Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 34:67 (Autumn 2021)
Article: Different Meanings Of Salvation In Five New Testament Books
Author: Robert N. Wilkin

JOTGES 34:67 (Autumn 2021) p. 19

Different Meanings Of Salvation In Five New Testament Books

Robert N. Wilkin

Associate Editor

I. Introduction

Tremendous confusion results when one misinterprets the meaning of sōzō and sōtēria. It is not simply laypeople who wrongly assume that the words saved and salvation in the NT almost always refer to regeneration. Many scholars do as well. But there is good reason to believe that these words often refer to something other than regeneration and that in specific books the sense is both different and consistent. Knowing that opens up the understanding of these books.

Recently I wrote an article on three specific uses of sōzō in 1 Corinthians. I showed that it is highly likely that in those three uses (1 Cor 3:15; 5:5; 15:2), the salvation in view is being spiritually healthy, not being saved from eternal condemnation. In this article I will consider the uses of sōzō (“save”) and sotēria (“salvation”) in five NT books. It is my contention that in each of these books, the meaning of those words is consistent and does not refer to salvation from eternal condemnation there.

II. The Range Of Meaning For Sotēria And Sōzō In The NT

The words sōtēria and sōzō have a range of meanings in the NT, including:

• Regeneration/salvation from eternal condemnation (e.g., John 3:16–17; Eph 2:5, 8; Titus 3:5)
• Deliverance from impending death (Matt 8:25)
• Healing from illness (Jas 5:15)
• Being spiritually well (1 Cor 3:15; 5:5; 15:2)

JOTGES 34:67 (Autumn 2021) p. 20

• Handling trials in a God-honoring fashion (Phil 1:19; 2:12)
• Being chosen to be one of Christ’s partners in the life to come (Heb 1:14; 5:9)
• Deliverance from false teachers and their practices (1 Tim 4:16)
• Experiencing joy and contentment in the face of trying circumstances (
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