In
Christian theology,
Jesus is sometimes referred to as a
Redeemer. This refers to the
salvation he is believed to have accomplished, and is based on the metaphor of redemption, or "buying back". Although the
Gospels do not use the title "Redeemer", the word "redemption" is used in several of
Paul's letters.
Leon Morris says that "Paul uses the concept of redemption primarily to speak of the saving significance of the death of Christ." The
English word redemption means 'repurchase' or 'buy back', and in the
Old Testament referred to the
ransom of slaves (
Exodus 21:8). In the New Testament the redemption word group is used to refer both to deliverance from sin and freedom from captivity.