Redeemed by the Blood
Redemption Through the Blood of Christ
Ephesians 1:7
One of the great themes of the book of Ephesians is the believer's position in Christ. The phrase "in whom" appears throughout the epistle, emphasizing that every spiritual blessing God gives is found in his Son. While the phrase is used throughout Scripture, Ephesians highlights it more than any other book, using it repeatedly to remind believers that their identity, security, and blessings are inseparably connected to Christ. Of the forty-three occurrences of the phrase in Scripture, seven are concentrated within six verses of Ephesians (1:7, 11, 13; 2:21–22; 3:12), drawing attention to the completeness of what we possess in him.
The first of these seven blessings is redemption through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7). Redemption is the act of purchasing someone out of bondage by paying the required price. Sin had enslaved mankind, leaving every person guilty before a holy God and unable to free himself. Our redemption was not accomplished through good works, religious ceremonies, or earthly wealth, but through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The price of our freedom was the sacrificial death of the spotless Lamb of God.
The blood of Christ purchased our pardon and secured our forgiveness forever. Colossians 1:14 reminds us that "in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." Peter declares that we were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold, "but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18–19). Revelation celebrates the Savior who "loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Revelation 1:5) and who "redeemed us to God by thy blood" (Revelation 5:9). Because of that blood, Romans 5:9 assures us that we are "justified by his blood" and delivered from the wrath to come.
Every blessing that follows in Ephesians begins with this one. Before we could receive an inheritance, be sealed by the Holy Spirit, or enjoy access to the Father, we first had to be redeemed. The blood of Christ is the foundation upon which every spiritual blessing rests, reminding us that our salvation was not free—it was fully paid for by the Son of God.