In the vast landscape of Christian literature, few subjects hold as much profound weight and transformative power as the Paid in Full: Passion of Jesus Christ—the final, harrowing hours of His earthly life that culminated in His crucifixion and resurrection. It is a story that has been told for two millennia, yet it never loses its urgency, its depth, or its capacity to reshape lives.
In Paid in Full: An In-depth Look at the Defining Moments of Christ’s Passion, renowned Bible teacher and author Rick Renner offers not just a retelling, but a meticulously detailed, theologically rich, and spiritually immersive exploration of this sacred narrative. Spanning 35 powerful chapters, Renner guides readers through every pivotal moment—from the Upper Room to the empty tomb—with a blend of scholarly insight, pastoral warmth, and prophetic urgency.
This book is far more than a historical recounting; it is a devotional pilgrimage designed to awaken the heart to the staggering cost of our redemption. In this comprehensive review and summary, we will delve into each of the 35 chapters, unpacking Renner’s key insights, theological emphases, and the profound message he conveys throughout this masterful work. Whether you are a lifelong believer seeking a deeper understanding of the cross or a curious seeker grappling with the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice, Paid in Full offers a transformative encounter with the heart of the Gospel.
The Author’s Intent: Why “Paid in Full”?
Before diving into the chapter-by-chapter analysis, it’s essential to grasp Rick Renner’s overarching purpose. Renner, known for his deep dives into biblical Greek and Hebrew, his emphasis on spiritual warfare, and his global ministry, approaches the Passion narrative not merely as a sequence of events but as a cosmic transaction—a divine payment that settled humanity’s sin debt once and for all. The title Paid in Full is drawn from the Greek word “tetelestai,” spoken by Jesus on the cross (John 19:30), which literally means “It is finished” or “Paid in full.” In Roman times, this phrase was stamped on receipts to indicate a debt had been completely satisfied.
Renner’s central thesis is clear: Christ’s death was not a tragic accident but a deliberate, divinely orchestrated act of atonement that fully satisfied God’s justice and unleashed His mercy. Every chapter builds toward this truth, revealing how each moment—from the betrayal in Gethsemane to the resurrection dawn—was part of a sovereign plan to reconcile humanity to God. The message is both comforting and convicting: your sin debt has been paid. But this gift demands a response—a life of gratitude, surrender, and worship.
Now, let’s walk through the 35 defining moments Renner so vividly unpacks.
Part I: The Final Night – Intimacy, Betrayal, and Arrest
Chapter 1: The Upper Room – A Night of Profound Intimacy
Renner opens with the Last Supper, emphasizing the deep emotional and spiritual intimacy Jesus shared with His disciples. He highlights Jesus’ knowledge of His impending betrayal and death, yet His choice to wash the feet of Judas—the very man who would betray Him. This act, Renner argues, reveals the heart of Christ: humble, sacrificial, and full of love even in the face of treachery.
Chapter 2: The New Covenant in My Blood
Here, Renner unpacks the institution of the Lord’s Supper. He explains how the bread and wine symbolize Christ’s body and blood, establishing a new covenant that supersedes the old. This covenant, sealed by Jesus’ sacrifice, offers direct access to God and eternal life—a theme that echoes through the rest of the book.
Chapter 3: The Disciples’ Argument – A Warning Against Pride
Amidst the sacred meal, the disciples argue over who is the greatest. Renner uses this moment to warn against spiritual pride and self-exaltation, contrasting their ambition with Christ’s humility. He urges readers to adopt a servant’s heart, just as Jesus modeled.
Chapter 4: Gethsemane – The Agony of Surrender
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experiences profound anguish. Renner delves into the Greek word “agonia” (agony), describing Jesus’ sweat like drops of blood (Luke 22:44) as a sign of extreme spiritual and physical stress. This chapter underscores the cost of obedience—Jesus’ human nature recoiled, yet He submitted to the Father’s will.
Chapter 5: The Cup of Suffering
Renner explains the “cup” Jesus refers to as the full measure of God’s wrath against sin. Jesus, though sinless, willingly drank this cup so believers would never have to. This is the heart of substitutionary atonement—Christ bearing what we deserve.
Chapter 6: Judas’ Betrayal – The Price of Treachery
The infamous kiss of Judas is examined not just as an act of betrayal but as a fulfillment of prophecy (Psalm 41:9). Renner contrasts Judas’ thirty pieces of silver with the infinite value of Christ, warning against the danger of valuing temporal gain over eternal truth.
Chapter 7: Peter’s Denial – The Fragility of Human Resolve
Peter’s threefold denial is portrayed as a cautionary tale about overconfidence in one’s own strength. Renner emphasizes that even the most zealous believers can fall—but grace is always available for restoration.
Chapter 8: The Arrest – Divine Sovereignty in Human Chaos
Though surrounded by armed soldiers, Jesus remains in control. Renner points out how Jesus’ declaration “I am He” (John 18:6) caused the soldiers to fall backward—a subtle display of His divine authority even in arrest.
Chapter 9: Abandoned by All – The Loneliness of the Cross
All disciples flee, fulfilling Zechariah 13:7. Renner reflects on the profound isolation Jesus experienced, bearing the weight of sin alone. This moment, he says, reveals the depth of His love—He faced abandonment so we would never be forsaken.
Chapter 10: The Illegal Trial – Justice Perverted
Jesus is dragged before Annas and Caiaphas in a mock trial riddled with legal violations. Renner details how Jewish and Roman laws were broken, yet God used this injustice to fulfill His redemptive plan.
Part II: The Trials and Condemnation
Chapter 11: False Witnesses and Silence
Despite false accusations, Jesus remains largely silent—fulfilling Isaiah 53:7. Renner explains this silence not as weakness but as the quiet confidence of the Lamb going to slaughter.
Chapter 12: “Are You the Christ?” – The Claim That Condemned Him
When directly asked, Jesus affirms His identity as the Son of God. Renner stresses that this claim—blasphemy to the Sanhedrin—was the true reason for His condemnation. His deity was non-negotiable.
Chapter 13: Peter’s Restoration Begins
Though Peter denied Jesus, Renner notes that Jesus had already prayed for him (Luke 22:32). This chapter offers hope: failure is not final when grace intervenes.
Chapter 14: Pilate’s Dilemma – Washing Hands of Truth
Pilate recognizes Jesus’ innocence but caves to political pressure. Renner uses this to warn against compromising truth for convenience or popularity.
Chapter 15: Barabbas – The Guilty Set Free
The release of Barabbas—a murderer—in place of Jesus is a powerful metaphor: we are Barabbas, guilty and deserving death, yet set free because Christ took our place.
Chapter 16: Scourging – The Bruising of the Messiah
Renner details the brutal Roman scourging, linking it to Isaiah 53:5: “By His stripes we are healed.” He explains that this physical torment was part of the atonement for our healing and wholeness.
Chapter 17: The Crown of Thorns – Mockery with Meaning
The soldiers’ mockery—placing a crown of thorns on Jesus—ironically fulfilled His kingship. Renner notes that thorns symbolize the curse of sin (Genesis 3:18), and Jesus bore that curse for us.
Chapter 18: “Behold the Man!” – Pilate’s Tragic Irony
Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd with the words “Ecce Homo” (“Behold the man!”). Renner reveals the tragic irony: they rejected the very image of God in human form.
Chapter 19: The Verdict – Crucify Him!
The crowd chooses crucifixion. Renner emphasizes that this was not just Rome’s decision but humanity’s collective rejection of God’s Son—a rejection He endured willingly.
Chapter 20: Carrying the Cross – The Weight of Our Sin
Jesus carries His cross, weakened by scourging. Renner reflects on Simon of Cyrene being compelled to help, symbolizing how believers are called to share in Christ’s sufferings.
Part III: The Crucifixion and Death
Chapter 21: Golgotha – The Place of the Skull
At Golgotha, Jesus is crucified between two criminals. Renner explains the significance of this location and the fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 53:12).
Chapter 22: “Father, Forgive Them” – Grace from the Cross
Jesus’ first utterance from the cross is a prayer for His executioners. Renner calls this the ultimate expression of divine mercy—forgiveness offered even in agony.
Chapter 23: The Repentant Thief – Salvation at the Last Hour
The thief who acknowledges Jesus’ innocence receives immediate assurance of paradise. Renner uses this to affirm that salvation is by grace through faith, not works—even at life’s end.
Chapter 24: “Woman, Behold Your Son” – Care in the Midst of Pain
Jesus entrusts His mother to John, showing His concern for others even in His final hours. Renner highlights Christ’s humanity and relational love.
Chapter 25: The Darkness – God’s Wrath Poured Out
From noon to 3 p.m., darkness covers the land. Renner interprets this as the moment God’s wrath against sin was poured out on Jesus, causing the Father to turn away.
Chapter 26: “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”
This cry of dereliction (Psalm 22:1) reveals the spiritual separation Jesus endured as He became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Renner calls this the deepest agony of the cross.
Chapter 27: “I Thirst” – Fulfilling Scripture
Jesus’ declaration of thirst fulfills Psalm 69:21. Renner notes that even in suffering, Jesus ensured every prophecy was completed.
Chapter 28: “It Is Finished!” – The Debt Paid in Full
The climactic moment: “Tetelestai!” Renner unpacks the legal, financial, and sacrificial implications of this word. The work of redemption is complete. The price is paid. The victory is won.
Chapter 29: The Veil Torn – Access to the Holy of Holies
At Jesus’ death, the temple veil tears from top to bottom. Renner explains this as God opening direct access to His presence—no more priests, sacrifices, or barriers.
Chapter 30: The Centurion’s Confession – A Pagan’s Revelation
The Roman centurion declares, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Renner sees this as a divine revelation to a Gentile, foreshadowing the Gospel’s global reach.
Part IV: Burial, Resurrection, and Commission
Chapter 31: The Burial – A Rich Man’s Tomb
Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus in his own tomb, fulfilling Isaiah 53:9. Renner notes the honor given to Christ even in death.
Chapter 32: The Sealed Tomb – Satan’s False Victory
The religious leaders seal the tomb and post guards, thinking they’ve silenced Jesus forever. Renner reveals this as Satan’s last, futile attempt to thwart God’s plan.
Chapter 33: The Resurrection – Death Defeated
On the third day, Jesus rises! Renner emphasizes the empty tomb as historical fact and theological cornerstone—proof that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted.
Chapter 34: Appearances – Proof and Peace
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and others. Renner highlights how these encounters transformed fear into faith and commissioned the Church.
Chapter 35: The Great Commission – Go and Make Disciples
The book concludes with Jesus’ command to spread the Gospel to all nations. Renner ties this back to the cross: because the debt is paid, we are free—and called—to proclaim this good news.
The Core Message: Redemption, Response, and Responsibility
Through these 35 chapters, Rick Renner weaves a consistent and compelling message: the cross was not the end but the means—the divine transaction through which sin’s penalty was fully paid, death was conquered, and eternal life was made available to all who believe.
He wants readers to understand three key truths:
- The Cross Was Necessary – Sin required a perfect sacrifice. Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, was the only one qualified to pay the price.
- The Cross Was Sufficient – Nothing needs to be added to Christ’s finished work. Salvation is a free gift received by faith.
- The Cross Demands a Response – We must move from intellectual assent to heartfelt surrender, living lives that reflect the magnitude of grace we’ve received.
Renner also subtly addresses modern misconceptions—such as viewing the cross as merely a symbol of love without acknowledging its judicial and substitutionary nature. He restores the full biblical picture: love and justice meet at Calvary.
Why This Book Matters Today
In an age of superficial spirituality, Paid in Full calls believers back to the centrality of the cross. It combats complacency by revealing the excruciating cost of our salvation. For skeptics, it presents a historically grounded, theologically coherent account of Christianity’s defining event. For the weary, it offers the unshakable assurance that their debt is paid—no more striving, no more shame.
Final Thoughts
Paid in Full is more than a book; it’s an invitation to stand at the foot of the cross and gaze upon the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. Rick Renner doesn’t just inform—he transforms. By walking us through each defining moment with clarity, passion, and biblical fidelity, he helps us grasp the depth of what it means to be “paid in full.”
As you close this book—or this review—may you hear the echo of those words from the cross: “Tetelestai.” Your sin? Paid in full. Your guilt? Paid in full. Your future? Secured in full. And your response? A life lived in awe, gratitude, and unwavering devotion to the One who paid it all.
Because of the cross, we are free. Because of the resurrection, we have hope. And because it is finished, we can rest—in Him.
FAQs
Q1. What is the main message of Paid in Full?
That Jesus’ sacrifice completely paid the price for sin—nothing more is owed.
Q2. Who should read this book?
Anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Christ’s passion and victory.
Q3. How is Rick Renner’s interpretation different?
He combines deep linguistic study with heartfelt revelation, making theology accessible.
Q4. What does “Paid in Full” mean spiritually?
It signifies that Jesus’ death canceled humanity’s debt to sin forever.
Q5. Is this book suitable for Bible study groups?
Absolutely—it offers powerful insights perfect for reflection and discussion.