Redemption through Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ
Redemption, in a biblical context, refers to the act of purchasing back something that was lost, typically through the payment of a ransom [2]. This concept is central to Christian theology, particularly in understanding salvation through Jesus Christ. The Greek term apolutrosis, used nine times in Scripture, consistently conveys the idea of a ransom or price paid [2]. Old Testament usage of lutron (ransom) appears in both human-to-human transactions (e.g., Leviticus 19:20; Exodus 21:30) and in humanity's relationship with God (e.g., Numbers 3:49; 18:15) [2].
The New Testament consistently presents redemption as being accomplished by God through Christ [3]. Paul writes in Romans 3:24 that believers are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" [1]. This redemption is specifically tied to the blood of Christ [3], as seen in passages like Acts 20:28, Hebrews 9:12, and 1 Peter 1:19 [3]. Christ was sent to effect this redemption (Galatians 4:4-5), and He Himself is considered the source of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption for believers (1 Corinthians 1:30) [3].
The scope of this redemption is broad, encompassing deliverance from various forms of bondage. It frees individuals from the bondage and curse of the law (Galatians 3:13, 4:5), the power of sin (Romans 6:18, 6:22), and even the power of the grave (Psalm 49:15) [3]. Furthermore, redemption extends to deliverance from all troubles (Psalm 25:22), all iniquity (Psalm 130:8; Titus 2:14), all evil (Genesis 48:16), the present evil world (Galatians 1:4), and vain conduct (1 Peter 1:18) [3].
A key aspect of redemption through Christ is the knowledge of Him. The apostle Paul expressed a profound desire "that I may know him" (Philippians 3:10) [5]. This is not merely an intellectual understanding of doctrines about Christ, but an experiential knowledge of the Redeemer Himself [5]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that while Paul already knew Christ, he desired a deeper, more complete understanding of His person, the riches of His grace, and the benefits of His salvation [7]. This knowledge is intertwined with "the power of his resurrection," which assures believers of their justification and spiritually raises them with Christ through their identification with His redemptive work [5].
The love of Christ is central to this knowledge and redemption. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, explains that knowing the love of Christ, which "passeth knowledge," is essential for understanding God's love [6]. God's love is demonstrated by giving Christ for redemption, and Christ's love is shown in giving His life for salvation [6]. The gift of Christ measures God's love, and Christ's death measures His love [6].
Redemption also provides access to God. This access is granted by God (Psalm 65:4), made possible through Christ (John 10:7, 14:6; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 7:9, 25), and facilitated by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18) [4]. It is obtained through faith (Acts 14:27; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 3:12) and follows reconciliation with God (Colossians 1:21-22) [4]. This access allows believers to approach God with confidence to obtain mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16) [4].
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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- 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”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 3:19: To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge - It is only by the love of Christ that we can know the love of God: the love of God to man induced him to give Christ for his redemption; Christ's love to man induced him to give his life's blood for his salvation. The gift of Christ to man is the measure of God's love; the death of Christ for man is the measure of Christ's love. God so loved the world, etc. Christ loved us, and gave himself for us. But how can the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, be known? Many have labored to reconcile this seeming co”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 3:10: That I may know him,.... The Ethiopic version reads "by faith"; and to the same sense the Syriac. The apostle did know Christ, and that years ago; he knew whom he had believed; he knew him for himself; he knew his personal interest in him; nor did he know any but him in the business of salvation: but his knowledge of Christ, though it was very great, it was, imperfect; he knew but in part, and therefore desired to know more of Christ, of the mystery and glories of his person, of the unsearchable riches of his grace, of his great salvation, and the benefits of it,”