Apolutrosis denotes a deliverance received in Christ, anticipated for the body and a coming day, or refused as release under torture.

The dominant attested use names a deliverance received in connection with Christ, grace, forgiveness, and release from earlier transgressions. Other verses place it as an awaited reality for the body, an acquired possession, or a coming day; Hebrews 11:35 uses it for release that suffering people refused.

1. Deliverance received through Christ · dominant

   In 1 Corinthians 1:30, the nominative singular form stands among what Christ Jesus became for believers, alongside wisdom, righteousness, and holiness. In Colossians 1:14 and Ephesians 1:7, the accusative singular form occurs in clauses about having this benefit, with forgiveness named in the same clauses; Romans 3:24 places it in the clause about being justified freely by grace. Hebrews 9:15 places the accusative form in the new-covenant context where a death has occurred concerning transgressions under the first covenant.

   1 Corinthians 1:30Colossians 1:14Ephesians 1:7Romans 3:24Hebrews 9:15
2. Deliverance awaited as a future outcome · common

   Luke 21:28 uses the nominative singular form in the reason for lifting up one's head because the stated outcome is drawing near. Ephesians 1:14 and Ephesians 4:30 place the accusative and genitive singular forms respectively with an inheritance and with a day for which believers were sealed, while Romans 8:23 names it in what people eagerly expect concerning their body.

   Luke 21:28Ephesians 1:14Ephesians 4:30Romans 8:23
3. Release refused under torture · rare

   In Hebrews 11:35, the accusative singular form is the object of refusing: others were tortured and would not accept release, because they sought a better resurrection. The verse presents this as a refused release rather than as a presently possessed benefit.

   Hebrews 11:35

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term with “redemption,” including clauses about having it, its relation to grace, and its relation to the body. In Hebrews 11:35 it instead renders the relevant clause with “release”; That variation should not by itself define separate senses.