4990. sótér

Lexicon

sótér: Savior, Deliverer

Original Word: σωτήρ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: sótér
Pronunciation: so-tayr'
Phonetic Spelling: (so-tare')
Definition: Savior, Deliverer
Meaning: a savior, deliverer, preserver.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Savior

From 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 Origin
from sózó
Definition
a savior, deliverer
NASB Translation
Savior (24).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4990: σωτήρ

σωτήρ, 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 , I.); (Cicero, in Verr. 2:2, 63Hoc quantum est? Ita magnum, ut Latine uno verbo exprimi non possit. Is est nimirum 'soter', qui salutem dedit. The name was given by the ancients to deities, especially tutelary deities, to princes, kings, and in general to men who had conferred signal benefits upon their country, and in the more degenerate days by way of flattery to personages of influence; see Passow (or Liddell and Scott), under the word; Paulus, Exgt. Hdbch. üb.

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 (); Psalm 26:1 (); Isaiah 12:2; Isaiah 17:10; Isaiah 45:15, 21; Micah 7:7, etc.); — to the Messiah, and Jesus as the Messiah, through whom God gives salvation: Luke 2:11; Acts 5:31; Acts 13:23; ὁ σωτήρ τοῦ κόσμου, John 4:42; 1 John 4:14; ἡμῶν, 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:4; Titus 2:13; Titus 3:6; σωτήρἸησοῦς Χριστός, 2 Peter 1:11 (2 Peter 1:1 (where Rec.bez elz inserts ἡμῶν)),11; ; ὁ κύριος καί σωτήρ, 2 Peter 3:2; σωτήρ τοῦ σώματος, universally (`the savior' i. e.) preserver of the body, i. e. of the church, Ephesians 5:23 (σωτήρ ὄντως ἁπάντων ἐστι καί γενέτωρ, of God the preserver of the world, Aristotle, de mundo,

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.))

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from σῴζω (sōzō), meaning "to save" or "to deliver."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H3467 יָשַׁע (yasha) • to save, deliver
• H3468 יֵשַׁע (yesha) • salvation, deliverance
• H3469 יָשִׁיעַ (yashi'a) • savior, deliverer

These Hebrew terms are often used in the Old Testament to describe God's saving acts and are foundational to the understanding of the concept of a savior, which is fully realized in the New Testament through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Usage: The term σωτήρ is used in the New Testament to refer to one who saves or delivers. It is most commonly applied to Jesus Christ, emphasizing His role as the Savior of humanity. The word is also used in a broader sense to describe God as the ultimate deliverer.

Context: The Greek word σωτήρ (sōtēr) is a significant theological term in the New Testament, encapsulating the essence of salvation and deliverance. It appears 24 times in the New Testament and is predominantly used to describe Jesus Christ, affirming His divine mission to save humanity from sin and eternal separation from God.

In the context of the New Testament, σωτήρ is often coupled with the title "Christ" or "Lord," underscoring the belief in Jesus as the anointed one sent by God for the redemption of mankind. For instance, in Luke 2:11, the angel announces to the shepherds, "Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord." This proclamation highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of a Messiah who would deliver His people.

The Apostle Paul frequently uses σωτήρ in his epistles to emphasize the salvific work of Jesus. In Titus 2:13, he writes, "while we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Here, Paul not only affirms the deity of Christ but also the anticipation of His second coming, which is central to Christian eschatology.

The term is also applied to God the Father, as seen in 1 Timothy 1:1, "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope." This usage reflects the understanding of God as the ultimate source of salvation, with Jesus as the means through which this salvation is accomplished.

Theologically, σωτήρ conveys the comprehensive nature of salvation, which includes deliverance from sin, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life. It is a term that encapsulates the hope and assurance found in the Christian faith, pointing to the transformative power of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

Forms and Transliterations

σωτηρ σωτήρ σωτὴρ σωτηρα σωτήρα σωτήρά σωτῆρα σωτηρι σωτηρί σωτήρι σωτήρί σωτῆρι σωτῆρί σωτηρος σωτήρος σωτῆρος σώτηρος soter sotḕr sōtēr sōtḕr sotera sotêra sōtēra sōtē̂ra soteri sotêri sotêrí sōtēri sōtē̂ri sōtē̂rí soteros sotêros sōtēros sōtē̂ros

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 1:47 N-DMS
GRK: 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
GRK: ὑμῖν σήμερον σωτὴρ ὅς ἐστιν
NAS: there has been born for you a Savior, who
KJV: the city of David a Saviour, which is
INT: to you today a Savior who is

John 4:42 N-NMS
GRK: ἀληθῶς ὁ σωτὴρ τοῦ κόσμου
NAS: is indeed the Savior of the world.
KJV: the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
INT: truly the Savior of the world

Acts 5:31 N-AMS
GRK: ἀρχηγὸν καὶ σωτῆρα ὕψωσεν τῇ
NAS: as a Prince and a Savior, to grant
KJV: and a Saviour, for to give
INT: Prince and Savior exalted by the

Acts 13:23 N-AMS
GRK: τῷ Ἰσραὴλ σωτῆρα Ἰησοῦν
NAS: has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,
KJV: raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
INT: to Israel a Savior Jesus

Ephesians 5:23 N-NMS
GRK: ἐκκλησίας αὐτὸς σωτὴρ τοῦ σώματος
NAS: He Himself [being] the Savior of the body.
KJV: he is the saviour of the body.
INT: church he Savior of the body

Philippians 3:20 N-AMS
GRK: οὗ καὶ σωτῆρα ἀπεκδεχόμεθα κύριον
NAS: we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord
KJV: we look for the Saviour, the Lord
INT: which also [as] Savior we are awaiting [the] Lord

1 Timothy 1:1 N-GMS
GRK: ἐπιταγὴν θεοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν καὶ
NAS: of God our Savior, and of Christ
KJV: of God our Saviour, and Lord
INT: [the] command of God [the] Savior of us and

1 Timothy 2:3 N-GMS
GRK: ἐνώπιον τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ
NAS: in the sight of God our Savior,
KJV: of God our Saviour;
INT: before the Savior of us God

1 Timothy 4:10 N-NMS
GRK: ὅς ἐστιν σωτὴρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων
NAS: God, who is the Savior of all men,
KJV: who is the Saviour of all men,
INT: who is Savior of all men

2 Timothy 1:10 N-GMS
GRK: ἐπιφανείας τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Χριστοῦ
NAS: by the appearing of our Savior Christ
KJV: of our Saviour Jesus
INT: appearing of the Savior of us Christ

Titus 1:3 N-GMS
GRK: ἐπιταγὴν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ
NAS: to the commandment of God our Savior,
KJV: of God our Saviour;
INT: [the] commandment of the Savior of us God

Titus 1:4 N-GMS
GRK: Ἰησοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν
NAS: and Christ Jesus our Savior.
KJV: Christ our Saviour.
INT: Jesus the Savior of us

Titus 2:10 N-GMS
GRK: τὴν τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ
NAS: of God our Savior in every respect.
KJV: of God our Saviour in all things.
INT: of the Savior of us God

Titus 2:13 N-GMS
GRK: θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Χριστοῦ
NAS: God and Savior, Christ
KJV: and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
INT: God and Savior of us Christ

Titus 3:4 N-GMS
GRK: ἐπεφάνη τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν θεοῦ
NAS: of God our Savior and [His] love for mankind
KJV: our Saviour toward man
INT: appeared of the Savior of us God

Titus 3:6 N-GMS
GRK: Χριστοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν
NAS: Jesus Christ our Savior,
KJV: Christ our Saviour;
INT: Christ the Savior of us

2 Peter 1:1 N-GMS
GRK: ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
NAS: of our God and Savior, Jesus
KJV: and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
INT: of us and Savior Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:11 N-GMS
GRK: ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
NAS: of our Lord and Savior Jesus
KJV: Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
INT: of us and Savior Jesus Christ

2 Peter 2:20 N-GMS
GRK: ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
NAS: of the Lord and Savior Jesus
KJV: of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
INT: of us and Savior Jesus Christ

2 Peter 3:2 N-GMS
GRK: κυρίου καὶ σωτῆρος
NAS: of the Lord and Savior [spoken] by your apostles.
KJV: of the Lord and Saviour:
INT: Lord and Savior

2 Peter 3:18 N-GMS
GRK: ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
NAS: of our Lord and Savior Jesus
KJV: Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
INT: of us and Savior Jesus Christ

1 John 4:14 N-AMS
GRK: τὸν υἱὸν σωτῆρα τοῦ κόσμου
NAS: the Son [to be] the Savior of the world.
KJV: the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.
INT: the Son [as] Savior of the world

Jude 1:25 N-DMS
GRK: μόνῳ θεῷ σωτῆρι ἡμῶν διὰ
NAS: God our Savior, through
KJV: God our Saviour, [be] glory and
INT: to [the] only God Savior of us through

Strong's Greek 4990
24 Occurrences

σωτὴρ — 4 Occ.
σωτῆρα — 4 Occ.
σωτῆρί — 2 Occ.
σωτῆρος — 14 Occ.