Christ’s death was redemptive. The English term redemption means to buy back, to free from captivity, to release from debt, or to free from the consequences of sin. Theologically, redemption means to purchase or buy back something that originally belonged to the purchaser. Through His death, Jesus Christ buys back the sinner. His blood is the payment of redemption. Thus, redemption is the foundation of salvation. Before God could provide salvation to the sinner, He had to pay the ransom required to release the sinner from his or her sins.
The Greek term agorázō means to purchase in the slave market. It conveys the idea of buying a slave to grant them freedom. As well, it carries the idea of being delivered from something. The term agorázō is used to denote Jesus’ ransoming people from the curse of the Law.
By paying the ransom to God, Jesus secured the release of believers from the Law’s curse. Not only did Jesus secure the believer’s release, but He took upon Himself the curse. Note that the Law is not a curse, but rather the breaking of the Law results in the curse.
According to Leon Morris, “A curse rests on everyone who does not fulfill the law; Christ died in such a way as to bear or be a curse; we who should have been accursed now go free … (moreover, this is) a legally based freedom.” (1)
ENDNOTES:
The Greek term agorázō means to purchase in the slave market. It conveys the idea of buying a slave to grant them freedom. As well, it carries the idea of being delivered from something. The term agorázō is used to denote Jesus’ ransoming people from the curse of the Law.
- Christ redeemed (exagorázō) us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree. - Galatians 3:13
- So that He might redeem (exagorázō) those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. - Galatians 4:5
By paying the ransom to God, Jesus secured the release of believers from the Law’s curse. Not only did Jesus secure the believer’s release, but He took upon Himself the curse. Note that the Law is not a curse, but rather the breaking of the Law results in the curse.
- Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them. And all the people shall say, Amen. - Deuteronomy 27:26
- For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. - James 2:10
According to Leon Morris, “A curse rests on everyone who does not fulfill the law; Christ died in such a way as to bear or be a curse; we who should have been accursed now go free … (moreover, this is) a legally based freedom.” (1)
ENDNOTES:
- Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965), p. 56, 58
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