and proved by our Lord -- Mt 22:29-32; Lu 14:14; Joh 5:28,29. Preached by the Apostles -- Ac 4:”
- Romans “Romans 12:12 (Geneva1599) — Reioycing in hope, pacient in tribulation, continuing in prayer,”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: to good men, no protection to the wicked, ib. ; earthly, useless without the spiritual, 89 . Repentance, its efficacy to procure pardon, 50 ; to avert judgment, 121 ; is the not doing the same again, ib. ; great difficulty of, 260 ; a source of hope, 295 . Repetitions, vain, consist in praying for vain things, 157 . Reproach, to be borne patiently, after the example of Christ, 312 ; injures only the author, ib. Reserve, in teaching doctrine, 13 , 93 ; of John Baptist, 105 ; and Paul, ib. Resurrection, the, implied in Christ, "The Life," 22 ; of Chri”
- 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).”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 42:10: turned . . . captivity--proverbial for restored, or amply indemnified him for all he had lost (Eze 16:53; Psa 14:7; Hos 6:11). Thus the future vindication of man, body and soul, against Satan (Job 1:9-12), at the resurrection (Job 19:25-27), has its earnest and adumbration in the temporal vindication of Job at last by Jehovah in person. twice--so to the afflicted literal and spiritual Jerusalem (Isa 40:2; Isa 60:7; Isa 61:7; Zac 9:12). As in Job's case, so in that of Jesus Christ, the glorious recompense follows the "intercession" for enemies (Isa 53:1”