THE RANSOM PRICE

1 Tim. 2:6

Morning Meditation 10/27/2012

"Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

The word "ransom" translates, "antilutron" and means, "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"

There are several Scriptures where this idea is expressed: Matthew 20:28, "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Acts 20:28, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." The words "purchased with his own blood" has in it the idea of ransom. The human race was held hostage by Satan until the ransom was paid.

Romans 3:23-24, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

The Greek Lexicon says: "In all these passages the same idea is expressed. This word is derived from the Fr. rancon; Lat. redemption. The debt is represented not as cancelled but as fully paid. The slave or captive is not liberated by a mere gratuitous favor, 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. He secures our redemption by the payment of a ransom."

The Psalmist says in Psalms 49:7, "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:" This verse recognizes that man cannot redeem himself or others. The price is too high. Only Jesus, God incarnate in the flesh, had the ability to pay the price. He paid it and man is no longer held hostage by Satan. He has a choice. If he remains in the kingdom of darkness, it is his choice. The door out is open and the sinner can walk through into freedom because the ransom price has been paid.

The words, "Who gave himself for us," translate a word that means, "to give something to someone of one's own accord, to give one something to his advantage." This is a common reminder that Jesus came to die FOR US. He didn't have to die. Had He not died on the cross, He would have never died because He was sinless. However, in such a case as this we would still be lost. He was the only One who could pay the ransom price. Without Him, we would be stranded on death row awaiting the just penalty for our sins.

The word "all" means just that. He did not die for some, He died for all. All can be saved. Most of the world will die in an unsaved condition and will have to spend eternity in the lake of fire. This is not God's fault. The greatest price that could ever be paid was paid for the sins of the whole world. This means the door is open and available for all. God in Christ paid that price.

The words, "to be testified in due time," that is, in the times appointed by God for its being testified of (1Tim 6:15; Tit 1:3). The oneness of the Mediator, involving the universality of redemption (which faith, however, alone appropriates), was the great subject of Christian testimony." [ALFORD]

Revelation 1:18 says, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Jesus came forth victor over death, hell, and the grave with the keys of death and hell hanging at His side. He can pardon anyone on death row because He paid the ransom price and secured the keys to set men free.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts. He paid the ransom price for our eternal souls.

In Christ

Bro. White