Greek word - (apolutrosis G629, lutrosis G3085)
Quiz - Choose the answer that is closest to what you think REDEMPTION is.
A - a sacrifice
B - a repayment
C - a purchase
D - a paid release
Problem - Outdated
KJV Example - "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30)
Explanation
The King James Version translates two Greek words as redemption: apolutrosis and lutrosis. As you can see, they are identical except for the apo- prefix on one. Apo- means away from.
Both of these words are always translated as redemption by the King James Version except for one time each (where lutrosis is redeem and apolutrosis is deliverance).
Both of these words come from a related word, lutron, that comes from luo. Luo means to release or to loose. So based solely on their etymology, these words refer to a release.
Lutron is usually translated as ransom. It is a payment for the release of a person or property. The person released by the payment may be a prisoner, slave, or kidnapped victim. It may be bail posted, a fine paid to release a person from prison, money paid to free a slave, or money paid to free a kidnapped person.
So redemption is related to ransom.
Redemption is also the noun of redeem. I have a separate lesson on redeem (the verb).
The meaning of redemption in the Bible depends on which Greek word it translates.
If the Greek word behind redemption is lutrosis, redemption is a release payment.
If the Greek word behind redemption is apolutrosis, redemption is the release that happens because of a payment, the paid release.
Lutrosis - the payment. Apolutrosis - the release.
Even though the release has been paid for by the blood of Jesus and those who are Christians have it, the actual release is still in the future. Ephesians 4:30 in the King James Version says "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
On the day of redemption, Christians will be released from the chains of sin and the chains of the physical body. We will be free because of the price that Jesus paid on the cross. The price paid is redemption and the release is redemption.
In the Bible, depending on the Greek word behind it, redemption is release payment or redemption is paid release.
Modern Synonym - paid release
Bible Version Tally (how other versions translate this word) - redemption (37 of 50), set free (10 of 50), rescue (1 of 50)
Breakthrough Version - "And don't make God's Sacred Spirit sad, in whom you were sealed to the day of the paid release." (Ephesians 4:30)