Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 30:4 (Dec 1987)
Article: Petrine Redemption: Its Meaning And Extent
Author: Douglas W. Kennard

---

JETS 30:4 (December 1987) p. 399

Petrine Redemption: Its Meaning And Extent

Douglas W. Kennard*

For Peter, redemption is Christ’s work, setting people free from their previous lifestyles. Peter does not use Paul’s exhaustive redemption concept, which includes features such as justification, forgiveness, and the ultimate departure from the sinful body (Rom 3:24; 7:25; Eph 1:7). Rather, Peter’s concept of redemption emphasizes a changed life.

I. The Meaning Of Petrine Redemption

The basic concept of redemption is the exchanging of ownership, often by paying a price. Peter expresses this thought with two words. First, lytroō means “to set free, redeem or rescue” and often includes paying a ransom.1 The second word, agorazō, emphasizes the market imagery of purchasing goods.2 In such an exchange the goods are set free from the seller, usually to be possessed by the purchaser.

Redemption is applied to people when they are freed from a previous owner. For example, both Greek words for redemption are used to describe the purchasing of slaves. Such redemption may result in enslavement to a new owner or in the slave’s being set free.3 Furthermore these words express the idea of ransom, wherein a conqueror may free prisoners by defeating their master in battle.4 The above examples of human redemption involve the one redeemed exchanging allegiance to the previous dominating power for allegiance to the one accomplishing the redemption. The redemption of people, however, does not require the one redeemed to have a new owner. The person may simply be set free.

The purchase price of the redemption Peter talks about was the death of Christ. For example, Peter heard Jesus say that his purpose in coming was to give his life as a ransom for many (Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45). Such an idea is substitutionary in nature: Jesus died in the place of others.5 Peter develops this theme by first designating what the price of redemption was not and then

*Douglas Kennard is assistant professor of theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois.

JETS 30:4 (December 1987) p. 400

identifying what it was (1 Pet 1:1...

visitor : : uid: ()