Redemption of All Nations According to God's Purpose
The concept of the redemption of all nations according to God's purpose is rooted in biblical teachings and has been interpreted by various Christian traditions. The biblical anchor for this concept lies in passages that speak of God's plan to redeem not just Israel, but all nations.
The biblical narrative presents redemption as a central theme, with the idea that God is willing to give salvation to all people [2]. The Greek word for redemption, "apolutrosis," implies a ransom or price paid, highlighting the costly nature of this redemption [4]. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, redemption is defined as being of God, by Christ, and through the blood of Christ, emphasizing its divine origin and Christocentric nature [5].
In Luke 1:74, the purpose of redemption is stated as being "that we should serve him without fear," indicating a life of service to God characterized by holiness and righteousness [1, 6]. This service is not limited to Israel but is extended to all nations, as seen in the prophetic writings. For instance, Isaiah 45:22 states, "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!" underscoring God's desire for universal salvation [3].
The redemption of all nations is also tied to God's eternal purpose, as noted in Ephesians 3:11, which speaks of a divine plan that encompasses the salvation of people from all backgrounds [7]. This plan involves the redemption of people from sin, Satan, and the law, as highlighted in Psalm 130:8 and reiterated by John Gill in his commentary on Psalms [9].
Different Christian traditions have interpreted the scope and nature of this redemption. Some, like John Gill, emphasize that redemption is specifically for the elect, interpreting "all nations" as referring to the church composed of people from various nations [11]. Others, while affirming the particularity of redemption for believers, see the biblical narrative as pointing to a broader divine intention to bless all nations through the descendants of Abraham, as noted in Micah 7:16 and Genesis 12:3 [10].
The means of redemption is consistently attributed to Christ's sacrifice. Hebrews 2:10 explains that Christ's sufferings were necessary for him to be the "Captain of salvation," leading many sons and daughters to glory. Adam Clarke's commentary on this verse highlights the suitability of Christ's sacrifice for the salvation of humanity [8].
The redemption of all nations according to God's purpose is thus a complex and multifaceted concept. It is grounded in biblical teachings that emphasize God's desire for universal salvation, the Christocentric nature of redemption, and the divine plan that underlies human history. While different traditions may interpret the scope and application of this redemption differently, the core conviction is that God's redemptive work in Christ is central to his purpose for humanity.
The biblical emphasis on redemption being "of God" and "by Christ" underscores the theological conviction that salvation is a divine initiative [3, 5]. This conviction is echoed across various Christian traditions, which, despite their differences, affirm the centrality of Christ's redemptive work for the salvation of people from all nations. The ultimate expression of this redemption is seen in the worship of God by people from all nations, as envisioned in Psalm 86:9, where it is written that "all nations... shall come and worship before thee, O Lord" [12].
The historical development of this doctrine has been shaped by various factors, including the early Christian understanding of the gospel as a message for all nations and the theological reflections of the church fathers and reformers. The concept remains a cornerstone of Christian theology, emphasizing God's universal love and the inclusive nature of salvation in Christ.
Sources
- Luke “to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins, -- Luke 1:77”
- Titus “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, -- Titus 2:11”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Salvation — Is of God -- Ps 3:8; 37:39; Jer 3:23. Is of the purpose of God -- 2Ti 1:9. Is of the appointment of God -- 1Th 5:9. God is willing to give -- 1Ti 2:4. Is by Christ -- Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23. Is by Christ alone -- Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12. Announced after the fall -- Ge 3:15. Of Israel, predicted -- Isa 35:4; 45:17; Zec 9:16; Ro 11:26. Of the Gentiles, predicted -- Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10. Revealed in the gospel -- Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:10. Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews -- Ro 11:11. Christ The Captain of. -- Heb 2:10. The Author of. -- Heb 5:9”
- 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”
- 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 ”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:11: According to the eternal purpose,.... The whole of salvation, in which is displayed the great wisdom of God, is according to a purpose of his; the scheme of it is fixed in the council of peace; the thing itself is effected in pursuance of it; Christ, the Redeemer, was set forth in it; his incarnation, the time of his coming into the world, his sufferings and death, with all their circumstances, were decreed by God; and the persons for whom Christ became incarnate, suffered, and died, were appointed unto salvation by him; and the application of it to them is accordi”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:10: For it became him - It was suitable to the Divine wisdom, the requisitions of justice, and the economy of grace, to offer Jesus as a sacrifice, in order to bring many sons and daughters to glory. For whom - and by whom - God is the cause of all things, and he is the object or end of them. Perfect through sufferings - Without suffering he could not have died, and without dying he could not have made an atonement for sin. The sacrifice must be consummated, in order that he might be qualified to be the Captain or Author of the salvation of men, and lead all those who ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 130:7: And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. The Lord shall do it; in whom Israel is encouraged to hope; with whom grace and redemption were; or who was appointed to be the Redeemer. Redemption was then future, when these words were said, but certain, by the promise of God and agreement of Christ; and would be of the whole Israel, or elect of God; and that from "all" their iniquities, original and actual; sins, secret and open, of heart, lip, and life: and which is no small encouragement for Israel to hope in the Lord, for the sake of which this is added; as w”
- Micah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Micah 7:16: 7:16 The promise that all the nations would be blessed by the descendants of Abraham (Gen 12:3) would be fulfilled in this restoration of God’s special people.”
- 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”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 86:9: All nations whom thou hast made,.... All nations, or the inhabitants of all nations, are made by the Lord, and of the blood of one man, Act 17:26, and which as it shows the obligation of all men to come and worship, as is said should be; so likewise that the Lord, who has made them, is able to make them come to do homage to him, as follows: shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; "come", spiritually, by faith and repentance, to the Lord himself, being drawn by the power of his efficacious grace through the ministry of the word; and, locally, to the house and ord”