Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 35:68 (Spring 2022)
Article: Different Meanings Of Salvation In Five New Testament Books: Part 2
Author: Robert N. Wilkin

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Different Meanings Of Salvation In Five New Testament Books: Part 2

Robert Wilkin

Associate Editor
Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society

I. Introduction

In part 1, we considered the use of sōtēria and sōzō in Philippians, James, and Romans. In the second and final installment, we will consider the uses of sōtēria in the Thessalonian Epistles and in Hebrews.

II. Three Uses Of Sōtēria In 1–2 Thessalonians: Deliverance From The Tribulation Via The Rapture

Paul’s two letters to the believers in Thessalonica give more details about the Rapture than any other books in the NT. It should not be surprising, therefore, that the three uses of sōtēria in the Thessalonian epistles all refer to escaping the Tribulation wrath via the Rapture.

1 Thessalonians 5:8. Paul’s first use of sōtēria is in the section of 1 Thessalonians that deals extensively with the Rapture (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). In 1 Thess 5:8, Paul writes, “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” Believers are “of the day” in our position. Paul is urging believers to live in keeping with their position. He uses his famous triad of faith, hope, and love.

In what sense is “the hope of salvation” a helmet? In the context of 1 Thess 4:13–5:11, the soon anticipated deliverance/salvation is the Rapture (cf. 4:16–18; 5:3–4). Believers already have everlasting life as

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a present possession (John 5:24). We are eagerly awaiting the Rapture and the return of Christ. As Constable notes,

The salvation they look forward to is deliverance from the wrath to come when the Lord returns, as is clear from the context. It is not a wishful longing that someday they might be saved eternally. Such a thought is entirely foreign to the New Testament. Followers of Christ have a sure hope; they are not as others who have no hope.1

Green takes the same view:

The hope they enjoyed is specifically linked with their future salvation (cf. Matt. 10:22; 24:13; You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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