What Is Redemption in the Bible — In Biblical Context
Redemption is God's act of buying back sinners from the bondage of sin through the precious blood of Christ.
Redemption is God's act of buying back sinners from the bondage of sin through the precious blood of Christ.
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." — Ephesians 1:7 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The word 'redemption' comes from the marketplace and the slave market. To redeem meant to pay the price required to set a slave free or to buy back something pledged. The Bible pictures every sinner as a slave to sin, unable to free himself. Jesus Christ, by His death on the cross, paid the ransom price in His own blood. 'In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace' (Ephesians 1:7). The redemption is complete — believers are no longer slaves but adopted sons and daughters. One day, believers will also experience the full redemption of their bodies at the resurrection.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Ephesians 1:7, sits inside Ephesians 1. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
Supporting Passages
"Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
"Waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."
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