Greek word - (soteria G4991, soterion G4992, soterios G4990, sozo G4982)
Quiz - Choose the answer that is closest to what you think SALVATION is.
A - deliverance
B - safety
C - rescue
D - becoming a Christian
Problem - Outdated, Misused
KJV Example
"To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins." (Luke 1:77)
"For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:19)
Explanation
Salvation, save, and savior.
These three words are related. Salvation is the noun, save is the verb, and savior, also a noun, is a person who saves. For example, "He led the boy through the plan of salvation (noun), he was saved (verb), and the Savior (noun) is waiting."
The Greek nouns (soteria - the feminine form, soterion - the neuter form, and soterios - the masculine form) are consistently translated in the King James Version as salvation, savior, or save except for one that is translated as deliver (Acts 7:25) and one that is translated as health (Acts 27:34).
The Greek verb (sozo) is translated in the King James Version as save (94 times), be (made) whole (11 times), heal (3 times), preserve (once), and do well (once).
Remember the story of the woman with the issue of blood who touch Jesus' clothes and was made whole. The words, "made whole", is "saved" (sozo) in Greek. She touched His clothes, and she was saved. That is what it says in Greek. That exposes a problem, doesn't it?
Christians assume that salvation or being saved is about becoming a Christian. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. The Greek term has a more general meaning and in 1611 when the King James Version was written, the English word, salvation, also had a more general meaning: rescue.
Look at Philippians 1:19 in the King James Version. It says, "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation..." It seems to be referring to getting saved, doesn't it? It is not. This is Paul speaking. Paul was saved long before this. It is referring to him being rescued from an execution in Rome.
Christianity has restricted the meaning of salvation to only refer to becoming a Christian, but the Bible does not have this restriction. This has led to false doctrine and a wrong understanding of some Bible passages.
The word, save, is used properly in the secular world. What do lifeguards do? They "save" people from drowning. What do rescue workers do? They "save" people from life-threatening situations. What does donating blood do? It "saves" lives (according to the Red Cross' slogan).
This is how saved and salvation are used in the Bible, as rescue.
I would encourage you to look up everywhere the word, salvation, is used in the Bible and see how it is used. Try to make it mean becoming a Christian. You might be surprised.
Salvation and saved have one of four meanings in the New Testament: 1) becoming a Christian, 2) being rescued from a life-threatening situation (Luke 1:71; Philippians 1:19; Hebrews 11:7), 3) turning a life around from sin to God, thus rescuing it from the consequences of sin (Philippians 2:12), and 4) what happens after death when a person is rescued from hell (Romans 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:5; Revelation 12:10).
Salvation and saved in the Bible mean rescue.
God and Jesus are called Saviors. They are Rescuers. They don't just make people Christians. They also rescue people from life-threatening situations.
I have heard many stories of people who were in car wrecks or catastrophes and at the moment of trouble they cried, "God, help me!" and God miraculously rescued them. That is God. I believe that is what Romans 10:13 is referring to, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (rescued)." That is what God does. He is a Rescuer.
If you replace the word, save, and the word, salvation, in the Bible with rescue, it will give you a better idea of what it is saying.
In the Bible, salvation is rescue.
Modern Synonym - rescue
Bible Version Tally (how other versions translate this word) - Luke 1:77 - salvation (47 or 50), deliverance (1 or 50); Philippians 1:19 - salvation (11 of 50), deliverance (21 of 50)
Breakthrough Version
"to give the information about rescue to His ethnic group in forgiveness of their sins." (Luke 1:77)
"For I realize that this will come out to me for a rescue through your plea and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus, the Anointed King." (Philippians 1:19)