Scripture Quotes About the Atonement

These are quotes from Scripture about the atoning death of Jesus Christ. I think these give us important insight into the reason Jesus died. I also have quotes from the early church fathers about the atonement. These are just from Scripture.

I have also done something very important. In Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14, I have translated "redemption," the Greek apolutrosis, the way it is supposed to be translated, "release by payment of ransom."

All quotes are from the World English Bible because it is a good translation and it is in the public domain (i.e., not copyrighted).

Empowering Us to Obey

Acts 3:26

God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.

Romans 14:9

For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

2 Corinthians 5:15

He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

1 Peter 2:24-25

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds. For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 3:18

Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit

Ransoming/Releasing Us from Slavery

Ephesians 1:7

In [Jesus Christ] we have our release by ransom through his blood, the release of our trespasses, according to the riches of his favor. (This non-traditional translation can be found at StudyBible.info along with links to several lexicons defining the Greek words.)

Colossians 1:14

In [Jesus] we have release by ransom through his blood, the release of sins. (Like Ephesians 1:7, this non-traditional translation can be found at StudyBible.info along with links to several lexicons defining the Greek words.)

Overthrowing Spiritual Wickedness in Heavenly Places

Ephesians 1:20-23

... what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might which [God] worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (I changed the WEB "assembly" to "church," as in most other translations, for clarity.)

Colossians 1:18-23

He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile all things to himself by him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross. You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant. (I replaced the World English Bible's "Good News" with "Gospel" and "assembly" with "church," as in most other translations.)

1 Peter 3:20b-23

God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.