“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers.”

This verse asserts that God does not ransom by the vain manner of life of tradition. The death of Christ is the means or redemption (v.19).

with corruptible things

Jesus redeemed us by a ransom paid to the Father. That ransom was not paid from corruptible things such as silver or gold. It was the precious blood of Christ that redeemed us (v.19).

“Corruptible” means liable to decay. Silver and gold can become oxidized and lose their value. Pure gold does not rust easily, but much of the gold of the ancient world was not pure. Often this impure gold oxidized, ruining the beautiful metal by tarnishing.

“Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days,” (James 5:3).

PRINCIPLE:

Our redemption is eternal, not temporal.

APPLICATION:

Gold is destructible, but the blood of Christ indestructible. Gold and silver will one day lose their value, but our salvation has eternal value.

Are you spending most of your energies on temporal things that will one day oxidize? Why not keep eternal values in view?