Lexical Summary apolutrósis: Redemption Original Word: ἀπολύτρωσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deliverance, redemption. From a compound of apo and lutron; (the act) ransom in full, i.e. (figuratively) riddance, or (specially) Christian salvation -- deliverance, redemption. see GREEK apo see GREEK lutron HELPS Word-studies 629 apolýtrōsis(from 575 /apó, "from" and 3084 /lytróō, "redeem") – properly, redemption – literally, "buying back from, re-purchasing (winning back) what was previously forfeited (lost)." 629 /apolýtrōsis ("redemption, re-purchase") emphasizes the distance ("safety-margin") that results between the rescued person, and what previously enslaved them. For the believer, the prefix (575 /apó) looks back to God's effective work of grace, purchasing them from the debt of sin and bringing them to their new status (being in Christ). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apolutroó (to release on payment of ransom) Definition a release effected by payment of ransom NASB Translation redemption (9), release (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 629: ἀπολύτρωσιςἀπολύτρωσις, ἀπολυτρώσεως, ἡ (from ἀπολυτρόω signifying a. to redeem one by paying the price, cf. λύτρον: Plutarch, Pomp. 24; the Sept. Exodus 21:8; Zephaniah 3:1; b. to let one go free on receiving the price: Plato, legg. 11, p. 919a.; Polybius 22, 21, 8; (cf.) Diodorus 13, 24), "a releasing effected by payment of ransom; redemption, deliverance, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom"; 1. properly: πόλεων αἰχμαλώτων, Plutarch, Pomp. 24 (the only passage in secular writings where the word has as yet been noted; (add, Josephus, Antiquities 12, 2, 3; Diodorus fragment l. xxxvii. 5, 3, p. 149, 6 Dindorf; Philo, quod omn. prob. book § 17)). 2. everywhere in the N. T. metaphorically, viz. deliverance effected through the death of Christ from the retributive wrath of a holy God and the merited penalty of sin: Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14 (cf. ἐξαγοράζω, ἀγοράζω, λυτρόω, etc. (and Trench, § lxxvii.)); ἀπολύτρωσιν τῶν ... παραβάσεων deliverance from the penalty of transgressions, effected through their expiation, Hebrews 9:15 (cf. Delitzsch at the passage and Fritzsche on Romans, vol. ii., p. 178); ἡμέρα ἀπολυτρώσεως, the last day, when consummate liberation is experienced from the sin still lingering even in the regenerate, and from all the ills and troubles of this life, Ephesians 4:30; in the same sense the word is apparently to be taken in 1 Corinthians 1:30 (where Christ himself is said to be redemption, i. e. the author of redemption, the one without whom we could have none), and is to be taken in the phrase ἀπολύτρωσιν τῆς περιποιήσεως, Ephesians 1:14, the redemption which will come to his possession, or to the men who are God's own through Christ (cf. Meyer at the passage); τοῦ σώματος, deliverance of the body from frailty and mortality, Romans 8:23 (Winer's Grammar, 187 (176)); deliverance from the hatred and persecutions of enemies by the return of Christ from heaven, Luke 21:28, cf. Luke 18:7f; deliverance or release from torture, Hebrews 11:35. Strong 629 appears ten times, distributed across Pauline epistles (Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians), Hebrews, and Luke. The contexts cluster around three great horizons of salvation: (1) legal release from guilt, (2) present transformation into new covenant life, and (3) future liberation of the body and creation itself. Redemptive Accomplishment in Christ “Christ Jesus, whom God presented as an atoning sacrifice… so that He might be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:24-26). Redemption is anchored in the historical cross. The price is “His blood” (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14), making forgiveness objective, complete, and irrevocable. No secondary mediator, human merit, or ecclesiastical rite can supplement the ransom already paid. Past, Present, and Future Dimensions 1. Justification accomplished: Romans 3:24 locates redemption in the past, the decisive act by which the believer is declared righteous. Relation to the Holy Spirit Having believed, believers were “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Spirit functions both as down payment and guarantor, binding the believer to the coming inheritance and enabling present holiness (Ephesians 4:30). Old Testament Background and Typology Apolutrosis is rooted in Exodus deliverance, Jubilee release, and kinsman-redeemer motifs. The Passover lamb foreshadows the Lamb of God; the Year of Jubilee anticipates full liberation from debt and bondage; Boaz prefigures the familial Redeemer who restores inheritance rights. New Testament writers assume these patterns, presenting Jesus as the climactic fulfillment. Eschatological Hope Luke 21:28 places redemption on the cosmic stage: “When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Final redemption overlaps with the visible return of Christ, the vindication of the saints, and the renewal of all things (Acts 3:21). It brings rest to martyrs (Hebrews 11:35) and perfects the covenant community (Hebrews 9:15). Ethical and Ecclesial Implications Redemption establishes a purchased people under Christ’s lordship. Slavery to sin has ceased; service to righteousness has begun (Romans 6:18). The church therefore practices forgiveness, welcomes the repentant, and resists legalism that would re-enslave Christ’s freed ones. Possession of the Spirit’s seal motivates purity: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Pastoral Application 1. Assurance: The ransom cannot be unpaid; the believer’s standing before God is secure. Summary Strong 629 gathers the entire sweep of salvation—from the courtroom, through the marketplace of slavery, to the climactic deliverance at Christ’s return. It testifies that God’s redemptive plan is coherent, Christ-centered, Spirit-sealed, and certain to culminate in the restoration of both the believer and the universe to the glory of God. Englishman's Concordance Luke 21:28 N-NFSGRK: ἐγγίζει ἡ ἀπολύτρωσις ὑμῶν NAS: because your redemption is drawing near. KJV: for your redemption draweth nigh. INT: draws near the redemption of you Romans 3:24 N-GFS Romans 8:23 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 1:30 N-NFS Ephesians 1:7 N-AFS Ephesians 1:14 N-AFS Ephesians 4:30 N-GFS Colossians 1:14 N-AFS Hebrews 9:15 N-AFS Hebrews 11:35 N-AFS Strong's Greek 629 |
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