Redemption from Slavery to True Spiritual Freedom
Redemption, in a biblical context, signifies the act of purchasing back something that was lost, typically through the payment of a ransom [5]. This concept is deeply intertwined with the idea of freedom from various forms of bondage. The Greek term apolutrosis, used nine times in Scripture, consistently carries the meaning of a ransom or price paid for redemption [5].
The Old Testament frequently illustrates this concept. The psalmist prays, "Redeem me from the oppression of humankind, that I may heed your precepts" [2]. Another psalm expresses gratitude for liberation: "You have freed me from my chains" [4]. This liberation is often associated with a renewed spirit and the joy of salvation [3].
In the New Testament, redemption is primarily understood as deliverance from spiritual slavery through the work of Christ. John Gill, in his commentary on Ephesians, explains that redemption presupposes captivity to sin, Satan, and the law. Through Christ's grace, believers 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" [6]. This redemption is achieved "through his blood" [6, 9]. Similarly, the apostle Paul writes in Romans that creation itself "will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God" [1].
This spiritual freedom allows for a new kind of service. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Luke highlights that the purpose of redemption is "that we should serve Him" in "holiness and righteousness before Him" [7]. This service is characterized by freedom from enemies and fear [7]. Even those who are slaves externally can be "the Lord's freeman," freed from sin, the law, and other forms of bondage, making Christ's service "perfect freedom" [8]. This freedom is not merely an absence of constraint but an active, joyful service to God [7, 8]. The experience of redemption can also be described as a spiritual revival, akin to being brought back to life from a state of spiritual death [10].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 8:21 (NASB) — that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
- Psalms “Psalms 119:134 (LEB) — Redeem me from the oppression of humankind, that I may heed your precepts.”
- Psalms “Psalms 51:12 (BBE) — Give me back the joy of your salvation; let a free spirit be my support.”
- Psalms “Yahweh, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. You have freed me from my chains. -- Psalms 116:16”
- 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”
- 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”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 1:74: That he would grant us, &c.--How comprehensive is the view here given! (1) The purpose of all redemption--"that we should serve Him"--that is, "the Lord God of Israel" (Luk 1:68). The word signifies religious service distinctively--"the priesthood of the New Testament" [BENGEL]. (2) The nature of this service--"in holiness and righteousness before Him" (Luk 1:75) --or, as in His presence (compare Psa 56:13). (3) Its freedom--"being delivered out of the hand of our enemies." (4) Its fearlessness--"might serve Him without fear." (5) Its duration--"all the ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:22: the Lord's freeman-- (Plm 1:16) --rather, "freedman." Though a slave externally, spiritually made free by the Lord: from sin, Joh 8:36; from the law, Rom 8:2; from "circumcision," Co1 7:19; Gal 5:1. Christ's servant-- (Co1 9:21). Love makes Christ's service perfect freedom (Mat 11:29-30; Gal 5:13; Pe1 2:16).”
- 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”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 85:6: Wilt thou not revive us again,.... Their return from the Babylonish captivity was a reviving of them in their bondage, Ezr 9:8 and the conversion of them in the latter day will be a reviving them again, be as life from the dead; they are like the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision, or like the dead in the graves; and their being turned to the Lord will be a resurrection, or quickening of them, as every instance of conversion is; see Rom 11:15, men are dead in trespasses and sins, and they are quickened by the Spirit and grace of God, so that they revive, and live a life of”