Conceptual Nuances Between Buying back, Ransom and Redemption

I-Buying back (Rachat in French) and Redemption, Nuances of a Divine Salvation

The terms “Buying back” and “redemption” are deeply intertwined, sharing a profound meaning and often used interchangeably. Yet, in the saving work of Jesus Christ, these two words reveal distinct nuances that illuminate different aspects of His divine mission.

“Redemption” is a theological concept encompassing the entirety of salvation, while “Buying back” is regarded as the means or the act through which this redemption is accomplished. Buying back expresses the idea of a price being paid to obtain freedom; it therefore represents the transactional aspect of redemption.

The Incarnation of Jesus for Our Redemption

As Jonathan Edwards explains in his work A History of the Work of Redemption:

“If Jesus Christ had remained only in His divine nature, He would not have been in a position to accomplish our salvation — not because of any imperfection in the divine nature, but rather because of its absolute and infinite perfection. Christ, as God, could neither obey nor suffer as was necessary. The divine nature cannot suffer; it is infinitely exalted above all suffering. Nor can it obey the law given to men. It is as impossible for One who is only God to obey the law given to men as it is for Him to endure the punishment that must fall upon man. Therefore, it was necessary that Christ should take upon Himself not only a created nature but our very human nature.”

The Incarnation thus allowed Christ to assume our humanity in order to accomplish the work of redemption.

The word “redemption” literally means “Buying back”. If we are delivered (or redeemed), this implies that our former condition was one of slavery. We were slaves to sin, condemned to eternal separation from God. “Buying back” denotes the liberation of believers from sin, from the curse of the law, and from death, through the sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price for our Buying back; He freed us from sin and saved us from its eternal consequences.

Several passages of Scripture illustrate this truth:

• Colossians 1:13–14 – “¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”.
• 1 Corinthians 6:20 – “you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”.
• Galatians 3:13 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.””.
• Hebrews 7:27 – “Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”.

“Buying back” is the work accomplished by Jesus Christ, who, out of love, restored humanity to freedom and reconciled it with God. This Buying back is final and complete.

II-Ransom and Redemption

Redemption: An Act of Divine Justice and Love

Christian theology teaches that sin brought separation between God and humanity, and that “the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). For divine justice to be satisfied and the relationship to be restored, a price — a “ransom” — had to be paid. Jesus, being both fully God and fully man, is the only One capable of offering such a sacrifice.

The “ransom” (from the Greek lytron) is the price paid to bring about Buying back. Jesus paid this ransom for our liberation from sin and its consequences. The concept of ransom is therefore intimately linked to the Christian idea of redemption.

“Redemption” is both an act of divine justice and an expression of divine love — fulfilling God’s holy justice while offering His mercy. It is an act of reconciliation between God and man. The sacrifice of Christ upon the cross satisfies the demands of divine justice and simultaneously reveals the infinite love of God.

Scripture declares:

• Matthew 20:28 – “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”.
• 1 Timothy 2:6 – “who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.”.

Thus, “redemption” refers above all to the work Christ accomplished for us — by which He delivered us and paid our “ransom” with His own life. Through this act, our Buying back from the bondage and condemnation of sin was secured. Jesus truly paid to God the ransom of our souls: His own life, His blood poured out as a sacrifice. Through His death, all people may receive the gift of atonement and divine forgiveness. Without His death, God’s Law would still have to be satisfied by our own.

III-Clarifying the Terms Buying back (Rachat in French), Ransom, and Redemption

In summary:

• Buying back is the result — the liberation and restoration of our relationship with God, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
• Ransom is the price paid — the blood of Christ, which redeems believers and frees them from the slavery of sin.
• Redemption is the complete process and the ultimate outcome of that Buying back, accomplished through the payment of the ransom.

The doctrine of redemption reveals the magnitude of human sin, the necessity of divine intervention, and the greatness of God’s love manifested through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity.

umanity.