Lexical Summary sózó: To save, to rescue, to deliver, to heal, to preserve Original Word: σῴζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance heal, be made whole. From a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saos, "safe"); to save, i.e. Deliver or protect (literally or figuratively) -- heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole. HELPS Word-studies 4982 sṓzō (from sōs, "safe, rescued") – properly, deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety). [4982 (sṓzō) is the root of: 4990 /sōtḗr ("Savior"), 4991 /sōtēría ("salvation") and the adjectival form, 4992 /sōtḗrion (what is "saved/rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety").] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sós (safe, well) Definition to save NASB Translation bring...safely (1), cured (1), ensure salvation (1), get (1), get well (2), made...well (6), made well (5), preserved (1), recover (1), restore (1), save (36), saved (50), saves (1), saving (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4982: σῴζωσῴζω (others, σῴζω (cf. WH. Introductory § 410; Meisterhans, p. 87)); future σώσω; 1 aorist ἔσωσα; perfect σέσωκα; passive, present σώζομαι; imperfect ἐσωζομην; perfect 3 person singular (Acts 4:9) σέσωσται and (according to Tdf.) σέσωται (cf. Kühner, 1:912; (Photius, under the word; Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 99; Veitch, under the word)); 1 aorist ἐσώθην; 1 future σωθήσομαι; (σῶς 'safe and sound' (cf. Latinsanus; Curtius, § 570; Vanicek, p. 1038)); from Homer down; the Sept. very often for הושִׁיעַ , also for מִלֵּט, נִצֵּל, and הִצִּיל, sometimes for עָזַר; to save, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction (opposed to ἀπόλλυμι, which see); Vulg.salvumfacio (orfio),salvo (salvifico, libero, etc.); a. universally, τινα, one (from injury or peril); to save a suffering one (from perishing), e. g. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health: Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; Mark 10:52; Luke 7:50 (others understand this as including spiritual healing (see b. below)); Luke 8:48; Luke 17:19; Luke 18:42; James 5:15; passive, Matthew 9:21; Mark 5:23, 28; Mark 6:56; Luke 8:36, 50; John 11:12; Acts 4:9 (cf. Buttmann, § 144, 25); b. to save in the technical biblical sense; — negatively, to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment, Joel 2:32 ( Strong's Greek 4982 saturates the New Testament with the theme of divine deliverance. From urgent cries on Galilee’s storm-tossed waters (Matthew 8:25) to the cosmic promise that “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26), the verb gathers every facet of God’s rescuing purpose into one word. Of its 108 occurrences, none contradicts another; together they unfold one seamless testimony to the Lord who “came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Dimensions of Salvation 1. Physical Rescue Here σώζω meets tangible danger with immediate deliverance, showcasing God’s sovereignty over nature, illness, and calamity. 2. Bodily Healing Restoration of health foreshadows the wholeness God intends for those redeemed in Christ. 3. Social Restoration The healed demoniac “was delivered” (Luke 8:36) and then commissioned as a witness (Luke 8:39). σώζω not only mends bodies but reinstates persons into community and vocation. 4. Spiritual Regeneration The verb embraces the past act of new birth, the present life of faith, and the future inheritance. 5. Eschatological Deliverance The consummation of salvation awaits the Day when believers are “saved from wrath” (Romans 5:9). Christ-Centered Focus Every strand of meaning converges on Jesus Christ. Mockers at Calvary scorned, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself” (Matthew 27:42). Unwittingly they declared the gospel: by refusing self-rescue, He accomplished eternal rescue for “whoever believes in Him” (John 3:17). Faith as the Ordained Instrument Repeatedly σώζω is linked with πιστεύω and πίστις: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50). “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Faith is never meritorious; it is the God-given means whereby grace is received. Grace Precludes Human Boasting Passages such as Ephesians 2:8-9 and 2 Timothy 1:9 press the truth that salvation is “not of yourselves.” Even where human agency features—“by so doing I may save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22)—the apostle’s ministry is but the conduit of divine initiative. Holiness and Perseverance James warns that a futile faith “cannot save” (James 2:14). While justification is instantaneous, the verb’s future tenses remind believers that authentic faith perseveres (Mark 13:13) and bears fruit, yet this perseverance is itself upheld by the Savior who “is able to save to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25). Judgment Contexts John 12:47 records Jesus’ first-advent purpose “to save the world,” but the same context reveals inevitable judgment for unbelief (John 12:48). Acts 4:12 tightens the exclusivity: “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Corporate and Missional Implications Acts 2:47 depicts the Lord “adding to their number daily those who were being saved,” demonstrating that σώζω establishes the Church’s very existence. Consequently, every ministry—evangelistic, pastoral, or diaconal—finds its mandate in God’s saving agenda. Historical Reception Early Christian writers echoed the apostolic pattern, using σώζω to describe martyr deliverance into glory, baptismal symbolism (1 Peter 3:21), and the Church’s mission. Councils never questioned its scope: salvation is Trinitarian in source, Christological in accomplishment, Spirit-applied, and Scripture-normed. Pastoral Encouragement 1. Assurance: Because salvation rests on God’s covenant promise, believers may echo Paul, “He will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18). Conclusion Strong's 4982 threads through the New Testament as the melody of redemption: God delivers, heals, restores, and preserves all who trust in His Son. It is a verb of hope, calling the lost, assuring the rescued, and glorifying the One who “is Savior of all, and especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 1:21 V-FIA-3SGRK: αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν NAS: Jesus, for He will save His people KJV: for he shall save his people INT: he indeed will save the people Matthew 8:25 V-AMA-2S Matthew 9:21 V-FIP-1S Matthew 9:22 V-RIA-3S Matthew 9:22 V-AIP-3S Matthew 10:22 V-FIP-3S Matthew 14:30 V-AMA-2S Matthew 16:25 V-ANA Matthew 18:11 V-ANA Matthew 19:25 V-ANP Matthew 24:13 V-FIP-3S Matthew 24:22 V-AIP-3S Matthew 27:40 V-AMA-2S Matthew 27:42 V-AIA-3S Matthew 27:42 V-ANA Matthew 27:49 V-FPA-NMS Mark 3:4 V-ANA Mark 5:23 V-ASP-3S Mark 5:28 V-FIP-1S Mark 5:34 V-RIA-3S Mark 6:56 V-IIM/P-3P Mark 8:35 V-ANA Mark 8:35 V-FIA-3S Mark 10:26 V-ANP Mark 10:52 V-RIA-3S Strong's Greek 4982 |
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