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c) Eph 1:7–8: Paralleling Col 1:13–14, Paul elaborated upon our present benefits of salvation in God’s beloved one,[1] writing, “In whom we have redemption through his blood.”[2]
The word he used for “redemption” (apolutrōsis) rarely occurs in Greco-Roman literature, except in the New Testament.[3]
Elsewhere in this letter, Paul described our redemption as something which shall take place in the future (Eph 1:13–14; Eph 4:30). Here he emphasized that believers currently enjoy that benefit.[4]
Once again, we encounter the “now and not yet” aspect of the Christian life.[5]
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Scholars continue to debate various aspects of the five major theories of our redemption, which they call the atonement.[6]
Nevertheless, we can affirm some truths based upon Scripture.
Redeeming love and divine justice converged at the cross. No analogy can fully express what Jesus has accomplished through his crucifixion and resurrection. Therefore, we can best describe the atonement with several complementary metaphors.[7]
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The first of these refers to images of combat and commerce. By the power of Christ’s blood, he has ransomed us from the oppression and penalty of sin (Col 2:15; Mark 10:45; 1 Pet 1:18–19).
This idea has strong roots in the Old Testament (OT) concept of paying a ransom to deliver someone from slavery, captivity, or death (Exod 6:6; Isa 43:1–4; Job 5:20).[8]
A different metaphor utilizes the concept of Old Testament religious rituals. Here the emphasis falls upon Christ’s sacrifice as a just restitution to mitigate our violations against God’s holiness (1 John 2:2).
Scripture describes Jesus as our Passover lamb (Exod 12:3–13; 1 Cor 5:7), as a burnt offering (Eph 5:2), and as both our high priest and the sacrificial victim (Heb 7:27; Heb 8:3; Heb 9:11–14; Heb 10:12).
Thus, he absolved our sins with his blood (Heb 9:18–28; Heb 10:22). In addition, our legal status has changed. God now declares us righteous based upon Christ’s atoning sacrifice, a term called justification (Isa 53:11–12; Rom 4:25; Rom 5:19; 2 Cor 5:21).
Penal substitution comprises another aspect of our salvation. Before Christ came, God required the annual sacrifice of a scapegoat which imperfectly atoned for the sins of the people (Lev 16:20–22; 1 John 4:9–10).
In his love, mercy, and grace, the Father sent his only Son to die in our place (John 1:29; Gal 3:13). As a result, Jesus appeased the wrath which we deserved (Rom 1:18; Rom 2:5–6; 1 Thess 1:10).
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Reconciliation provides an additional metaphor. Due to Christ’s atoning work, he has restored our broken fellowship with God (Rom 5:8–11; Eph 2:13; Col 1:22–23; 1 Tim 2:5).
As the Holy Spirit works in our lives, we can also experience right relationships with one another (Matt 5:23–24; 1 Cor 12:13; Eph 2:14–22). Indeed, God is reconciling all creation to himself, a process which he shall complete on the day of Christ’s return (Col 1:19–22; Rom 8:16–23).
To summarize, Jesus came to earth to give himself as a ransom (Matt 20:28; 1 Cor 6:20). Consequently, he has liberated those enslaved to sin (John 8:34; Rom 6:11, 17–19, 22; Col 2:13–14).
Christ accomplished this by offering himself as a sacrificial substitute for us to appease God’s wrath (Isa 53:6; 1 Pet 2:24; Rom 3:24–26). Thus, he removed our guilt and defilement (Rom 5:18; Tit 2:14). In addition, he released us from sin’s power (Rom 6:6–7; Rom 8:2–3).
The Lord did all this “according to the riches of his grace which he abundantly lavished upon us.”
Paul emphasized the concept of God’s wealth in this letter (Eph 1:18; Eph 2:7; Eph 3:8, 16). That he applied the term to grace implies that we enjoy God’s favor in overflowing measure (Eph 2:4–5).[9]
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Years ago, my oldest daughter and I were standing in our front yard. A group of teens came by, introduced themselves as from a local church, and asked if they could speak with us. Curious about what my eight-year old would say, I asked them to direct their questions to her.
One of them said, “If God were to ask you, ‘Why should I let you into My Heaven?’ what would you say?”[10] She responded, “Jesus died for me.” Speechless, after about a minute, they wished us a good evening and headed next door. [11]
Due to the atonement, Christ confers an inexhaustible resource upon those belonging to him.[12] His sacrifice can cover the transgressions of the worst of sinners (Rom 5:20; 1 Tim 1:15).[13]
Image via Wikimedia Commons
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Read Eph 1:7–8. How do these metaphors explain different aspects of our redemption?
Combat –
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Commerce –
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OT Religious Rituals –
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Penal Substitution –
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Reconciliation –
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How do you experience redemption in your life?
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Go to The Summing up of All Things (Eph 1:9–11)
[Related posts include Blessings from the Father (Eph 1:3–4); Adopted as Sons (Eph 1:5–6); The Summing up of All Things (Eph 1:9–11); Effects of the Fall Reversed (Rom 5:12–21 and Rom 16:1–12); Creation’s Eager Expectation (Rom 8:19); Set Free from the Slavery of Corruption (Rom 8:21–22); Dead in Adam but Alive in Christ (1 Cor 15:20–23); New Creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17); and Receiving Christ’s Righteousness (2 Cor 5:21)]
[Click here to go to Chapter 3: The Image of God (Genesis 1:26–31)]
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[1] Lincoln, Ephesians, 27.
[2] Arnold, Ephesians, 85. Italics mine.
[3] Friedrich Büchsel, “ἀπολύτρωσις” (apolutrōsis), TDNT 4:351–6, 352.
[4] Büchsel, “ἀπολύτρωσις” (apolutrōsis), 353.
[5] Snodgrass, Ephesians, 51.
[6] Erickson, Christian Theology, 714–29, 744–52.
[7]John Jefferson Davis, Handbook of Basic Bible Texts: Every Key Passage for the Study of Doctrine and Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984), 79–81.
[8] Snodgrass, Ephesians, 51.
[9] Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians, 259–60.
[10]“Step One. Do You Know?” Evangelism Explosion, Accessed October 3, 2014, http://evangelismexplosion.org/resources/steps-to-life/step-1-do-you-know/.
[11] I’m grateful for my daughter’s permission to share this anecdote.
[12] Lincoln, Ephesians, 29.
[13] Arnold, Ephesians, 86.
Redemptive History and Theology 