Mortgage Loan

A mortgage loan is a monetary loan secured by real property such as a house or land.  The word “mortgage’ is derived from the French words “mort” (“death”) and “gage” or “gaige” (“”pledge””), so it is a “death pledge.”  What in the world does that have to do with the transfer of property?

The British jurist Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634) explained the word.  He said that if the borrower does not repay the loan, the property becomes dead to them and is taken by the loaner.  If the borrower completely repays the loan, the property becomes dead to the loaner.  The assumption is that it is possible to repay the loan.

Christians do not have this type of relationship with the Lord.  We have received not a loan which must be repaid, but a gift.  The gift (the Blood of Jesus) is of infinite value and can never be bought or repaid.