Greek word · Strong's G629

ἀπολύτρωσις

apolýtrōsis · noun · “redemption”

In a sentence

Apolytrōsis means redemption — being bought back and set free, often at a price. In Christ it names our release from sin through his blood.

Apolytrōsis pictures the freeing of a slave or captive through ransom paid. The New Testament uses it of God’s saving work in Christ: “in him we have apolytrōsis through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.”

The word holds together two truths: we are really enslaved by sin, and we have really been bought out of that slavery at a real cost. Redemption is not a metaphor; it is the gospel.

Strong's reference

Definition: (the act) ransom in full, i.e. (figuratively) riddance, or (specially) Christian salvation

KJV usage: deliverance, redemption

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Colossians 1:14 “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.