Salvation
Category
Salvation & Redemption
Biblical Definition
God's comprehensive act of rescuing sinners from sin, judgment, and death and bringing them into restored life, peace, and fellowship with Himself.
Origin(s)
Hebrew: יְשׁוּעָה; Greek: σωτηρία
Transliteration
yĕšûʿâ; sōtēria
Literal meaning
salvation, deliverance, rescue; salvation, preservation
Key Scripture(s)
Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 12:2-3; Isaiah 52:7; Luke 2:30; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:8-9
Theological Significance
Salvation gathers the Bible's redemptive hope into one sweeping reality: God Himself acts to save. Isaiah especially stretches the theme beyond political rescue to the promised saving work of the Lord that reaches its fullness in Christ.
Common Misunderstanding(s)
Salvation is not self-improvement, moral uplift, or escape from difficult feelings. In Scripture it is God's gracious rescue from real guilt and real judgment.
Practical Application
This word fuels worship, humility, and confidence because salvation begins with God and is secured by His saving action.