“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-“
wisdom from God—
“Wisdom” is the ruling word in the Greek sentence. “Righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” expand what God’s wisdom means (God’s system of salvation). Every believer accepts “wisdom from God” when he becomes a Christian. Christians become Christians by God’s wisdom, not by the wisdom of works or merit.
and righteousness
There is no “and” in Greek before “righteousness” because righteousness, sanctification, and redemption are explanations of what “wisdom from God” contains.
“Righteousness” here is not our personal righteousness, but Christ’s righteousness is put to our account (imputed righteousness). This is judicial or forensic righteousness. It is the quality of being right in God’s eyes. God causes the believer to be as right as Jesus is right before Him. This is eternal and continuous acceptance with God; we stand in perfect conformity to His standard of righteousness. This is imputed righteousness; God puts His righteousness into the believer judicially.
and sanctification
The word “sanctification” means set apart. God sets each believer apart unto Himself. We hold special difference before Him. That is why we are positionally or judicially “holy.” “Sanctification” carries the idea that the believer is uniquely God’s possession. The believer stands consecrated before God. This is imparted or positional sanctification, not sanctification that comes from the believer.
and redemption—
The word “redemption” means to buy something back. Redemption was often used for the liberation of slaves for ransom. Christ purchased us from the slave market of sin. He delivered us from the bondage of the penalty of sin. This is the redemption of our soul and body. Christ is the source of final deliverance from the penalty of sin and the curse of this world. This is implanted redemption.
PRINCIPLE:
God’s system of salvation comes from God’s viewpoint.
APPLICATION:
God’s wisdom is unattainable by a human method of seeking. This wisdom involves righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It is wisdom from a different viewpoint—God’s viewpoint. God’s thoughts (wisdom) are personified in what He did in Christ.
Ro 1:17, For in it the righteousness of God (God’s righteousness) is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just (the justified ones) shall live by faith.”
Ro 3:24, … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…
