We have a God who gives, and He gives the greatest gift of all—namely, Himself.
There are seven places in the New Testament where the words “Gave Himself for,” are distinctly associated with Christ’s substitutionary work. In each case the Greek preposition, “Huper,” translated “for,” occurs. “Huper” means to act on behalf of another,as acting in the stead of him, in other words a substitute.
Why did Christ die?
- To pay the ransom price. “…gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6).
- To bear our sins. “gave himself for our sins” (Galatians 1:4).
- To stand in our place. “gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
- To have us for Himself. “gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
- To make us acceptable to God. “gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).
- To redeem us from all lawlessness. “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness…” (Titus 2:14).
- To remind us of our obligation to Him. “This is my body, which is given for you” (Luke 22:19-20).