Greek
σωτηρία
sōtēria
Salvation, deliverance, rescue
The Greek word for 'salvation' — deliverance from sin, death, judgment, and evil into wholeness, life, and God's presence. The English 'soteriology' (study of salvation) comes from this word. Christ is our Sōtēr (Savior); the result is sōtēria.
Soteria (σωτηρία) is the Greek word for salvation, deliverance, rescue, or wholeness. It comes from 'sōzō' (to save) and is related to 'sōtēr' (savior). In Classical Greek, sōtēria could refer to physical preservation (from illness, war, or shipwreck) as well as deliverance in religious or political senses. In the NT, sōtēria becomes the dominant theological term for what Christ has done for sinners. The English 'soteriology' (doctrine of salvation) is built from this root. 'Sotēr' (savior) was a title for Hellenistic rulers; the NT applies it definitively to Christ.
Soteria appears about 45 times in the NT. (1) Salvation as present possession and future hope. Romans 1:16 — 'the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation.' 1 Peter 1:9 — 'Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.' (2) Salvation as deliverance from sin. Matthew 1:21 — 'thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.' (3) Salvation as comprehensive — past, present, future. Christians have been saved (Ephesians 2:8 — past), are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18 — present), and will be saved (Romans 13:11 — future). (4) Salvation through Christ alone. Acts 4:12 — 'Neither is there salvation in any other... whereby we must be saved.' John 14:6 — Christ as the way. (5) Salvation by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 — 'For by grace are ye saved through faith.' Not by works. (6) Salvation includes adoption, justification, sanctification, glorification. Romans 8:29-30 — the comprehensive plan. (7) Salvation requires response. Romans 10:9-13 — confess and believe. The threefold tense of salvation. Past: justification — declared righteous in Christ. Present: sanctification — being made holy. Future: glorification — perfected at Christ's return. Soteria is comprehensive.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”
“And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
Receive salvation through Christ. Live in light of present salvation. Work out your salvation (Philippians 2:12). Anticipate future salvation. Tell others of salvation. Soteria is comprehensive — it shapes the entire Christian life, from conversion to glorification.
Soteria (σωτηρία) is the Greek word for salvation — deliverance from sin, death, judgment, and evil into life, wholeness, and God's presence. It comes from 'sōzō' (to save) and is the source of 'soteriology' (the doctrine of salvation). In the NT, soteria is comprehensive — past (justification), present (sanctification), and future (glorification). It is by grace through faith in Christ alone.
(1) Past — believers have been saved at conversion (Ephesians 2:8 — 'ye are saved'). This is justification — declared righteous through faith in Christ. (2) Present — believers are being saved through sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:18). Progressive transformation by the Spirit. (3) Future — believers will be saved at glorification (Romans 13:11 — 'now is our salvation nearer'). The threefold tense covers the whole work of soteria.
Yes. Acts 4:12 — 'Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.' John 14:6 — Christ as the only way. 1 Timothy 2:5 — one mediator. Christianity has historically affirmed Christ as the exclusive way of salvation. See /apologetics/what-about-other-religions.
By grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-10 — confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead. Ephesians 2:8-9 — salvation is God's gift, received by faith, not earned by works. Acts 16:31 — 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' Repent of sin and trust Christ. Receive him (John 1:12). Be baptized. Live as his disciple.