It's Greek To Me

I enjoy looking at common biblical Greek words and draw diagrams as to the prepositional prefix attached to them.  'Redemption' conjures up a broad spectrum of images in our minds.  The word in Greek that is used for 'redemption' commonly is 'apolutrosis'. It is two words combined: 'apo'  meaning away from, and 'lutrosis' meaning ransom or redemption. Put together the word has the sense of being redeemed away from. It hints of rescue or release. Reading through its uses, it is the idea of price paid for, released, redeemed and taken away from.

Apolutrosis is used 10 times in the New Testament. (Luke 21:28, Romans 3:24, 8:23, I Corinthians 1:30, the three references in Ephesians listed below, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:15, 11;35.

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:6-7

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

The holy spirit is the gift from God that resides in our hearts. It is our power connection to Jesus Christ and God. We are not to grieve, quench or resist this spiritual enablement that has sealed us and is the earnest (token) of our position in the body of Christ for redemption from the powers of darkness.

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Colossians 1:12-15

Old Testament believers didn't have the seal or earnest of the inheritance as shown in the Hebrews 9:15 and 11:35 records. We should be so thankful for all that has been given to us in the New Covenant and learn as much as we can about effectively operating the gift in helping ourselves and others.