Please Help Us Keep These Thousands of Blog Posts Growing and Free for All

$5.00

In whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7)

In whom we have redemption. On the meaning of the word here rendered (ἀπολύτρωσις apolutrōsis; from ἀπολυτρόω apolutroō), it has the sense of full redemption, a redemption to a greater degree. It means to release or set free, with the implied analogy to the process of freeing a slave—‘to set free, to liberate, to deliver, liberation, deliverance.’ It is possible that ἀπολύω^c is somewhat more emphatic in meaning than λύω in view of the prepositional prefix ἀπο-, but NT contexts are not sufficient to indicate any precise degree of distinction. Therefore, it denotes being redeemed (saved) from sin and the evil consequences of Adamic sin, obtained by the atonement (ransom sacrifice) made by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Through his blood. The redemption, as stated above, is by the ransom sacrifice (blood) of Jesus Christ, how it was achieved. With this atonement, Jesus voluntarily gave his life to God as an offering to accomplish the forgiveness of the sins of mankind.

The forgiveness of trespasses. The Greek word (παράπτωμα paraptōma) rendered trespass is a sin that can come in the way of some desire (lusting), some thinking (entertaining wrongdoing), or some action (carrying out one’s desires or thoughts that he or she has been entertaining) that is beyond or overstepping God’s moral standards, as set out in the Scriptures. It is falling or making a false step as opposed to standing or walking upright in harmony with the righteous requirements of God. – Matt. 6:14; Mark 11:25; Rom. 4:25; 5:15-20; 11:11; 2 Cor. 5:19; Gal. 6:1; Eph. 1:7; 2:1, 5; Col 2:13.

The Bible’s theme revolves around Christ’s death as a perfect human ransom sacrifice. However, unlike the sacrifices under the Mosaic Law, Jesus did not remain dead. Following the pattern that God set on Atonement Day, “Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” Before the Father, he presented the value of his sacrificial blood. (Hebrews 9:24) The Greek word (ἄφεσις aphesis) rendered forgiveness; it has the sense of our being absolved, released, pardoned from our debt of sin to God. Jesus used these same words, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:14-15) The Bible also stresses that we must keep away from anything that would amount to our ‘trampling underfoot the Son of God, and our profaning the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified.’ It is only by this that we will retain a righteous standing before God. – Hebrews 10:29; Colossians 1:20.

According to the riches of his grace. Grace, Undeserved Kindness is a Greek word (χάρις charis) with the sense of good that God freely gives; especially to the benefit of the recipient, which is a kindness that is not deserved. The free and unmerited favor, generous love, and kindness of God manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. It is given even though it is unearned and unmerited, driven exclusively by the generosity of God. – 2Co 6:1; Eph 1:7.