Topical Bible: Redemption: Corruptible Things Cannot Purchase

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In the Christian doctrine of redemption, the concept that corruptible things cannot purchase salvation is a fundamental tenet. This belief is rooted in the understanding that human efforts and material wealth are insufficient to secure eternal life or forgiveness of sins. The Bible emphasizes that redemption is a divine act, accomplished through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and cannot be attained through earthly means.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Peter addresses this concept directly in his first epistle. In 1 Peter 1:18-19 , he writes, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot." This passage underscores the inadequacy of material wealth in achieving redemption, contrasting it with the invaluable sacrifice of Christ.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The Old Testament provides a foreshadowing of this principle through the sacrificial system. While the Israelites offered sacrifices of animals and other goods, these were temporary measures pointing to the ultimate sacrifice. Psalm 49:7-8 states, "No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice." This highlights the insufficiency of human offerings to achieve true redemption.

The Role of Jesus Christ

The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the redemptive promise. His death and resurrection are the means by which humanity is redeemed. Ephesians 1:7 declares, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." This verse emphasizes that redemption is a gift of grace, not a transaction that can be bought with corruptible things.

The Inadequacy of Human Efforts

Throughout Scripture, the inadequacy of human efforts in achieving redemption is a recurring theme. Isaiah 64:6 reminds believers, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." This metaphor illustrates that even the best human deeds fall short of God's standard and cannot purchase redemption.

The Eternal Perspective

The eternal nature of redemption is contrasted with the temporal nature of material wealth. In Matthew 6:19-20 , Jesus instructs, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." This teaching encourages believers to focus on spiritual wealth, which is imperishable.

Conclusion

The doctrine that corruptible things cannot purchase redemption is a cornerstone of Christian theology. It affirms that salvation is a divine gift, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and cannot be earned or bought by human means. This understanding calls believers to rely wholly on God's grace and the redemptive work of Christ for their salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:18
For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Blood of the Covenant
... "Ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things as silver ... as the blood-shedding for
our redemption is the ... it does not fully understand, and cannot define, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter ix the blood of.htm

Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and ...
... propitiation"; for in a manner which cannot be expressed ... in that he gave the price
of redemption in the ... ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 christ rightly and.htm

"And the Redeemer Shall Come unto Zion, and unto them that Turn,"
... the first distance; for "love and majesty cannot long dwell ... And besides, he hath
right to redemption, as the ... It was not gold or silver, or corruptible things. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiv and the redeemer.htm

Of the Effects of those Prerogatives.
... the mysteries of the work of our redemption; yea, so ... Matthew 25:21;) which, because
it cannot enter into ... enjoy ere long), before the corruptible things of this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/4 of the effects of.htm

"Therefore, Brethren, we are Debtors, not to the Flesh, to Live ...
... in the second, and that is the work of the redemption of man ... gold, and the heavens
into precious stones, yet these corruptible and material things come as ...
/.../the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxiii therefore brethren we.htm

A More Particular Account of the Way by which this Salvation is to ...
... and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1:Cor ... thou wast not redeemed
with corruptible things, as silver ... for I cannot and will not dissemble it ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter ix a more particular.htm

"Bought with a Price"
... that "ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver ... same time cast away
the benefit of redemption. ... impress upon the memory; men cannot forget these ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/bought with a price.htm

How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
... of salvation through works, that we cannot endure to ... Thus there was a covenant of
redemption betwixt God ... with gold or silver, or corruptible things but with ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter iv how christ is.htm

Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the ...
... of kings and princes, are but corruptible things, (1 Pet ... in the economy of our
redemption, to form ... now prevailed upon to consider these things; things which, if ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse v of the incapacity.htm

The Costliness of Prayer
... Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown: but we ... Even as we got those good things
by prayer at ... by conquest, or by inheritance, or by right of redemption. ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/xvi the costliness of prayer.htm