The Good of Redemption in Jesus' Ministry and Teachings

The concept of redemption is central to the ministry and teachings of Jesus, signifying a deliverance from bondage through a payment or ransom ^[2]. This redemption is fundamentally an act of God ^[2], specifically accomplished through Christ ^[2]. It is often described as a "good tidings of great joy" (Luke 2:10-11) ^[1], forming the core of the Gospel message that Jesus preached (Matthew 4:23, Mark 1:14) ^[1].

Redemption, in the New Testament, is understood as a liberation achieved by the blood of Christ ^[2]. Passages such as Acts 20:28, Hebrews 9:12, 1 Peter 1:19, and Revelation 5:9 emphasize this sacrificial aspect ^[2]. Christ was sent specifically to effect this redemption (Galatians 4:4-5), and He Himself "is made, to us" redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30) ^[2]. This deliverance encompasses freedom from various forms of bondage: the law's demands and curse (Galatians 3:13, 4:5), the power of sin (Romans 6:18, 22), the power of the grave (Psalm 49:15), and all iniquity (Psalm 130:8, Titus 2:14) ^[2]. It also extends to freedom from all troubles (Psalm 25:22), all evil (Genesis 48:16), the present evil world (Galatians 1:4), and vain conversation (1 Peter 1:18) ^[2]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that redemption is a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is "plenteous and eternal" ^[10]. He further explains that this redemption is found "in and by Christ" and involves freedom from sin's damning power and enslaving governance ^[12].

Jesus' ministry was characterized by teaching and preaching "the Good News of the Kingdom" (Matthew 9:35) ^[7]. This "Good News" (Gospel) is described as the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18) and brings life and immortality to light (2 Timothy 1:10) ^[1]. It is a glorious and everlasting message (2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Peter 1:25) ^[1]. The Apostle Paul considered it his ministry to "fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24) ^[9]. The Gospel reveals the knowledge of God's glory (2 Corinthians 4:4, 6) and exhibits His grace (Acts 14:3, 20:32) ^[1].

The goodness and long-suffering of God are intrinsically linked to the concept of redemption. God's goodness is a fundamental aspect of His character (Psalm 25:8, Nahum 1:7, Matthew 19:17) ^[4]. It is described as great (Nehemiah 9:35), rich (Romans 2:4), abundant (Exodus 34:6), satisfying (Psalm 65:4), enduring (Psalm 23:6), and universal (Psalm 145:9) ^[4]. This goodness is manifested in doing good, supplying temporal needs, providing for the poor, and forgiving sins (Psalm 119:68, Acts 14:17, Psalm 68:10, 2 Chronicles 30:18) ^[4]. Crucially, God's goodness "leads to repentance" (Romans 2:4) ^[4]. Similarly, God's long-suffering is part of His character (Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18) and has salvation as its object (2 Peter 3:15) ^[5]. It should also lead to repentance (Romans 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9) and is an encouragement to repent (Joel 2:13) ^[5]. God's long-suffering is exhibited in forgiving sins (Romans 3:25) ^[5]. These attributes of God underscore the benevolent nature of the redemption offered through Christ.

The purpose of redemption is not merely freedom from something, but freedom for something. As Zacharias prophesied, redemption grants believers the ability to "serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life" (Luke 1:74-75) ^[13]. This service is described as "religious service distinctively" or "the priesthood of the New Testament" ^[13]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, views redemption as a "great work" that provides "abundant matter of thanksgiving" ^[14].

The concept of "good works" is also related to redemption, though distinct from it. While salvation is "by grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24) ^[8], good works are a necessary outcome of this salvation, not its cause ^[3]. The objection that salvation by grace negates the need for good works has been answered repeatedly; good works are not the means of salvation but are a consequence of it ^[3]. Christ Himself is an example of good works (John 10:32, Acts 10:38) ^[6]. These works are called "good fruits," "fruits meet for repentance," and "fruits of righteousness" (James 3:17, Matthew 3:8, Philippians 1:11) ^[6]. They are performed "by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11) and are wrought by God within believers (Isaiah 26:12, Philippians 2:13) ^[6]. Only those who abide in Christ can perform them (John 15:4-5) ^[6]. The Scriptures are designed to lead believers to good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:25) ^[6]. Justification, however, is unattainable by works (Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16) ^[6].

The "good word of God" is another aspect of redemption, referring to the Scriptures or, more specifically, the Gospel ^[11]. John Gill describes this as a "good word" because it originates from God, reveals good things, and makes known truths that are pleasant and profitable ^[11]. The proclamation of this Gospel, which includes the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, leads people to glorify God ^[15].

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
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: Works, Good — The old objection against the doctrine of salvation by grace, that it does away with the necessity of good works, and lowers the sense of their importance (Rom. 6), although it has been answered a thousand times, is still alleged by many. They say if men are not saved by works, then works are not necessary. If the most moral of men are saved in the same way as the very chief of sinners, then good works are of no moment. And more than this, if the grace of God is most clearly displayed in the salvation of the vilest of men, then the worse men are the bet”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Goodness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 25:8; Na 1:7; Mt 19:17. Declared to be Great. -- Ne 9:35; Zec 9:17. Rich. -- Ps 104:24; Ro 2:4. Abundant. -- Ex 34:6; Ps 33:5. Satisfying. -- Ps 65:4; Jer 31:12,14. Enduring. -- Ps 23:6; 52:1. Universal. -- Ps 145:9; Mt 5:45. Manifested To his Church. -- Ps 31:19; La 3:25. In doing good. -- Ps 119:68; 145:9. In supplying temporal wants. -- Ac 14:17. In providing for the poor. -- Ps 68:10. In forgiving sins. -- 2Ch 30:18; Ps 86:5. Leads to repentance. -- Ro 2:4. Recognise, in his dealings. -- Ezr 8:18; Ne 2:18. Pra”
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”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
Matthew “Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. -- Matthew 9:35”
Romans “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; -- Romans 3:24”
Acts “But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God. -- Acts 20:24”
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”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:4: And have tasted the good word of God,.... Not the Lord Jesus Christ, the essential Word of God, who seems to be intended before by the heavenly gift; but rather, either the Scriptures of truth in general, which are the word of God, endited by him, and contain his mind and will; which he makes use of for conviction, conversion, instruction, and comfort; and which are preserved by him: and these are a good word; they come from him who is good; they are a revelation of good things; they make known things true, pleasant, and profitable: or else the Gospel in particular, o”
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”
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 ”
Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 1:12: Here is a summary of the doctrine of the gospel concerning the great work of our redemption by Christ. It comes in here not as the matter of a sermon, but as the matter of a thanksgiving; for our salvation by Christ furnishes us with abundant matter of thanksgiving in every view of it: Giving thanks unto the Father, Col 1:12. He does not discourse of the work of redemption in the natural order of it; for then he would speak of the purchase of it first, and afterwards of the application of it. But here he inverts the order, because, in our sense and feeling of ”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”

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