Redemption through Jesus' Life and Death in Christianity
Redemption through Jesus' Life and Death in Christianity
Redemption in Christianity is rooted in the biblical concept of "buying back" or liberating individuals from bondage to sin and its consequences. The Greek term "apolutrosis" is central to this concept, conveying the idea of a ransom or price paid for liberation [2].
The New Testament articulates redemption primarily through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to Romans 3:24, believers are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" [1]. This redemption is achieved through Christ's sacrifice, where he pays the ransom for humanity's sin. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, redemption is "by Christ" and "by the blood of Christ," emphasizing the crucial role of his death in this process [3].
The mechanism of redemption involves Christ's substitutionary role, where he takes upon himself the penalty for humanity's sin. John Gill, commenting on Colossians 1:14, explains that redemption in Christ involves a deliverance from sin and its power, achieved through his sacrifice [8]. This understanding is echoed in Adam Clarke's commentary on Romans 4:25, where he notes that Christ was "delivered up to death as a sacrifice for our sins" and raised again to secure our justification [10].
The significance of Christ's resurrection is also integral to the concept of redemption. As noted in Romans 5:10, believers are "saved through the life of his Son," indicating that Christ's resurrection is a vital component of the redemption process [9]. The resurrection demonstrates the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice and provides believers with a share in his new life.
Different Christian traditions interpret the specifics of redemption in varying ways, but all affirm its centrality to the Christian faith. For instance, one commentary tradition by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:24 highlights that justification is based on the "redemption that is in Christ Jesus," underscoring the connection between redemption and justification [6]. Similarly, John Gill's Baptist/Reformed perspective on Isaiah 1:27 emphasizes that redemption by Christ is the source of other blessings, such as justification and pardon [7].
The concept of redemption is closely tied to other theological themes, including salvation, atonement, and justification. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that salvation refers to the deliverance from sin and its consequences, achieved through Christ's work [4]. Atonement, as described in the same dictionary, involves reconciliation between God and humanity, brought about by Christ's death [5].
Sources
- Romans “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; -- Romans 3:24”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Salvation — This word is used of the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians (Ex. 14:13), and of deliverance generally from evil or danger. In the New Testament it is specially used with reference to the great deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ, "the great salvation" (Heb. 2:3). (See [546]REDEMPTION; [547]REGENERATION.)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:24: justified freely--without anything done on our part to deserve. by his grace--His free love. through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus--a most important clause; teaching us that though justification is quite gratuitous, it is not a mere fiat of the divine will, but based on a "Redemption," that is, "the payment of a Ransom," in Christ's death. That this is the sense of the word "redemption," when applied to Christ's death, will appear clear to any impartial student of the passages where it occurs.”
- 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”
- 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”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 5:10: 5:10 saved through the life of his Son: Believers already share in the new life that Christ provided through his resurrection (6:11). Through this vital connection with Christ, believers will also be spared from God’s wrath in the last day (see also Col 3:4).”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 4:25: Who was delivered for our offenses - Who was delivered up to death as a sacrifice for our sins; for in what other way, or for what other purpose could He, who is innocence itself, be delivered for our offenses? And was raised again for our justification - He was raised that we might have the fullest assurance that the death of Christ had accomplished the end for which it took place; viz. our reconciliation to God, and giving us a title to that eternal life, into which he has entered, and taken with him our human nature, as the first-fruits of the resurrection of man”