Lexical Summary sótér: Savior, Deliverer Original Word: σωτήρ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance SaviorFrom sozo; a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ -- saviour. see GREEK sozo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4990 sōtḗr (a masculine noun, derived from 4982 /sṓzō, "save") – properly, the Savior, Jesus Christ who saves believers from their sins and delivers them into His safety. See 4982 (sōzō). [4990 /sōtḗr ("Savior") is the root of the theological term, sotierology ("the study of salvation through Christ"). This term is also spelled "soteriology," but with the same meaning.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sózó Definition a savior, deliverer NASB Translation Savior (24). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4990: σωτήρσωτήρ, σωτῆρος, ὁ (σῴζω), from Pindar and Aeschylus down, the Sept. for יֶשַׁע , יְשׁוּעָה (מושִׁיעַ ), savior, deliverer; preserver; (Vulg. (except Luke 1:47 (where salutaris)) salvator, Luth. Heiland) (cf. B. D., under the word d. drei erst. Evang. i., p. 103f; (Wetstein on Luke 2:11; B. D. as above)). In the N. T. the word is applied to God — Σωτήρ μου, he who signally exalts me, Luke 1:47; ὁ σωτήρ ἡμῶν, the author of our salvation through Jesus Christ (on the Christian conception of 'to save', see σῴζω, b. (and on the use of σωτήρ cf. Westcott on 1 John 4:14)), 1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Timothy 2:3; Titus 1:3; Titus 2:10; Titus 3:4; with διά Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ added, Jude 1:25 (Rec. omits διά Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ); σωτήρ πάντων, 1 Timothy 4:10 (cf. Psalm 23:5 c. 6, p. 397{b}, 20); σωτήρ is used of Christ as the giver of future salvation, on his return from heaven, Philippians 3:20. ("The title is confined (with the exception of the writings of St Luke) to the later writings of the N. T." (Westcott as above.)) The Greek noun σωτήρ (Strong’s 4990) is translated “Savior” and is reserved almost exclusively in the New Testament for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Across twenty-four occurrences it gathers up the whole biblical account of redemption, identifying its source, its agent, its scope, and its consummation. Old Testament Background In the Septuagint, σωτήρ renders Hebrew titles such as מוֹשִׁיעַ (mōshiaʿ), applied to the LORD (for example Isaiah 43:11) and to divinely empowered human deliverers (Judges 3:9). By adopting the same term, New Testament writers proclaim continuity with Israel’s hope while asserting that the promised deliverance has arrived in Jesus of Nazareth. Foundational New Testament Witness Luke’s infancy narrative introduces the title with angelic proclamation: “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Mary herself rejoices, “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47). From the outset, therefore, Savior belongs both to God and to the incarnate Son, establishing the functional equality of Father and Son in the work of salvation. Universal Scope of Salvation John’s Gospel records the Samaritan confession, “We know that this is truly the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). The phrase “of the world” breaks ethnic boundaries and anticipates the Gentile mission in Acts, where Peter announces that God has exalted Jesus “as Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). Paul echoes the same universal intent in 1 Timothy 4:10: “We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.” Christ and the Church Ephesians 5:23 links the redemptive title to ecclesiology: “Christ is the head of the church, His body, and He is Himself its Savior.” Salvation, therefore, is not merely individual; it creates and nourishes a redeemed community that submits to and reflects its Savior. Pastoral Epistles: God Our Savior 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus concentrate twelve occurrences of the word. Paul repeatedly pairs “God our Savior” with “Christ Jesus our Savior” (for example Titus 1:3-4), affirming the deity of Christ and the unity of divine purpose. Titus 2:13 climaxes the theme, awaiting “the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” The title thus anchors both present grace and future glory. Eschatological Consummation Philippians 3:20 looks ahead: “From heaven we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Peter likewise places the hope within an eschatological frame: the entrance into “the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11) and the call to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Salvation begun at the cross will be completed at Christ’s return, securing resurrection and final transformation. Ethical and Missional Implications Because God is Savior, believers are summoned to proclaim and adorn the gospel. Titus 2:10 urges that servants live so “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every way,” while Jude 1:25 concludes with doxology: “To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” The identity of God as Savior demands both proclamation and worship. Early Christian Confession and Hymnody The density of occurrences in liturgical and doxological contexts (Jude 1:25; 1 Timothy 1:17 immediately follows 1:1) shows that “Savior” quickly became a fixed element in Christian confession and song, shaping the church’s self-understanding and public witness. Summary of Theological Significance 1. Divine Initiative: Salvation originates in God’s sovereign grace. Ministry Application Preaching: Proclaim the exclusivity and sufficiency of Jesus as Savior (Acts 13:23). Counseling: Offer assurance grounded in the unchanging character of God our Savior (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Missions: Engage every people group, confident that the Savior is for the world (John 4:42). Worship: Center gatherings on doxology to “our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Thus, Strong’s 4990 carries the full weight of the gospel: a personal Redeemer who acts decisively in history, transforms lives in the present, and will consummate His saving purpose at His glorious appearing. Englishman's Concordance Luke 1:47 N-DMSGRK: θεῷ τῷ σωτῆρί μου NAS: has rejoiced in God my Savior. KJV: God my Saviour. INT: God the Savior of me Luke 2:11 N-NMS John 4:42 N-NMS Acts 5:31 N-AMS Acts 13:23 N-AMS Ephesians 5:23 N-NMS Philippians 3:20 N-AMS 1 Timothy 1:1 N-GMS 1 Timothy 2:3 N-GMS 1 Timothy 4:10 N-NMS 2 Timothy 1:10 N-GMS Titus 1:3 N-GMS Titus 1:4 N-GMS Titus 2:10 N-GMS Titus 2:13 N-GMS Titus 3:4 N-GMS Titus 3:6 N-GMS 2 Peter 1:1 N-GMS 2 Peter 1:11 N-GMS 2 Peter 2:20 N-GMS 2 Peter 3:2 N-GMS 2 Peter 3:18 N-GMS 1 John 4:14 N-AMS Jude 1:25 N-DMS Strong's Greek 4990 |
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