What is Redemption?

Definition

Redemption means being bought out of slavery and set free. In Bible times, someone could pay money to purchase a slave from the marketplace and release them. Jesus did something similar for us spiritually—He paid a price to free us from slavery to sin. The price wasn't money but His own blood when He died on the cross. Through redemption, Jesus rescued us from sin's punishment, broke sin's power over us, and freed us from Satan's control. When Jesus redeems someone, they transfer ownership from sin and Satan to God. The cost was incredibly high—God's own Son had to die—which shows how serious sin is and how valuable God's people are to Him. Redemption is permanent; once Jesus buys someone with His blood, they can never be enslaved to sin again. Redemption includes past freedom (from sin's penalty), present freedom (from sin's controlling power), and future freedom (from sin's presence completely).

Biblical Example

God redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt, saying "I will redeem you with an outstretched arm" (Exodus 6:6). This physical rescue pointed forward to Jesus's greater spiritual redemption through His death.