Redemption is being bought back. Christ paid the price of his blood to redeem his people from sin, death, and the curse of the law (Ephesians 1:7; Galatians 3:13). 'Ye are bought with a price' (1 Corinthians 6:20). The Christian's identity is redeemed — purchased, set free, and given new life through Christ's sacrifice.
Redemption is one of the great metaphors of salvation in Scripture. The Hebrew 'goel' (kinsman-redeemer) and Greek 'lytroumenos' (redeem, ransom) both involve paying a price to release. Several biblical truths. (1) Humans are in bondage. Romans 3:23 — all sinned. Romans 6:16 — sin enslaves. Galatians 3:10 — under the curse of the law. Hebrews 2:14-15 — slaves to fear of death. (2) The price was paid. Mark 10:45 — 'the Son of man came... to give his life a ransom [lytron] for many.' 1 Peter 1:18-19 — 'ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... But with the precious blood of Christ.' (3) The result is freedom. Galatians 5:1 — 'Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.' Romans 8:1 — 'no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.' (4) Redemption is comprehensive. Ephesians 1:7 — redemption through his blood, forgiveness of sins. Redemption includes: forgiveness, justification, adoption, sanctification, glorification. (5) The redeemer is the kinsman-redeemer. Christ became one with humanity (Hebrews 2:14) so he could legally redeem his kindred — Christians. (6) Redemption has a not-yet aspect. Romans 8:23 — believers groan 'waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.' Final redemption at the resurrection. (7) The cost reveals the value. 1 Corinthians 6:20 — 'ye are bought with a price.' The price was the blood of God's Son. The Christian's worth is set by what God paid for it. (8) Redemption produces gratitude and obedience. 1 Corinthians 6:20 — 'therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.' The redeemed life is the responsive life.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
“Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish.”
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.”
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people.”
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
“But ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
Live as the redeemed — bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). Glorify God with your body and spirit. Reject slavery to sin (Romans 6:18). Walk in the freedom Christ purchased (Galatians 5:1). Anticipate the final redemption (Romans 8:23). The blood of Christ is your title deed.
Redemption is being bought back. The Hebrew 'goel' (kinsman-redeemer) and Greek 'lytroumenos' (ransom-paying) both involve paying a price to release someone from bondage. In the NT, Christ pays the price of his blood (1 Peter 1:18-19) to redeem his people from sin (Ephesians 1:7), the law's curse (Galatians 3:13), and death. Redemption is comprehensive: forgiveness, freedom, adoption, eventual resurrection.
The blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19 — 'ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... But with the precious blood of Christ.' Ephesians 1:7 — 'we have redemption through his blood.' The cost reveals the value: God gave his Son. The Christian's worth is set by what God paid for it.
1 Corinthians 6:20 — Paul tells Christians they have been bought (redeemed) at a price. The implication: 'therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.' Christians do not belong to themselves; they belong to Christ. The body is to be used for God's glory; sexual immorality (the immediate context) violates this. The redeemed life is the responsive life.
At Christ's return. Romans 8:23 — believers 'groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.' Christians are already redeemed (Ephesians 1:7) and yet awaiting the consummate redemption — the resurrection of the body. The 'already' and 'not yet' tension is foundational to Christian eschatology.