The Meaning of the death of Christ - Chapter 51
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
II. A REDEMPTION IN RELATION TO SIN
II. A REDEMPTION IN RELATION TO SIN
Redemption means liberation because of a payment made. To believers the concept has a special significance since the payment was the death of the Lord Himself.
A. The Old Testament Doctrine
A. The Old Testament Doctrine
Three Hebrew words form the lexical basis for the Old Testament doctrine: g˒l, pdh, and kopher. The primary idea in g˒l is family obligation related to payment of a price.
The kinsman-redeemer had the responsibilities of (a)
redeeming family property that had changed ownership and (b)
marrying a childless widow to raise up children in her dead husband’s name. When there was no brother available, the responsibility was extended to the next of kin
9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”
).
The meaning of the root pdh is that of ransom by payment of a price, as in a commercial transaction, without any obligation arising from kinship
12 you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord’s.
15 Everything that opens the womb of all flesh, whether man or beast, which they offer to the Lord, shall be yours. Nevertheless, the firstborn of man you shall redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem.
16 And their redemption price (at a month old you shall redeem them) you shall fix at five shekels in silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.
17 But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall burn their fat as a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
; ). This word may have more overtones of grace than g˒l simply because the one who redeems has no obligation to do so.
This word may have more overtones of grace than g˒l simply because the one who redeems has no obligation to do so.
. This word may have more overtones of grace than g˒l simply because the one who redeems has no obligation to do so.
The meaning of kopher refers to the sum paid to redeem a forfeited life
28 “When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall not be liable.
;
12 “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them.
. All these words consistently signify deliverance by payment of a price. The circumstances may vary from redeeming a prisoner of war, a slave, a pawned article, or the nation Israel, but always because of the payment of a price.
All these words consistently signify deliverance by payment of a price. The circumstances may vary from redeeming a prisoner of war, a slave, a pawned article, or the nation Israel, but always because of the payment of a price.
). All these words consistently signify deliverance by payment of a price. The circumstances may vary from redeeming a prisoner of war, a slave, a pawned article, or the nation Israel, but always because of the payment of a price.
Little direct association is evident in the Old Testament between redemption and sin (but see
8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.
; ). The lack of formal statements making the association is doubtless due to the ever-present and obvious link between redemption and sin seen in the sacrificial system. Because it was continually seen, it did not have to be said so frequently.
The lack of formal statements making the association is doubtless due to the ever-present and obvious link between redemption and sin seen in the sacrificial system. Because it was continually seen, it did not have to be said so frequently.
. The lack of formal statements making the association is doubtless due to the ever-present and obvious link between redemption and sin seen in the sacrificial system. Because it was continually seen, it did not have to be said so frequently.
B. The New Testament Words
B. The New Testament Words
1. Agorazō. The basic idea in this word is to frequent the forum. Then it took the meaning of buying or acquiring in the forum. The New Testament uses it twenty-four times in this usual meaning of buying
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.”
). The Septuagint uses it with the same basic meaning of buying, a simple commercial transaction (e.g., ; , ).
. The Septuagint uses it with the same basic meaning of buying, a simple commercial transaction
57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
5 Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
6 Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. “Where do you come from?” he said. They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”
; , ).
-
The soteriological use of agorazō in the New Testament includes three basic ideas.
The soteriological use of agorazō in the New Testament includes three basic ideas. (1) In His work of redeeming, Christ paid the purchase price for all mankind (). (2) The price itself is clearly stated to be the blood of Christ (). (3) Because we have been bought with that purchase price, we are to serve Him (; ).
(1) In His work of redeeming, Christ paid the purchase price for all mankind
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
). (2) The price itself is clearly stated to be the blood of Christ (). (3) Because we have been bought with that purchase price, we are to serve Him (; ).
(2) The price itself is clearly stated to be the blood of Christ
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
(3) Because we have been bought with that purchase price, we are to serve Him
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
; ).
22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.
2. Exagorazō. The compound simply adds the idea of purchasing out of the forum. Two passages in which this word is used are especially significant. In
2. Exagorazō. The compound simply adds the idea of purchasing out of the forum. Two passages in which this word is used are especially significant. In
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
the substitutionary nature of Christ’s death stands out clearly. We were under a curse. He bore that curse. We have been removed from the curse. In 4:5 Paul declared that believers have been completely removed from being under the Law.
the substitutionary nature of Christ’s death stands out clearly. We were under a curse. He bore that curse. We have been removed from the curse. In 4:5 Paul declared that believers have been completely removed from being under the Law.
In passing, we might note an interesting use of this compound in a nonatonement passage, . Here believers are exhorted to redeem the time, that is, to buy it up and remove it from useless activities.
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
3. Peripoioumai. This word occurs only one time with reference to the Atonement, in . It means to keep safe or to preserve. In the middle voice as used in this verse, it means to keep or save for oneself or to acquire or gain possession of. Thus the idea is that God acquired the church through the blood of His own Son for His personal possession. Again the idea of a price paid is prominent, and that price clearly was the death of Christ.
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
4. Lutroō. From the root luo, to loose, this word was used for loosing clothes or animals or prisoners. It was usually connected with a ransom being paid as a condition of release. Thus its meaning is to release on receipt of a ransom.
a. In the Septuagint. The half-shekel atonement money levied before the tabernacle was constructed was a ransom payment for each Israelite twenty years and older
11 The Lord said to Moses,
12 “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them.
13 Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the Lord.
14 Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord’s offering.
15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the Lord’s offering to make atonement for your lives.
16 You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your lives.”
The Year of Jubilee involved redemption of property
The Year of Jubilee involved redemption of property
31 But the houses of the villages that have no wall around them shall be classified with the fields of the land. They may be redeemed, and they shall be released in the jubilee.
32 As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites may redeem at any time the houses in the cities they possess.
31 But the houses of the villages that have no wall around them shall be classified with the fields of the land. They may be redeemed, and they shall be released in the jubilee.
32 As for the cities of the Levites, the Levites may redeem at any time the houses in the cities they possess.
The difference between the greater number of firstborn and the lesser number of Levites was compensated for by a five-shekel ransom per extra person
46 And as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites,
47 you shall take five shekels per head; you shall take them according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs),
48 and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over.”
49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites.
50 From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, 1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary.
51 And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.
). In all these instances the idea was freedom because of a price paid.
In all these instances the idea was freedom because of a price paid.
11 The Lord said to Moses,
12 “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them.
13 Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the Lord.
14 Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord’s offering.
15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the Lord’s offering to make atonement for your lives.
16 You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your lives.”
b. In classical Greek. Again the meaning is uniformly release on receipt of ransom paid. The word was often used in relation to the redemption of slaves and prisoners of war.
c. In the New Testament. The verb lutroō appears in (of the national deliverance of Israel);
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
; and (of individual redemption).
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Note especially in the latter reference that the price paid is the blood of the Lamb. The noun lutron occurs only in and .
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
As previously discussed under the meaning of anti this verse clearly affirms substitution, and the price to be paid is the death of Christ.
Lutrōsis is used in connection with the national deliverance of Israel in and 2:38. In the sacrificial system of the Old Testament serves as the background for the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Again the price is clearly “His own blood.”
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people
12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
Apolutrōsis appears 10 times in the New Testament: once referring to non-Christian release (),
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
once in the general sense of Christian redemption (),
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
three times with reference to eschatology (; ; ),
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
and five times of the unbeliever’s release (; , ; ; ).
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Clearly the price paid is the death of Christ. We have already discussed antilutron in under substitution. His death was a substitute ransom payment for all.
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
C. The Doctrine Summarized
C. The Doctrine Summarized
Redemption may be summarized around three basic ideas.
(1) People are redeemed from something; namely, from the marketplace or slavery of sin.
(2) People are redeemed by something; namely, by the payment of a price, the blood of Christ.
(3) People are redeemed to something; namely, to a state of freedom; and then they are called to renounce that freedom for slavery to the Lord who redeemed them.
Ryrie, C. C. (1999). Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (pp. 334–336). Chicago, IL: Moody Press.