Redemption through the Knowledge of God in Scripture
Redemption through the Knowledge of God in Scripture
The concept of redemption is deeply intertwined with the knowledge of God in Scripture. The term "redemption" refers to the act of buying back or liberating something or someone from captivity or bondage, often through the payment of a ransom [1]. In the biblical context, redemption is closely tied to the idea of deliverance from sin and its consequences.
The biblical basis for redemption is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the concept of redemption is associated with the Hebrew term "go'el," which refers to a kinsman-redeemer who avenges or redeems a family member from harm or slavery [8]. The Lord is often described as the Redeemer of Israel, who delivers his people from bondage and oppression (Exod 6:6; Pss 19:14; 103:4; Prov 23:10-11; Isa 43:1; 54:5) [8].
In the New Testament, redemption is understood as a spiritual deliverance from the power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin, achieved through the sacrifice of Christ [7]. The apostle Paul writes that believers are justified "freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" [3]. This redemption is described as a present possession of believers, who have been redeemed "through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Eph 1:7) [7].
The knowledge of God is also a crucial aspect of redemption in Scripture. According to Luke 1:77, the purpose of Christ's mission is "to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins" [4]. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but involves a deep, personal understanding of God's character and redemption [5]. The apostle Paul prays that believers may "know him" (Phil 3:10) and experience "the power of his resurrection" [5].
The connection between redemption and the knowledge of God is further emphasized in the writings of various Christian traditions. According to John Gill, redemption by Christ is the source and foundation of other blessings of grace, including justification, pardon of sin, and conversion [6]. Adam Clarke notes that the love of Christ, which is central to redemption, is also the means by which we come to know the love of God [9].
The biblical concept of redemption is multifaceted, encompassing deliverance from various forms of bondage, including sin, the law, and the power of the grave [2]. The redemption achieved by Christ is described as "plenteous and eternal" [6], and its effects are far-reaching, transforming the lives of believers and enabling them to know God intimately.
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”
- Romans “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; -- Romans 3:24”
- King James Version “[KJV] Luke 1:77 — To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:10: That I may know him--experimentally. The aim of the "righteousness" just mentioned. This verse resumes, and more fully explains, "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ" (Phi 3:8). To know HIM is more than merely to know a doctrine about Him. Believers are brought not only to redemption, but to the Redeemer Himself. the power of his resurrection--assuring believers of their justification (Rom 4:25; Co1 15:17), and raising them up spiritually with Him, by virtue of their identification with Him in this, as in all the acts of His redeeming work”
- 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”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:7: In whom--"the Beloved" (Eph 1:6; Rom 3:24). we have--as a present possession. redemption--Greek, "our (literally, 'the') redemption"; THE redemption which is the grand subject of all revelation, and especially of the New Testament (Rom 3:24), namely, from the power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin (Mat 1:21). If a man were unable to redeem himself from being a bond-servant, his kinsman might redeem him (Lev 25:48). Hence, antitypically the Son of God became the Son of man, that as our kinsman He might redeem us (Mat 20:28). Another "redempti”
- Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 19:25: 19:25 Job’s faith in a Redeemer could find fulfillment only in Christ; the same was true of his request for an advocate (9:33) and a witness in heaven (16:19). The term “Redeemer” (Hebrew go’el) comes from both criminal and civil law. An individual could redeem or avenge wrongful bloodshed (Num 35:12-18) or redeem lost property, perhaps by buying back a slave or marrying the heir’s widow (Lev 25:25, 47-49; 27:11-13; Ruth 3:13). The Old Testament knew the Lord as redeemer (Exod 6:6; Pss 19:14; 103:4; Prov 23:10-11; Isa 43:1 [“ransomed”]; Isa 54:5); New Testament beli”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 3:19: To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge - It is only by the love of Christ that we can know the love of God: the love of God to man induced him to give Christ for his redemption; Christ's love to man induced him to give his life's blood for his salvation. The gift of Christ to man is the measure of God's love; the death of Christ for man is the measure of Christ's love. God so loved the world, etc. Christ loved us, and gave himself for us. But how can the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, be known? Many have labored to reconcile this seeming co”