Using Life Experiences to Illustrate Redemption in Teaching
Redemption, in a biblical context, signifies the act of purchasing back something that was lost through the payment of a ransom [1]. The Greek term apolytrosis, frequently translated as redemption, consistently carries the idea of a price paid (lutron) [1]. This concept appears in both the Old and New Testaments, referring to human-to-human transactions (e.g., Leviticus 19:20; Exodus 21:30) and the relationship between humanity and God (e.g., Numbers 3:49; 18:15) [1].
The Bible presents redemption as an act initiated by God [2]. Isaiah 44:21-23 and Luke 1:68 illustrate God's role in bringing about redemption [2]. This redemption is accomplished through Christ, specifically through his blood [2]. Matthew 20:28 and Galatians 3:13 highlight Christ's role, while Acts 20:28, Hebrews 9:12, and Revelation 5:9 emphasize the significance of his blood [2]. Christ is considered the means by which believers are redeemed, becoming "made unto us" redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30) [2].
The scope of redemption is broad, addressing various forms of bondage and evil. It delivers from the bondage and curse of the law (Galatians 4:5; 3:13), the power of sin (Romans 6:18, 22), and even the power of the grave (Psalm 49:15) [2]. Redemption also extends to freedom 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) [2].
The necessity of redemption arises from the universal human condition of sinfulness. All human beings are born with a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5) [3]. Sin is not merely an action but a state of being, leading to "all sorts of sinful acts" [4]. The first sin, as described in Genesis 3:13, involved disobedience and a preference for the creature over the Creator [6]. This initial act established a pattern, where committing sin aligns one with the devil [5]. Augustine, as cited in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, clarifies that while one can become a child of the devil through imitation, the devil does not "beget" in the same way God does [5].
Sin is characterized by rebellion and an arrogant attitude [7]. Paul's letter to the Romans emphasizes the universal nature of sin, stating that both Gentiles and Jews are "under sin’s power" and cannot earn favor with God through their own actions (Romans 1:18–3:20) [8]. God's anger is depicted not as an arbitrary emotional outburst, but as a necessary response to sin [8]. To deny one's sinfulness is to call God a liar (1 John 1:10) [9].
The purpose of redemption is multifaceted. One significant aspect is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed (Isaiah 43:21; 1 Peter 2:9) [11]. Through redemption, believers are claimed by Christ, and ultimately by God (1 Corinthians 3:23; 6:19-20; 7:23) [10]. The concept of redemption can also be understood in terms of exchange, as when one field is redeemed or exchanged for another [12].
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: 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”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
- 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).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Ruth 4:7: "Concerning redemption." If a person redeems or exchanges one field for another.”