What Is Redemption in the Bible?
Bought back at a price — the meaning of being redeemed by Christ.
Redemption means being bought back or set free at a price. The Bible says we are redeemed from sin not with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19), gaining forgiveness through him (Ephesians 1:7).
Bought back at a price
To redeem is to buy back — as a slave was purchased out of bondage. The Bible says we were enslaved to sin, and Christ redeemed us, paying the price with his own blood. Redemption is costly rescue.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.
The Redeemer
The Bible's story is one of redemption — from the Passover lamb to the cross. Christ is our Redeemer, and Scripture pictures the whole of history moving toward a full and final redemption of God's people and creation itself.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
I know that my redeemer liveth.
Quick answers
- What does 'redeemed' mean?
- It means bought back and set free at a price. In the Bible, believers are redeemed from slavery to sin by the death of Christ, who paid the price with his blood.
- What is the price of redemption?
- Not money, but the precious blood of Christ. Scripture says we were bought with a price — the life of God's own Son given for us.
- How is redemption different from forgiveness?
- They're closely linked: forgiveness cancels the debt of sin, while redemption emphasises being bought out of bondage and set free. Both flow from the cross.
