Redemption in Conflict Resolution and Restoration in Relationships

Redemption, in a biblical context, refers to the act of purchasing back something that was lost through the payment of a ransom ^[1]. The Greek term apolutrosis, used nine times in Scripture, consistently carries the idea of a ransom or price paid, as seen in passages like Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 ^[1]. The Hebrew word goel also conveys the concept of a redeemer, one charged with restoring rights or avenging wrongs, a title specifically applied to Christ ^[6]. This concept extends to various aspects of life, including the redemption of land or individuals from slavery in the Old Testament ^{[8, 10]}.

In the New Testament, redemption is primarily understood as deliverance from sin and its consequences through the sacrifice of Christ ^[9]. Ephesians 1:7 states, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace" ^[7]. Similarly, Colossians 1:14 affirms, "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" ^[3]. This redemption is not merely a release from punishment but also from the power and bondage of sin ^[15]. It is a divine act, originating from God and accomplished by Christ, specifically through his blood ^[9]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Ephesians 1:7 highlights that this redemption is "the grand subject of all revelation" and involves deliverance from the "power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin" ^[13].

The concept of a redeemer in the Old Testament, particularly the goel, involved a kinsman who had the duty to restore the rights of another ^[6]. This could include marrying a brother's widow to produce an heir, redeeming land, or exacting vengeance ^[8]. Ruth 3:12 illustrates this, where Boaz acknowledges, "Now truly I am a redeemer, but there is also a redeemer of a closer relationship than me" ^[5]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Ruth 4:4 notes that the redemption of land often involved marriage with the widow of the former owner ^[17]. This familial role of the redeemer serves as an antitype for Christ, who, as the Son of Man, became our kinsman to redeem us ^[13].

Redemption is closely linked to reconciliation, which signifies a change from enmity to friendship ^[2]. In the Christian understanding, reconciliation is mutual, involving a change in both parties who were at enmity ^[2]. For believers, this means a change in their personal character, moving from being an enemy of God by wicked works to yielding full confidence and love to Him ^[2]. Paul beseeches the Corinthians to "be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20), urging them to lay aside their enmity ^[2]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:18 explains that God "reconciled us" by restoring humanity to His favor through satisfying the claims of justice ^[12]. This reconciliation does not imply a change in God's character but rather that Christ's mediation was a provision of God's love ^[12].

In the context of human relationships, the principles of redemption and reconciliation are reflected in forgiveness and restoration. Colossians 3:13 instructs believers to be "forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man hath a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye" ^[4]. This echoes the divine pattern of forgiveness experienced through Christ's redemption. The purpose of redemption, according to Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:21, is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed ^[11]. Repentance is presented as key to receiving salvation and, by extension, restoration in relationships ^[14]. The idea of God delighting in chastisement, as noted in Proverbs 3:12, can be understood as a means of reconciliation regarding an offense ^[16].

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”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
Colossians “Colossians 1:14 (BSB) — in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians “Colossians 3:13 (Webster) — Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man hath a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.”
Ruth “Ruth 3:12 (LEB) — Now truly I am a redeemer, but there is also a redeemer of a closer relationship than me.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redeemer — Heb. goel; i.e., one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs (Lev. 25:48, 49; Num. 5:8; Ruth 4:1; Job 19:25; Ps. 19:14; 78:35, etc.). This title is peculiarly applied to Christ. He redeems us from all evil by the payment of a ransom (q.v.). (See [524]REDEMPTION.)”
Ephesians “Ephesians 1:7 (DRC) — In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his, grace,”
STEPBible TBESG “[H1350a] H1350A = (H1350A) — : redeem 1) to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer 1a1a) by marrying brother's widow to beget a child for him, to redeem from slavery, to redeem land, to exact vengeance 1a2) to redeem (by payment) 1a3) to redeem (with God as subject) 1a3a) individuals from death 1a3b) Israel from Egyptian bondage 1a3c) Israel from exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to redeem oneself 1b2) to be redeemed”
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”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Ruth 4:7: "Concerning redemption." If a person redeems or exchanges one field for another.”
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).”
2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:18: all--Greek, "THE." things--all our privileges in this new creation (Co2 5:14-15). reconciled us--that is, restored us ("the world," Co2 5:19) to His favor by satisfying the claims of justice against us. Our position judicially considered in the eye of the law is altered, not as though the mediation of Christ had made a change in God's character, nor as if the love of God was produced by the mediation of Christ; nay, the mediation and sacrifice of Christ was the provision of God's love, not its moving cause (Rom 8:32). Christ's blood was the ”
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”
Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 3:40: 3:40-42 Repentance is the key to receiving salvation (Isa 1:27; Jer 3:22; Ezek 3:21).”
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”
Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 3:12: he delighteth--or receiveth as denoting reconciliation regarding the offense which produced chastisement.”
Ruth (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ruth 4:4: there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee--(See on Deu 25:5). The redemption of the land of course involved a marriage with Ruth, the widow of the former owner.”

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