A Ransom for All

Goal of this Study: WHAT does it mean that Jesus gave himself a “Ransom for All”?
WHY did Jesus have to be a perfect man?
HOW will all benefit from Jesus’ Sacrifice, especially those that lived before him?
WHEN is the “due time”?

Additional References: Studies in the Scriptures Vol. 1, Chap. 9; Vol. 5, Chap. 15

What does it mean that Jesus gave Himself a “Ransom for All”?

This is a fundamental doctrine of our faith. We all are “born in sin and shaped in iniquity.” Psalm 51:5
The only way to be released from this condemnation is through Jesus’ sacrifice. He, himself said:

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life
a ransom for many.”

Some Christians use this scripture to prove their wrong beliefs that only those who accept Jesus today will be saved, while the rest will suffer for eternity. But that is not what the Bible says.

Romans 5:19 “For as through the one man’s disobedience THE MANY were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One THE MANY will be made righteous.”
When we think of “many” we think of a large number, maybe even a majority, but not signifying ALL.
But here “many” really means ALL. Note the equivalency:
- “the many” who are sinners (ALL mankind)
- that same “many” (ALL) will have an opportunity to be righteous
The angel that proclaimed Jesus’ birth said that this good news is for “all people.” Luke 2:10

Adam’s sin brought death to all mankind. In Eden, Adam’s disobedience forfeited his perfect human life and plunged all his descendants into a state of sin and death. Every human born since inherits this fallen condition—not by choice, but by descent.

- Genesis 2:17 “…in the day that thou eat from it you will surely die.”
- Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world,
  and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all have sinned.”
The term “ransom” (Greek: antilutron) implies a corresponding price—something equal to what was lost.

Jesus gave Himself as a Ransom for all, a deliberate, sacrificial act to pay a price that liberates humanity from the curse of sin and death. Jesus’ death on the cross serves as the exact counterbalance, a payment to divine justice that redeems not just a privileged few, but every single person ever born.

- Romans 5:18 “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”

This Ransom is a legal and moral transaction under God’s justice. It’s not a vague gesture but a precise payment, ensuring that no one is excluded from the potential for redemption. The scope is breathtaking; every individual who ever lived is covered by this act of grace.

Hebrews 2:9 (KJV) “…that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.“

It’s a promise of restoration that echoes through Scripture, affirming God’s intent to reconcile all creation to Himself.

Why did Jesus have to be a perfect man?

The necessity of Jesus being a perfect man hinges on God’s unyielding law of equity—a life for a life, a perfect equivalent to what was lost. This Old Testament principle underscores the need for an exact match, not a lesser or higher substitute.

Exodus 21:23-24 “…you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth,…”
Leviticus 24:20 “fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth…”

Adam was created a perfect human with the right to everlasting life. But his willful sin in Eden (Genesis 2:17) corrupted that perfection, passing imperfection and death to all.

Genesis 1:31 “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death.”
Psalm 49:7 “No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him.”

To reverse this, the Ransom demanded a substitute of equal value: a perfect, sinless human life to stand in Adam’s place before God’s justice.

Adam was made “a little lower than the angels.”

Psalm 8:5 (KJV) “For thou hast made him [Adam] a little lower than the angels…”

The exact same statement is made about Jesus.

Hebrews 2:9 (KJV) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower
than the angels…”

Jesus took on human nature specifically to die as our substitute. Jesus became the second Adam.

1 Corinthians 15:45 “The first man, Adam, became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

Jesus—a perfect, sinless human being.

Jesus was sinless.

Hebrews 7:26 (KJV) “…who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners…”

Jesus wasn’t a divine-human hybrid on earth, but a perfect man, mirroring Adam’s original state.

Philippians 2:7-8 “He emptied Himself… being made in the likeness of men.”

Jesus’ perfection was proven by His obedience unto death and His resurrection sealed the Ransom’s acceptance.

Romans 1:4 “Who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.”

Without Jesus’ sinless humanity, the Ransom would fail to meet God’s standard.

How will ALL benefit from Jesus’ sacrifice, especially those who lived before Him?

The beauty of Jesus’ Ransom lies in its universal reach—every human, including those who lived and died before His earthly ministry, will benefit through a promised resurrection.

Adam’s sin condemned all.

Romans 5:18 (KJV) “By the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation,…” But Jesus’ righteousness offers life to all.

Romans 5:18 (KJV) “…even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

This isn’t limited to those who hear the gospel now; it extends backward and forward across time, ensuring no one is left out of the benefits of the Ransom for All.

John 5:28-29 “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice,and will come forth

This promises a universal awakening. Both the righteous and unrighteous will rise, covered by the Ransom.

Acts 24:15 “there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.”

The “all” match the “all” who die in Adam, total inclusivity. “Every man” leaves no exceptions, past or present.

1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
Hebrews 2:9 (KJV) “That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

Here, the parallelism is outstanding: just as death is universal through Adam, life is equally universal through Christ. And this points us back to our main scripture: “A Ransom for All.”

Pre-Christian inclusion
For all those who lived before Christ, the Ransom applies retroactively. They died under Adam’s curse but will rise in the earthly Kingdom Age, a time of restoration.

Isaiah 35:10 “And the ransomed of the Lord will return… with everlasting joy.”

They’ll learn righteousness under ideal conditions.

Isaiah 26:9 “when the earth experiences Your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.”

The elect church, resurrected first as “firstfruits” (James 1:18), will assist Christ in this work, teaching and judging mankind.

Revelation 5:10 “…and they will reign upon the earth.”
1 Corinthians 6:2 “The saints will judge the world.”

Even those who never heard of Jesus—like ancient pagans—will get an opportunity to accept the Ransom’s benefits. Jesus included them all.

John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.”

A broad resurrection is foretold.

Daniel 12:2 “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake…”
Galatians 3:8 (KJV) “The Scripture…preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” The Ransom fulfills this ancient promise.

This process ensures justice and mercy: no one is penalized for ignorance or timing, and all get a chance at everlasting life.

When is the “due time”?

The phrase “to be testified in due time” reveals that the Ransom’s full impact unfolds in stages, not all at once. God’s plan operates on a divine timetable, with distinct “times” for different groups to receive its testimony. The Bible outlines this as a present reality for the church and a future fulfillment for the world.

Present time for the Church:

The “due time” commenced with Jesus’ sacrifice for the ungodly.

Romans 5:6 (KJV) “In due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

He initiated salvation for believers. The call is now limited to believers; forming the firstfruits.

1 John 4:9-10 “He sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Acts 2:39 “as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
James 1:18 “…He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”
1 Corinthians 15:20 “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.”

The church’s resurrection is the initial phase, happening now as the “firstfruits” are gathered.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven… and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection…and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”

The Millennium is the “due time” for the world’s blessing. These verses hint at both a present call (for the church) v.25; and a future awakening (for all the rest of mankind) v.28.

John 5:25 “An hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God: and those who hear will live.”
John 5:28, 29 “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth.”

Future time for the world:

The general application awaits Christ’s 1,000 year Kingdom.

2 Peter 3:8 “…that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
Revelation 20:6 “…but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”

This will be a time of judgment.

John 5:29 “and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”
Acts 17:31 “He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness.”

Order of events:

1. Church Completion: This precedes the world’s blessing.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 “The dead in Christ will rise first .”
Revelation 3:21 “Sit down with Me in My throne.”
1 Corinthians 6:2 “The saints will judge the world.”

2. World’s Awakening:

1 John 2:2 “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” Jesus’ sacrifice isn’t limited to believers today—it encompasses all mankind.
Romans 8:19-21 (KJV) “The creation waiteth…for the manifestation of the sons of God…[to] be delivered from the bondage of corruption.” This deliverance comes after the church is complete.
John 5:28 “…all who are in the tombs will hear His voice.”
Isaiah 11:9 “The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord…” initiating the resurrection process.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every act to judgment…” ensuring a fair trial.

The Ransom does not excuse the sins committed by those in this lifetime – it does not suddenly count sinners as saints and usher them into everlasting bliss. It merely releases the sinner from the first condemnation and its results, and places him again on trial for life, in which his own willful obedience or willful disobedience will decide if he may or may not have life everlasting. They will have a “full knowledge of the truth” and only then they will have to prove their obedience.

3. Culmination:

Philippians 2:9-11 “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow.”
Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…”
Purpose of the delay: The world learns the “lesson of sin” now.
Romans 8:22 “The whole creation groans…” preparing them for future blessings.
Romans 8:21 “The creation itself also will be set free…” timed perfectly by God’s wisdom.
Job 33:29-30 “Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men, to bring back his soul from
the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.”

The “due time” began with Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, opening salvation to the church.

Romans 5:6 (KJV) “In due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise…but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Yet, the full testimony awaits the church’s glorification.

Revelation 14:4 (KJV) “These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God.”

Then, during Christ’s millennial reign, all nations will be blessed (Galatians 3:8), and the non-elect will rise for judgment and opportunity. John 5:29

Conclusion

Jesus’ Ransom, as declared in 1 Timothy 2:5-6, is the anchor of God’s redemptive plan—a perfect life sacrificed to reclaim a perfect life lost, opening the door to salvation for all.

1 Timothy 2:4 (KJV) “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

His sinless humanity satisfied God’s exacting justice, making Him the sole mediator between God and man.

1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV) “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus.”

Through a two-phase resurrection—first the church, then the world—every soul, from antiquity to the future, will benefit, guided by Christ and His glorified saints.

Revelation 22:17 “Let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”

The “due time” unfolds progressively: now for the elect, soon for all, in a Kingdom.

Revelation 21:4 “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death.”

This Ransom promises a restored creation,
reflecting God’s love, wisdom, justice, and power in perfect harmony
—a hope so vast it staggers the imagination and exalts the Creator forever.
Amen.