WG: Redemption¶
Overview¶
The redemption concept in the Greek NT centers on the λύτρον (lytron) word family — a group of cognates built on the root λύω (lyo, "to loose/release"). Together these words describe the act, agent, price, and result of ransoming someone from bondage. Two additional terms regularly intersect: ἄφεσις (aphesis, "forgiveness/release") as the immediate effect of redemption, and αἷμα (haima, "blood") as the means by which the ransom is paid.
Word Group Members¶
| Strong's | Word | Transliteration | POS | Occ. | Role in Concept | Library Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G629 | ἀπολύτρωσις | apolytrosis | f. noun | 10 | The completed act — ransom in full | G629 |
| G3083 | λύτρον | lytron | n. noun | 2 | The price — ransom payment | G3083-lytron.md |
| G3085 | λύτρωσις | lytrosis | f. noun | 3 | The act — ransoming, redemption | TODO(need G3085 study) |
| G3084 | λυτρόω | lytroo | verb | 3 | The action verb — to ransom/redeem | G3084 |
| G3086 | λυτρωτής | lytrotes | m. noun | 1 | The agent — the deliverer/redeemer | TODO(need G3086 study) |
| G3089 | λύω | lyo | verb | 40 | The root verb — to loose, untie, release | G3089-lyo.md |
| G487 | ἀντίλυτρον | antilytron | n. noun | 1 | The corresponding ransom — substitute price | G487 |
| G1805 | ἐξαγοράζω | exagorazo | verb | 4 | Market metaphor — to buy out of slavery | G1805 |
| G859 | ἄφεσις | aphesis | f. noun | 16 | The result — forgiveness/release | G859 |
| G129 | αἷμα | haima | n. noun | 92 | The means — blood as ransom payment | G129 |
Relationships¶
Shared Roots¶
- λύω (G3089) root family: λύτρον (G3083), λύτρωσις (G3085), λυτρόω (G3084), λυτρωτής (G3086), ἀπολύτρωσις (G629), ἀντίλυτρον (G487) — all built on the λυ- root meaning "loose/release"
- ἀγοράζω (G59) compound: ἐξαγοράζω (G1805) — ἐκ + ἀγοράζω, "to buy out of the marketplace"
Co-occurrence (appear in same verses)¶
| Word A | Word B | Shared Verses | Typical Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἄφεσις (G859) | αἷμα (G129) | 4 | "blood... for the remission of sins" (Matt 26:28, Heb 9:22) |
| ἀπολύτρωσις (G629) | ἄφεσις (G859) | 2 | "redemption... the forgiveness of sins" (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14) |
| ἀπολύτρωσις (G629) | αἷμα (G129) | 2 | "redemption through his blood" (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14) |
| λύτρωσις (G3085) | αἷμα (G129) | 1 | "by his own blood... eternal redemption" (Heb 9:12) |
The lytron-family words are never paired directly with each other — they are used as alternatives, not combined.
Roles in the Concept¶
- Root action: λύω (G3089) — the basic act of loosing or releasing from bonds
- Price/payment: λύτρον (G3083) — the ransom money; ἀντίλυτρον (G487) — the corresponding ransom given in exchange
- Act of ransoming: λύτρωσις (G3085) — the simple act; ἀπολύτρωσις (G629) — the intensified/completed act ("ransom in full")
- Verb of ransoming: λυτρόω (G3084) — to perform the ransoming
- Agent: λυτρωτής (G3086) — the person who pays the ransom
- Market metaphor: ἐξαγοράζω (G1805) — buying someone out of the slave market
- Means: αἷμα (G129) — the blood of Christ as the ransom payment
- Result: ἄφεσις (G859) — the forgiveness/release that redemption accomplishes
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear Together¶
- Eph 1:7 — [G629 apolytrosis + G859 aphesis + G129 haima] — "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace"
- Col 1:14 — [G629 apolytrosis + G859 aphesis + G129 haima] — "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins"
- Matt 26:28 — [G859 aphesis + G129 haima] — "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins"
- Heb 9:12 — [G3085 lytrosis + G129 haima] — "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us"
- Heb 9:15 — [G629 apolytrosis] — "by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament"
- Mark 10:45 — [G3083 lytron] — "to give his life a ransom for many"
- 1 Tim 2:6 — [G487 antilytron] — "Who gave himself a ransom for all"
- Tit 2:14 — [G3084 lytroo] — "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity"
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py, search_strongs.py, louw_nida.db Last updated: 2026-04-26