Savior

The Greek word is “sōtēr” (#4990); which means “a savior, deliverer, preserver.” It is used:

1) Of God:

a) As the Preserver of all men, since He gave to all: life, breath, and all things:

b) As “God our Saviour” (Luke 1:47; 1 Timothy 1:1, 2:3; Titus 1:3; 2:10; 3:4; Jude 25). Also see 1 Timothy 4:10:

“For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

2) Of Christ:

a) The Savior of Israel – see Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31; 13:23

b) The Sustainer and Preserver of the Church, His Body – see Ephesians 5:23

c) At His Return to receive the Church to Himself – see Philippians 3:20

d) With reference to His Incarnation – see 2 Timothy 1:10

e) A title shared with God the Father

i) When the word “our” is at the beginning of the whole clause, it includes all the titles. (See R.V. and K.J.V. – Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:6; 2 Peter 1:1.)

ii) These verses are a testimony of Christ’s Deity: 2 Peter 2:20; 3:2, 18. (See Vine’s Expository Dictionary for more.)

iii) This proves that the Father and the Son are One: One God, not Two Gods. That is, God is the Preserver of all men. He is the Creator, Controller, and Consummator. He gives life and takes life. (See Genesis 2:7; Job 14:5; Ecclesiastes 3.)

3) The Greek word “sōtēr,” or Savior, has to do with being a Preserver of Life (physical life); not directed to sin primarily, but to preserving physical life.

Salvation

The Greek word is “sōtēria” (#4991); which denotes “deliverance, preservation, salvation.” It is used in the New Testament in many applications:

1) Of material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension:

a) National (Luke 1:69, 71; Acts 7:25); and

b) Personal, as from the sea (Acts 27:34), from prison (Philippians 1:19), from the flood (Hebrews 11:7).

2) Of a Position of Justification; Redeemed, Reconciled, God being satisfied (Isaiah 53:10-11). (See Luke 1:69; 19:9; 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 5:9.)

3) Of an understanding of the Born of God of their Position in Christ, a Position of Justification (Romans 5:1-2). This position is based on Christ’s Atonement on the Cross for their sin debt (Acts 4:12; Romans 3:24-25). This understanding comes in Regeneration, or the New Birth process.

4) Of the understanding of the Born of God that they would be delivered from His Judgment (or Wrath) at His Second Coming (His Parousia). (See Romans 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-12; 2:13; Hebrews 1:14; 9:28; 1 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 3:15.)

5) Of a time when, at His Second Coming, the Church would see, “…the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9). This is explained in 1 Peter 1:11, 13, “…the glory that should follow… the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

See John 17:21-26 for an explanation of the “glory” and of the “grace” spoken of in 1 Peter 1:11, 13. Jesus defined “glory” as a Position of Oneness; which includes the following:

a) A Position of Knowledge

i) One of Perfection

ii) One of Preeminence

b) A Position of Love

i) One of Performance in this life

6) In Luke 19:9, “salvation” stood for Jesus Himself, “…This day is salvation come to this house…”

7) In Revelation 7:10, “Salvation” is the ascription of praise to God of that which is His prerogative to bestow:

“And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:10)