“By grace” (that is, mercy contrary to merit; love for the unlovely and, one would have said, unlovable). By what means does grace operate? “Through the redemption [rescue by ransom] that is in Christ Jesus.” How is it that, to those who put faith in him, Christ Jesus is the source, means and substance of redemption? Because, says Paul, God set him forth to be a propitiation. From this divine initiative the reality and availability of redemption flow.
