4991. sótéria
Lexical Summary
sótéria: Salvation

Original Word: σωτηρία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: sótéria
Pronunciation: so-tay-REE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (so-tay-ree'-ah)
KJV: deliver, health, salvation, save, saving
NASB: salvation, deliverance, preservation
Word Origin: [feminine of a derivative of G4990 (σωτήρ - Savior) as (properly, abstract) noun]

1. rescue or safety (physically or morally)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
deliver, save

Feminine of a derivative of soter as (properly, abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally) -- deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

see GREEK soter

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 4991 sōtēría (from 4982 /sṓzō, "to save, rescue") – salvation, i.e. God's rescue which delivers believers out of destruction and into His safety. See 4982 (sōzō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from sótér
Definition
deliverance, salvation
NASB Translation
deliverance (2), preservation (1), salvation (42).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4991: σωτηρία

σωτηρία, σωτηρίας, (σωτήρ), deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation: deliverance from the molestation of enemies, Acts 7:25; with ἐξ ἐχθρῶν added, Luke 1:71; preservation (of physical life), safety, Acts 27:34; Hebrews 11:7. in an ethical sense, that which conduces to the soul's safety or salvation: σωτηρία τίνι ἐγένετο, Luke 19:9; ἡγεῖσθαι τί σωτηρίαν, 2 Peter 3:15; in the technical biblical sense, the Messianic salvation (see σῴζω, b.), a. universally, John 4:22; Acts 4:12; Acts 13:47; Romans 11:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 6:9; Jude 1:3; opposed to ἀπώλεια, Philippians 1:28; αἰώνιος σωτηρία, Hebrews 5:9 (for עולָמִים תְּשׁוּעַת, Isaiah 45:17); (add, Mark 16 WH in the (rejected) 'Shorter Conclusion'); λόγος τῆς σωτηρίας ταύτης, instruction concerning that salvation which John the Baptist foretold (cf. Winer's Grammar, 237 (223)), Acts 13:26; τό εὐαγγέλιον τῆς σωτηρίας ὑμῶν, Ephesians 1:13; ὁδός σωτερριας, Acts 16:17; κέρας σωτηρίας (see κέρας, b.), Luke 1:69; ἡμέρα σωτηρίας, the time in which the offer of salvation is made, 2 Corinthians 6:2 (from Isaiah 49:8); κατεργάζεσθαι τήν ἑαυτοῦ σωτηρίαν, Philippians 2:12; κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν, Hebrews 1:14; ( ἀρχηγός τῆς σωτηρίας, Hebrews 2:10); εἴα σωτηρίαν, unto (the attainment of) salvation, Rom. (); 10:(),; 1 Peter 2:2 (Rec. omits).

b. salvation as the present possession of all true Christians (see σῴζω, b.): 2 Corinthians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Philippians 1:19; σωτηρία ἐν ἀφέσει ἁμαρτιῶν, Luke 1:77; σωτηρίας τυχεῖν μετά δόξης αἰωνίου, 2 Timothy 2:10.

c. future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God: Romans 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 1:5, 10; Revelation 12:10; ἐλπίς σωτηρίας, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; κομίζεσθαι σωτηρίαν ψυχῶν, 1 Peter 1:9; σωτηρία τῷ Θεῷ ἐμῶν (dative of the possessor, namely, ἐστιν (cf. Buttmann, § 129, 22); cf. הַיִשׁוּעָה לַיְהוָה, Psalm 3:9), the salvation which is bestowed on us belongs to God, Revelation 7:10; σωτηρία ... τοῦ Θεοῦ (genitive of the possessor (cf. Buttmann, § 132, 11, 1:a.), for Rec. τῷ Θεῷ) ἡμῶν namely, ἐστιν, Revelation 19:1. (Tragg. (Herodotus), Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, others. The Sept. for יֶשַׁע , יְשׁוּעָה, תְּשׁוּעָה, פְּלֵיטָה, escape.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview of the Biblical Theme

The Greek noun σωτηρία occurs forty-six times in the New Testament and gathers up the whole biblical account of God’s deliverance. Whether the context is physical rescue, covenantal preservation, or eternal redemption, the word announces that God alone saves and that His salvation reaches its climax in Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Roots and First-Century Expectation

When the Septuagint translated Hebrew terms such as יְשׁוּעָה (yeshuah) and תֵּשׁוּעָה (teshuah) with σωτηρία, it tied the New Testament idea to historic acts like the Exodus (Exodus 15:2) and the new-exodus hope of Isaiah (Isaiah 52:7). By the first century, faithful Jews longed for national liberation and personal forgiveness. Simeon held the newborn Jesus and spoke of God’s “salvation which You have prepared in the sight of all people” (Luke 2:30-31). The Gospel writers draw straight lines from those prophecies to Christ.

Salvation Accomplished in Christ

1. Exclusive foundation

Peter declares, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The cross and resurrection are not one option among many; they are God’s definitive act.

2. Objective historic act

Hebrews 9:28 locates salvation in a once-for-all offering: “so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for Him.”

3. Present application

Paul writes, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). The saving event becomes saving experience through Spirit-wrought faith.

Three Tenses of Salvation

• Past—Justification: “By grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).
• Present—Sanctification: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:12-13).
• Future—Glorification: “Now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).

These aspects are inseparable; the believer who has been justified is being sanctified and will be glorified.

Personal Reception and the Role of Faith

Romans 10:10 joins heart belief with mouth confession “resulting in salvation.” 2 Timothy 3:15 calls Scripture “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Faith is never mere assent; it is reliance on the Person and work of the Savior.

Corporate and Missional Dimensions

God’s purpose is global: “I have made you a light for the nations to bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47). The church, therefore, proclaims and embodies this message. Paul endured hardship “for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:10).

Assurance and Security

Believers are “shielded by God’s power through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). While warnings such as Hebrews 2:3 (“how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”) call for vigilance, the overall thrust is confidence grounded in God’s faithfulness (Hebrews 6:9).

Ethical Fruit

Salvation is never licensed for sin. Titus 2:11-14 (using the cognate adjective) shows that the grace that saves also trains. 2 Corinthians 7:10 contrasts godly sorrow “leading to salvation” with worldly remorse.

Worship and Eschatological Triumph

Heaven’s liturgy centers on the word: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10). The same shout resounds at the fall of Babylon (Revelation 19:1). What is inaugurated at the cross will be publicly vindicated when “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God” (Revelation 12:10).

Common Distortions Addressed

• Works-based religion annuls grace (Romans 11:6).
• Universalism disregards the necessity of personal faith (John 4:22).
• Mere temporal deliverance ignores eternal realities (Luke 19:9).

Ministerial Implications

1. Evangelism: The message is centered, urgent, and certain (2 Corinthians 6:2).
2. Discipleship: Believers grow into the “full experience of salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).
3. Pastoral care: Assurance strengthens against fear (Philippians 1:28).
4. Worship: Praise rehearses God’s mighty acts (Luke 1:69-77).
5. Mission: The church is mandated to bear Christ’s saving name to the nations (Acts 16:17).

Summary

σωτηρία gathers up God’s redemptive work from promise to fulfilment, from personal justification to cosmic renewal. Rooted in the Father’s purpose, achieved by the Son’s sacrifice, and applied by the Spirit’s power, salvation is the central melody of Scripture and the heartbeat of Christian life and ministry.

Forms and Transliterations
σωτηρια σωτηρία σωτηριαν σωτηρίαν σωτήριαν σωτηριας σωτηρίας σωτήριον σωτηρίου σωτηρίων soteria sotería sōtēria sōtēría soterian soterían sōtērian sōtērían soterias soterías sōtērias sōtērías
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Mark 16:20 N-GFS
GRK: τῆς αἰωνίου σωτηρίας ἀμήν
INT: of eternal salvation Amen

Luke 1:69 N-GFS
GRK: ἤγειρεν κέρας σωτηρίας ἡμῖν ἐν
NAS: up a horn of salvation for us In the house
KJV: an horn of salvation for us
INT: raised up a horn of salvation for us in

Luke 1:71 N-AFS
GRK: σωτηρίαν ἐξ ἐχθρῶν
NAS: Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES,
KJV: That we should be saved from our
INT: salvation from enemies

Luke 1:77 N-GFS
GRK: δοῦναι γνῶσιν σωτηρίας τῷ λαῷ
NAS: [the] knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness
KJV: knowledge of salvation unto his
INT: to give knowledge of salvation to people

Luke 19:9 N-NFS
GRK: ὅτι Σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ
NAS: to him, Today salvation has come
KJV: This day is salvation come to this
INT: today salvation to the house

John 4:22 N-NFS
GRK: ὅτι ἡ σωτηρία ἐκ τῶν
NAS: we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
KJV: worship: for salvation is of
INT: for salvation of the

Acts 4:12 N-NFS
GRK: οὐδενὶ ἡ σωτηρία οὐδὲ γὰρ
NAS: And there is salvation in no one
KJV: Neither is there salvation in any
INT: no one the salvation not indeed

Acts 7:25 N-AFS
GRK: αὐτοῦ δίδωσιν σωτηρίαν αὐτοῖς οἱ
NAS: was granting them deliverance through
INT: of him is giving salvation them

Acts 13:26 N-GFS
GRK: λόγος τῆς σωτηρίας ταύτης ἐξαπεστάλη
NAS: of this salvation has been sent.
KJV: the word of this salvation sent.
INT: message of the salvation this was sent

Acts 13:47 N-AFS
GRK: σε εἰς σωτηρίαν ἕως ἐσχάτου
NAS: THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END
KJV: for salvation unto
INT: you for salvation to [the] uttermost part

Acts 16:17 N-GFS
GRK: ὑμῖν ὁδὸν σωτηρίας
NAS: to you the way of salvation.
KJV: unto us the way of salvation.
INT: to you [the] way of salvation

Acts 27:34 N-GFS
GRK: τῆς ὑμετέρας σωτηρίας ὑπάρχει οὐδενὸς
NAS: for this is for your preservation, for not a hair
KJV: for your health: for there shall
INT: of you preservation is of not one

Romans 1:16 N-AFS
GRK: ἐστὶν εἰς σωτηρίαν παντὶ τῷ
NAS: of God for salvation to everyone
KJV: unto salvation to every one
INT: it is unto salvation to every one that

Romans 10:1 N-AFS
GRK: αὐτῶν εἰς σωτηρίαν
NAS: to God for them is for [their] salvation.
KJV: is, that they might be saved.
INT: them [is] for salvation

Romans 10:10 N-AFS
GRK: ὁμολογεῖται εἰς σωτηρίαν
NAS: he confesses, resulting in salvation.
KJV: confession is made unto salvation.
INT: is confession to salvation

Romans 11:11 N-NFS
GRK: παραπτώματι ἡ σωτηρία τοῖς ἔθνεσιν
NAS: be! But by their transgression salvation [has come] to the Gentiles,
KJV: fall salvation [is come] unto the Gentiles,
INT: offense salvation [is] to the Gentiles

Romans 13:11 N-NFS
GRK: ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε
NAS: for now salvation is nearer
KJV: now [is] our salvation nearer than
INT: [is] of us the salvation than when first

2 Corinthians 1:6 N-GFS
GRK: παρακλήσεως καὶ σωτηρίας εἴτε παρακαλούμεθα
NAS: it is for your comfort and salvation; or if
KJV: and salvation, which
INT: comfort and salvation whether we are encouraged

2 Corinthians 6:2 N-GFS
GRK: ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησά σοι
NAS: TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED
KJV: the day of salvation have I succoured
INT: in a day of salvation I helped you

2 Corinthians 6:2 N-GFS
GRK: νῦν ἡμέρα σωτηρίας
NAS: now is THE DAY OF SALVATION--
KJV: now [is] the day of salvation.)
INT: now [the] day of salvation

2 Corinthians 7:10 N-AFS
GRK: μετάνοιαν εἰς σωτηρίαν ἀμεταμέλητον ἐργάζεται
NAS: without regret, [leading] to salvation, but the sorrow
KJV: to salvation not to be repented of:
INT: repentance to salvation without regret produces

Ephesians 1:13 N-GFS
GRK: εὐαγγέλιον τῆς σωτηρίας ὑμῶν ἐν
NAS: the gospel of your salvation-- having also
KJV: the gospel of your salvation: in whom
INT: gospel of the salvation of you in

Philippians 1:19 N-AFS
GRK: ἀποβήσεται εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ τῆς
NAS: will turn out for my deliverance through
KJV: to my salvation through your
INT: will turn out to salvation through

Philippians 1:28 N-GFS
GRK: ὑμῶν δὲ σωτηρίας καὶ τοῦτο
NAS: of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that [too], from God.
KJV: but to you of salvation, and that
INT: to you however of salvation and this

Philippians 2:12 N-AFS
GRK: τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν κατεργάζεσθε
NAS: work out your salvation with fear
KJV: work out your own salvation with fear
INT: your own salvation work out

Strong's Greek 4991
46 Occurrences


σωτηρία — 8 Occ.
σωτηρίαν — 18 Occ.
σωτηρίας — 20 Occ.

4990
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