The Nugget:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (KJV)
Col 1:14 in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of the sins, (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)
Col 1:14 in Whom we have the redemption by means of His blood, the removal of the sins. (Lavender NT)
My Comment:
God the Father (Colossians 1:12) has delivered us from the powers of darkness (Colossians 1:13). This deliverance extends even further than most realize to not just the forgiveness of sins, but to their removal, by the power of the blood Atonement accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. This is an extensive subject for study. Notice that in the notes I have placed in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury for Colossians 1:14 shared below, that the note for the keyword redemption by Walter Kelly Firminger demonstrates that Dr. Malcolm Lavender is not the first to correctly understand redemption. I believe Dr. Lavender as gone further in the study of the Atonement of Christ than any previous scholar who has written on the subject. That is why I share his notes on the subject throughout The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, making it possible for more readers to come to a more accurate understanding of the subject. I am thankful to Dr. Malcolm Lavender and his son Dr. Russ Lavender for their gracious permission granted to me to share their work in this manner.
I trust the following notes and cross references will be an encouragement to all who find it possible to read and study them.
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Colossians 1:14
In whom. Isa 53:12, *Mat 20:28; +*Mat 26:28, +*Act 20:28, *Rom 3:24; *Rom 3:25, +*Gal 3:13, **+Eph 1:7; Eph 5:2, **1Ti 2:6, **Tit 2:14, *Heb 9:12; *Heb 9:22; Heb 10:12, 13, 14, *1Pe 1:19; *1Pe 1:20; **1Pe 3:18, **1Jn 2:2, +*Rev 1:5; *Rev 5:9; Rev 14:4.
redemption. Gr. apolutrōsis (S# G629, Rom 3:24). This word in NT usage means primarily deliverance and does not apart from context convey the idea of a ransom or payment. Ignoring this fact, and taking the word as meaning essentially a payment in order to secure a deliverance, many have raised the question “to whom was the ransom paid?” (Walter Kelly Firminger [WKF], Commentary on Colossians and Philemon, p. 102). This misconception has led to much false doctrine. Lev 4:35, Rom 3:24, 1Co 1:30, *Eph 1:7, *Tit 2:14.
through his blood. FS117, +Gen 19:8. Exo 12:13, Lev 17:11, Mat 26:28, +*Rom 3:25; Rom 5:8, Eph 2:13, Heb 9:12.
the forgiveness. or, the removal (LNT). Removal translates aphesin, to remove, save from not in (Mat 1:21); so a deliverance (Luk 4:18); not a cancelation of guilt, while sin remains in the believer. Sin and guilt are inseparable, both are removed or both remain. Sins are not passed over under grace (Rom 3:25; cf. note at Rom 2:13); under grace sins are not removed from the mind of God, except as from the life of the believer! Where there is removal, as under grace, sin offerings have ceased because removed, aphesis (Heb 10:18; cf. Eph 1:7). Note also that Atonement and redemption are not the same thing; one is past completed action, the other is subjunctive, potential, futuristic (cf. Eph 5:25, 26; Tit 2:14; Heb 13:12; 1Pe 3:18) [LNT, fn g]. Col 2:13; Col 3:13, **Psa 32:1; **Psa 32:2; Psa 130:4, Luk 5:20; Luk 7:47, 48, 49, 50, +*Act 2:38; *Act 5:31; +*Act 10:43; +*Act 13:38; Act 13:39; +*Act 26:18, **Rom 4:6, 7, 8, Eph 1:7; **Eph 4:32, **1Jn 1:9; *1Jn 2:12.
of sins. +=Lev 5:6, Heb 8:12.