Ransom

the price or payment made for our redemption, as when it is said that the Son of man "gave his life a ransom for many" ( Matthew 20:28 ; Compare Acts 20:28 ; Romans 3:23 Romans 3:24 ; 1 Corinthians 6:19 1 Corinthians 6:20 ; Galatians 3:13 ; Galatians 4:4 Galatians 4:5 : Ephesians 1:7 ; Colossians 1:14 ; 1 Timothy 2:6 ; Titus 2:14 ; 1 Peter 1:18 1 Peter 1:19 . In all these passages the same idea is expressed). This word is derived from the Fr. rancon; Lat. redemptio. The debt is represented not as cancelled but as fully paid. The slave or captive is not liberated by a mere gratuitous favour, but a ransom price has been paid, in consideration of which he is set free. The original owner receives back his alienated and lost possession because he has bought it back "with a price." This price or ransom (Gr. lutron) is always said to be Christ, his blood, his death. He secures our redemption by the payment of a ransom. (See REDEMPTION .)