What is redemption?
Ephesians 1:7
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
New International Version (NIV)
The answer
Redemption is being bought back at a price — and in Scripture, it is God buying sinners out of their slavery to sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. The Greek word in Ephesians 1:7 (apolutrōsis) means a ransom paid in full: a captive released because someone else covered the cost.
The picture behind the word
In the Old Testament, a redeemer paid to recover what was lost — a relative's sold land or freedom (Leviticus 25:25-34), or the firstborn who belonged to God (Numbers 3:46-51). The idea is always the same: something is held, a price is paid, and it is set free.
What God redeemed us from, and at what cost
- The price is Christ's blood, not money. "In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7). Peter makes the contrast explicit: we were redeemed "not with corruptible things like silver or gold… but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus said He came "to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
- The release is forgiveness and freedom from sin. Redemption and "the forgiveness of sins" are named together (Colossians 1:14). Christ "bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24) — freed not only from sin's guilt but from its rule.
- The ground is sheer grace. We are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). Nothing in us earned it; God acted "while we were yet sinners" (Romans 5:8).
- The result is reconciliation with God. Through Christ's death, enemies are made friends: "being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him… we have now received the reconciliation" (Romans 5:9-11).
Redemption is not finished yet
Believers already have redemption (Ephesians 1:7), but its fullness is still coming: we "groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23). The price is paid in full now; the final freedom — resurrection bodies, no more sin or death — is still ahead.
In short: redemption is Christ paying with His own blood to buy sinners out of bondage, forgiving them, reconciling them to God, and one day setting even their bodies free.
Answered from Scripture · reviewed November 11, 2026
Redemption is the deliverance of sinners from the bondage and guilt of sin through the payment of a ransom in full. Scripture reveals that God did not merely excuse human guilt, but purchased our freedom through the precious blood of His own Son, Jesus Christ.
The Old Covenant Shadow
God Established The Principle Of Ransom In Israel
“ ‘If one of your fellow Israelites becomes poor and sells some of their property, their nearest relative is to come and redeem what they have sold.
Leviticus 25:25 (NIV)
This law establishes the role of the kinsman-redeemer who steps in to purchase back lost property and restore impoverished brethren.
Under the Mosaic law, Leviticus 25:25 establishes the legal principle of the kinsman-redeemer: if a brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, his nearest relative must come and redeem what his brother has sold. This legal ordinance governed civic life in Israel while casting an enduring shadow forward to the coming work of Jesus Christ, who took on human flesh to redeem His brethren (fulfilled in Galatians 4:4-5). Divine redemption begins not with cold commerce but with covenant mercy, demonstrated when God delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery with an outstretched arm (Exodus 6:6; Exodus 15:13; Deuteronomy 7:8). At the first Passover, the blood of an unblemished lamb marked the doorposts to deliver the firstborn from wrath (Exodus 12:13), pointing directly to Christ our true Passover (fulfilled in 1 Corinthians 5:7).
Scripture insists that redemption requires a real price. In Israel, every census required a half-shekel ransom for human life (Exodus 30:12), and every firstborn son was consecrated or redeemed with silver (Exodus 13:13; Numbers 3:46-51), a payment Peter contrasts with the far greater ransom of Christ's blood (fulfilled in 1 Peter 1:18-19). Even an impoverished Israelite sold into bonded servitude possessed the right of redemption by near kin (Leviticus 25:47-49; fulfilled in Hebrews 2:14-15), as seen when Boaz stepped forward to redeem the inheritance of Elimelech and take Ruth as his wife (Ruth 4:9-10; fulfilled in Matthew 1:5). This divine framework reveals our profound spiritual bankruptcy: Psalms 49:7-8 warns that no mortal can ever pay God the ransom for his brother's soul, for the price of a life is too costly (fulfilled in Mark 10:45). Yet the prophets declare that God Himself provides what man cannot. The suffering Servant was pierced for our transgressions to purchase our peace (Isaiah 53:5). God promises that a Redeemer will come to Zion (Isaiah 59:20), ransoming His people from death, blotted transgressions, and the grave (Job 19:25; Psalms 107:2; Psalms 130:7-8; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 44:22; Jeremiah 31:11; Hosea 13:14).
| Passage | What it says | Fulfilled |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 12:13 | The blood of the slain lamb marks the houses of Israel, shielding their firstborn from divine judgment during the Exodus. | 1 Corinthians 5:7 |
| Exodus 30:12 | Every Israelite counted in the census must give a half-shekel ransom for his life to make atonement. | 1 Peter 1:18 |
| Leviticus 25:25 | A near relative is commanded to intervene and redeem real property that an impoverished kinsman had to sell. | Galatians 4:4-5 |
| Leviticus 25:47-49 | An impoverished Israelite who sells himself into servitude may be ransomed by a near kinsman at any time. | Hebrews 2:14-15 |
| Numbers 3:46-51 | The excess firstborn sons of Israel are redeemed with five silver shekels each, paid directly to Aaron and his sons. | 1 Peter 1:18-19 |
| Ruth 4:9-10 | Boaz acts as kinsman-redeemer by purchasing Elimelech's estate and taking Ruth as his wife to preserve the family line. | Matthew 1:5 |
| Job 19:25 | Job confesses his unwavering faith that his living Redeemer will at last stand upon the earth. | 1 Thessalonians 1:10 |
| Psalms 49:7-8 | No man can redeem the life of his brother, because the redemption of a human soul is too costly for earthly wealth. | Mark 10:45 |
| Isaiah 44:22 | The Lord commands Israel to return to Him because He has blotted out their transgressions and redeemed them. | Ephesians 1:7 |
| Exodus 6:6 | God promises to redeem Israel from Egyptian bondage with an outstretched arm and great judgments. | |
| Exodus 13:13 | Every firstborn of man must be redeemed, establishing substitutionary ransom as law in Israel. | |
| Exodus 15:13 | Moses praises God for leading forth in mercy the people whom He has redeemed. | |
| Leviticus 27:30-33 | The law outlines redemption principles regarding consecrated property, tithes, and land. | |
| Deuteronomy 7:8 | The Lord redeemed Israel from the house of slavery because of His covenant love. | |
| Psalms 107:2 | The redeemed of the Lord are called to speak out and proclaim their deliverance from the enemy. | |
| Psalms 130:7-8 | The Lord possesses plentiful redemption and will personally redeem Israel from all iniquities. | |
| Isaiah 43:1 | God tells Jacob not to fear because He has redeemed him and called him by name. | |
| Isaiah 53:5 | The Servant is pierced for our transgressions, bearing the chastisement that purchases our peace. | |
| Isaiah 59:20 | The Redeemer will come to Zion and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob. | |
| Jeremiah 31:11 | The Lord has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from hands too strong for him. | |
| Hosea 13:14 | God declares He will ransom His people from the power of Sheol and redeem them from death. |
The Ransom Paid
Jesus Christ Paid The Price Through His Blood
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
Paul explicitly connects our redemption and the forgiveness of sins directly to the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
The heartbeat of the gospel is proclaimed in Ephesians 1:7: in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. Divine redemption is never an abstract legal fiction or a mere moral example; it is an actual payment rendered to satisfy holy justice. Jesus made this clear during His earthly ministry, declaring that the Son of Man came not to be served, but to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). This redemptive purpose moved Zechariah to prophesy at Christ's birth that God had visited and redeemed His people (Luke 1:68), and led the prophetess Anna to speak of the infant Messiah to all who looked for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).
Because all humanity lay under the condemnation of God's holy law, Christ entered history to bear our curse. As Paul writes, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us upon the cross (Galatians 3:13), being born under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4-5). God justifies sinners freely by His grace through this finished work (Romans 3:24), proving His love by dying for the ungodly while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8-9). Jesus acts as the sole Mediator between God and men, giving Himself as a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5-6), purifying a people for His own possession (Titus 2:14).
The author of Hebrews explains that earthly tabernacles and animal sacrifices could never eradicate guilt, but Christ entered the heavenly holy places once for all by His own blood, securing an eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12, 15, 22). Through His voluntary death, the Savior destroyed the devil's power over death to free those bound in lifelong slavery (Hebrews 2:14-15). The church is nothing less than the flock of God obtained with His own blood (Acts 20:28). We were not bought with perishable silver or gold, but with the precious blood of a lamb without blemish (1 Peter 1:18-19). Bearing our sins in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24), His blood continually cleanses the believer from all sin (1 John 1:7), leaving us bought with an infinite price (1 Corinthians 7:23).
| Passage | What it says |
|---|---|
| Mark 10:45 | The Son of Man came not to be served, but to give His life as a ransom for many. |
| Romans 3:24 | Believers are justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. |
| Galatians 3:13 | Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us upon the tree. |
| Galatians 4:4-5 | God sent His Son born under the law to redeem those under the law and grant adoption as sons. |
| Ephesians 1:7 | In Christ we possess redemption through His blood, receiving the forgiveness of our trespasses according to God's rich grace. |
| Colossians 1:14 | In the beloved Son we have redemption, which is the forgiveness of our sins. |
| 1 Timothy 2:5-6 | Christ Jesus, the one mediator between God and men, gave Himself as a ransom for all. |
| Titus 2:14 | Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and purify a people for His own possession. |
| Hebrews 9:12 | Christ entered the holy places once for all by His own blood, securing an eternal redemption. |
| Hebrews 9:15 | Christ's death redeems believers from transgressions committed under the first covenant, ensuring an eternal inheritance. |
| Hebrews 9:22 | Under the law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. |
| 1 Peter 1:18-19 | Believers were ransomed from futile ways not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. |
| 1 Peter 2:24 | Christ bore our sins in His own body on the tree so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. |
| 1 John 1:7 | Walking in the light brings fellowship, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses believers from all sin. |
| Matthew 20:28 | The Son of Man came to give His life as a ransom for many. |
| Luke 1:68 | Zechariah praises God for visiting and accomplishing redemption for His covenant people. |
| Luke 2:38 | Anna gives thanks and speaks of the infant Jesus to all waiting for Jerusalem's redemption. |
| Acts 20:28 | The Holy Spirit oversees the church of God which He obtained with His own blood. |
| Romans 5:8-9 | Christ died for sinners, by whose blood believers are justified and saved from wrath. |
| 1 Corinthians 7:23 | Believers were bought with a price and must not become slaves of men. |
| Hebrews 2:14-15 | Through death Christ destroyed the devil's power, delivering those subject to lifelong slavery. |
The Final Consummation
Redemption Culminates In Bodily Resurrection And Eternal Praise
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:23 (NIV)
Paul describes the final phase of redemption as the bodily resurrection of believers, freeing creation from decay.
While our guilt has been fully canceled, the full harvest of our deliverance lies ahead, as Romans 8:23 declares: we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Redemption addresses the whole person, body and soul, as well as the broken theater of creation. Creation itself was subjected to futility through human sin and currently groans under the bondage to decay, waiting for the day when it will be delivered into the glorious freedom of the children of God (Romans 8:19-21). For the Christian, the indwelling Holy Spirit serves as the down payment and guarantee of this inheritance, having sealed us until the final day of redemption (Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 4:30).
This reality transforms how the believer lives today. Because we were bought with a price, our physical bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, designed to glorify God in holiness rather than be surrendered to sin (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Christ has been made our complete wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). When wars, upheavals, and final judgments shake the earth, the people of God do not despair; Jesus commanded His disciples to straighten up and raise their heads, because their full redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).
At the return of Christ, our lowly mortal bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious resurrected body, conquering disease, frailty, and death forever (Philippians 3:20-21). This breathtaking consummation culminates in the eternal praise of heaven. In the book of Revelation, the heavenly host falls before the Lamb, singing a new song: worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9). There, standing upon Mount Zion, the redeemed follow the Lamb wherever He goes, singing an unceasing anthem of praise to the God who bought them for His own (Revelation 14:3-4).
| Passage | What it says |
|---|---|
| Luke 21:28 | Jesus exhorts believers to straighten up and raise their heads when end-time signs occur, for redemption draws near. |
| Romans 8:23 | Believers groan inwardly while awaiting adoption as sons, which is the redemption of their mortal bodies. |
| 1 Corinthians 1:30 | God has made Christ Jesus to be wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption for all believers. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 | Believers were bought with a price, and are therefore commanded to glorify God in their bodies. |
| Ephesians 1:14 | The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire full possession of our redemption. |
| Ephesians 4:30 | Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God for the final day of redemption. |
| Revelation 5:9 | The heavenly hosts praise the Lamb whose blood ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, and nation. |
| Revelation 14:3-4 | The redeemed from the earth sing a new song before the throne, following the Lamb wherever He goes. |
| Romans 8:19-21 | Creation itself will be set free from bondage to corruption into the glory of God's children. |
| Philippians 3:20-21 | The Lord Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious resurrected body. |
Where in the Bible
| Book | Passages |
|---|---|
| Exodus | 5 · Exodus 12:13, Exodus 30:12, Exodus 6:6, Exodus 13:13, Exodus 15:13 |
| Leviticus | 3 · Leviticus 25:25, Leviticus 25:47-49, Leviticus 27:30-33 |
| Numbers | 1 · Numbers 3:46-51 |
| Deuteronomy | 1 · Deuteronomy 7:8 |
| Ruth | 1 · Ruth 4:9-10 |
| Job | 1 · Job 19:25 |
| Psalms | 3 · Psalms 49:7-8, Psalms 107:2, Psalms 130:7-8 |
| Isaiah | 4 · Isaiah 44:22, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 59:20 |
| Jeremiah | 1 · Jeremiah 31:11 |
| Hosea | 1 · Hosea 13:14 |
| Matthew | 1 · Matthew 20:28 |
| Mark | 1 · Mark 10:45 |
| Luke | 3 · Luke 1:68, Luke 2:38, Luke 21:28 |
| Acts | 1 · Acts 20:28 |
| Romans | 4 · Romans 3:24, Romans 5:8-9, Romans 8:23, Romans 8:19-21 |
| 1 Corinthians | 3 · 1 Corinthians 7:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 |
| Galatians | 2 · Galatians 3:13, Galatians 4:4-5 |
| Ephesians | 3 · Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 4:30 |
| Philippians | 1 · Philippians 3:20-21 |
| Colossians | 1 · Colossians 1:14 |
| 1 Timothy | 1 · 1 Timothy 2:5-6 |
| Titus | 1 · Titus 2:14 |
| Hebrews | 4 · Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 2:14-15 |
| 1 Peter | 2 · 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Peter 2:24 |
| 1 John | 1 · 1 John 1:7 |
| Revelation | 2 · Revelation 5:9, Revelation 14:3-4 |
The story in order
- God promises redemption from Egypt (c. 1446 BC) · Exodus 6:6 · God's promise to redeem Israel from bondage.
- Ransom for the firstborn (c. 1446 BC) · Exodus 13:13 · Establishing substitutionary ransom as law.
- Kinsman-redeemer in action (c. 1100 BC) · Ruth 4:9-10 · Boaz redeems property and takes Ruth.
- Job's faith in a Redeemer (c. 1100 BC) · Job 19:25 · Confession of faith in a living Redeemer.
- Prophecy of the Redeemer's coming (c. 700 BC) · Isaiah 59:20 · The Redeemer will come to Zion.
- Jesus's ransom for many (c. AD 30) · Mark 10:45 · Jesus gives His life as a ransom.
- Redemption through Christ's blood (c. AD 60) · Ephesians 1:7 · Forgiveness of sins through redemption.
- Christ redeems from the law's curse (c. AD 55) · Galatians 3:13 · Christ became a curse for us.
- Eternal redemption secured (c. AD 65) · Hebrews 9:12 · Christ entered the holy places by His own blood.
- Redemption from futile ways (c. AD 60) · 1 Peter 1:18-19 · Ransomed not with silver or gold.
- Redemption draws near (c. AD 30) · Luke 21:28 · Exhortation to look for redemption.
- Adoption and redemption of bodies (c. AD 57) · Romans 8:23 · Awaiting the redemption of our bodies.
- Redemption in Christ (c. AD 55) · 1 Corinthians 1:30 · Christ is our redemption.
- Heavenly hosts praise the Lamb (c. AD 95) · Revelation 5:9 · Ransomed people from every nation.
The Kinsman-Redeemer
| Old Testament Shadow | New Testament Fulfillment | Passage |
|---|---|---|
| Boaz redeems Ruth and property | Ruth 4:9-10 | Ruth 4:9-10 |
| God redeems Israel from Egypt | Exodus 6:6 | Exodus 6:6 |
| Job's faith in a living Redeemer | Job 19:25 | Job 19:25 |
| Christ redeems us from the curse | Galatians 3:13 | Galatians 3:13 |
| Christ obtained the church with His blood | Acts 20:28 | Acts 20:28 |
The Price of Redemption
| Old Testament Principle | New Testament Reality | Passage |
|---|---|---|
| Half-shekel ransom for atonement | Exodus 30:12 | Exodus 30:12 |
| Firstborn redeemed with silver | Numbers 3:46-51 | Numbers 3:46-51 |
| No earthly wealth can redeem | Psalms 49:7-8 | Psalms 49:7-8 |
| Redeemed not with silver or gold | 1 Peter 1:18-19 | 1 Peter 1:18-19 |
| Christ's life as a ransom | Mark 10:45 | Mark 10:45 |
| Redemption through His blood | Ephesians 1:7 | Ephesians 1:7 |
Redemption's Scope
| Redemption From | Redemption To | Passage |
|---|---|---|
| Sin and transgression | Isaiah 44:22 | Isaiah 44:22 |
| Egyptian bondage | Exodus 6:6 | Exodus 6:6 |
| The curse of the law | Galatians 3:13 | Galatians 3:13 |
| Lawlessness | Titus 2:14 | Titus 2:14 |
| Futile ways of life | 1 Peter 1:18-19 | 1 Peter 1:18-19 |
| Bondage to corruption | Romans 8:19-21 | Romans 8:19-21 |
| Slavery to sin | 1 Peter 2:24 | 1 Peter 2:24 |
| All iniquities | Psalms 130:7-8 | Psalms 130:7-8 |
| God's people for His possession | Titus 2:14 | Titus 2:14 |
| Eternal inheritance | Hebrews 9:15 | Hebrews 9:15 |
Key words
- Redemption (Hebrew: ga'al (גָּאַל))
- Deliverance from sin and its consequences through a ransom paid. · Leviticus 25:25
- Ransom (Greek: lytron (λύτρον))
- The price paid to deliver someone from bondage or captivity. · Mark 10:45
- Atonement (Hebrew: kopher (כֹּפֶר))
- The act of making amends or paying the price for sin. · Exodus 30:12
- Kinsman-Redeemer (Hebrew: go'el (גֹּאֵל))
- A relative who has the right and duty to redeem property or a person. · Ruth 4:9-10
- Blood (Greek: haima (αἷμα))
- The sacrificial death of Christ that secures redemption and forgiveness. · Ephesians 1:7
- Justification (Greek: dikaiosune (δικαιοσύνη))
- Being declared righteous by God through faith in Christ's redemptive work. · Romans 3:24
- Adoption (Greek: huiothesia (υἱοθεσία))
- Being brought into God's family as His children, a result of redemption. · Romans 8:23
Because Christ has paid the price of redemption in full, believers walk in complete freedom and irrevocable forgiveness. We belong entirely to Him who bought us, looking forward with joyous confidence to the final redemption of our bodies at His return.
52 passages, each cited once.
Scripture cited
- Ephesians 1:7
- 1 Peter 2:24
- Romans 3:24
- Colossians 1:14
- 1 Peter 1:18-19
- Romans 5:8-11
- Romans 8:23
- Mark 10:45