What is the difference between redemption and salvation?

Salvation is the wider word: being rescued from sin and death. Redemption stresses how it happened — by a price paid. On the cross, Jesus paid the ransom (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

What is a kinsman-redeemer?

The close relative who bought back the land or freedom of a family member who had become poor (Leviticus 25:25). Boaz did this for Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 4), and the Bible calls God himself the Redeemer of Israel (Isaiah 41:14).

Greek word · Strong G629

What does redemption mean?

Redemption is freedom bought at a price: releasing someone from slavery or debt by paying what was owed. It is the Greek apolytrosis, which the King James translates “redemption” in nine of its ten verses: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7).

ἀπολύτρωσις

apolýtrōsis · transliteration

In Strong’s lexicon: (the act) ransom in full, i.e. (figuratively) riddance, or (specially) Christian salvation
In the King James: redemption9
Appears in: 10 verses

See the full G629 entry →Also in the lexicon: H1353 גְּאֻלָּה

The meaning of redemption in the Bible

The word comes from lytron, the ransom paid to free a slave or a prisoner. Jesus used it of his own death: he came “to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). That is why Paul says we are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24) — free for us, costly for him.

In the Old Testament the idea lives in the law of redemption (the Hebrew geullah, H1353): the nearest relative had the right and the duty to buy back a family member's land or freedom. That is the story of Boaz, who redeems the land of Elimelech, put up for sale by Naomi, and marries Ruth (Ruth 4). And redemption still has a future: we wait for “the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23).

Where redemption appears

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

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Romans 3:24

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

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Romans 8:23

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

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Ruth 4:6

And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between redemption and salvation?: Salvation is the wider word: being rescued from sin and death. Redemption stresses how it happened — by a price paid. On the cross, Jesus paid the ransom (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
What is a kinsman-redeemer?: The close relative who bought back the land or freedom of a family member who had become poor (Leviticus 25:25). Boaz did this for Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 4), and the Bible calls God himself the Redeemer of Israel (Isaiah 41:14).

The meaning of redemption in the Bible

Where redemption appears

Ephesians 1:7

Romans 3:24

Romans 8:23

Ruth 4:6

Frequently asked questions

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