Redemption through the Suffering of Servants in Scripture
Redemption in Scripture centers on the payment of a ransom to liberate those held captive. The Greek term apolutrosis appears nine times in the New Testament, always carrying the idea of a price paid—a lutron—to secure release [1]. This concept pervades both Testaments: the Old Testament uses lutron for transactions between humans (Leviticus 19:20, Exodus 21:30) and for Israel's relationship with God (Numbers 3:49, 18:15) [1]. The New Testament declares this redemption accomplished "through his blood" (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14) [3, 6], identifying Christ as the one who paid the ransom for humanity's liberation from sin, death, and the law's curse [4].
The Servant's Suffering as Redemptive Mechanism
Isaiah 53:7 portrays the Messiah as one who "was patient under" persecution, voluntarily submitting to suffering (Isaiah 50:6) [2]. This prophetic pattern finds fulfillment in Christ, who "redeems us from all evil by the payment of a ransom" [5]. The Hebrew goel—the kinsman-redeemer charged with restoring another's rights and avenging wrongs—becomes a title peculiarly applied to Christ [5]. Job 33:24 speaks of God delivering the sufferer, using language of ransom that points beyond any human mediator to "the eternal redemption found" in Christ's blood and intercession (Hebrews 9:12) [8]. The Holy Spirit embedded in this Old Testament passage words whose "full realization" appears only in Christ's atoning work [8].
Christ's innocent suffering establishes the pattern for his followers. First Peter 2:21-22 presents Christ's undeserved suffering as both example and proof that patient endurance under injustice is acceptable to God [7]. His dying "for us" represents the highest form of "doing well"—suffering innocently not for himself but for others [7]. Believers are "called" to this same path of unmerited suffering [7], a calling that extends even to those in servile positions, since Christ himself took "the form of a servant" [7].
Redemption's Scope and Application
This redemption liberates from multiple forms of bondage: the law's curse (Galatians 3:13), sin's power (Romans 6:18, 22), death's grip (Psalm 49:15), and "vain conversation" or empty ways of life (1 Peter 1:18) [4]. God's elect, "by nature in bondage to sin, Satan, and the law," are through Christ's grace "ransomed out of the hands of him that is stronger than they" [9]. The objects of this redeeming work are not the world at large but "Zion and her converts"—the church redeemed by Christ [10].
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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
- King James Version “[KJV] Ephesians 1:7 — In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
- 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: 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.)”
- King James Version “[KJV] Colossians 1:14 — In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 33:24: Apodosis to Job 33:23. he--God. Deliver--literally, "redeem"; in it and "ransom" there is reference to the consideration, on account of which God pardons and relieves the sufferers; here it is primarily the intercession of Elihu. But the language is too strong for its full meaning to be exhausted by this. The Holy Ghost has suggested language which receives its full realization only in the "eternal redemption found" by God in the price paid by Jesus Christ for it; that is, His blood and meritorious intercession (Heb 9:12). "Obtained," literally, "fou”
- 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”
- 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”