Full Redemption (ἀπολύτρωσις)
Redemption refers to the payment of a ransom for the purpose of releasing someone from captivity. The term carries both legal and economic connotations, commonly used in reference to the act of freeing a slave or prisoner through the payment of a specified price. The expression “full redemption” intensifies the concept by adding the preposition “from” to indicate complete release—signifying that the payment secures total freedom from all obligation or debt.
Because of Adam’s sin, all humans are held in slavery to death. Furthermore, his trespass resulted in spiritual separation from God, passing on a nature that is enslaved to sin. In order for this debt to be removed, blood must be shed.
In the history of Israel, we observe that human nature seeks to pay this ransom through the law, attempting to demonstrate righteousness by works. However, the law did not bring freedom; rather, it showed just how sinful our sin nature truly is. Through the law, the sin nature was fully manifested, exposing its exceedingly sinful character (Romans 7:13).
It is through Christ that God accomplished full redemption. Through the shedding of His blood, He paid the ransom in full. Therefore, our justification before God is grounded in the complete redemption found in Christ.
having been justified without cost by His grace through the full redemption, the one in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).
Christ not only paid the penalty for sin through His physical death, but He also addressed the impact of Adam’s trespass, which brought about spiritual separation from God. Through His blood He entered the Holy of Holies in the heavens, accomplishing full redemption—not merely from the act of sin, but also by dealing with the trespass that produced unrighteousness and led to sin (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14).
Unrighteousness is the broader term, for all sin carries the quality of unrighteousness (1 John 5:17). Before sin occurs, a determination arises within the mind to act lawlessly, placing the individual in a state of unrighteousness. From this condition, sin works itself out through action (James 1:14–15).
Israel transgressed the law and thereby became fully liable. Through His death, Christ fully redeemed them, mediating a new covenant (Hebrews 9:15)—a covenant established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).
Sin held us in bondage, subjecting us to physical death and enslaving us to its desires. Christ’s death on the cross paid the full ransom to free us from the sin nature. Through His blood, He entered the true heavenly sanctuary and obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). God imputes Christ’s death and resurrection to us, enabling us to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4–5). Since we have died with Christ to sin, we are no longer bound as slaves to obey it (Romans 6:6). To apply this victory in our daily lives, we must reckon it to be true (Romans 6:11) and yield our members as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13).