OliveGrove
Pressing the Word of God for Deeper Understanding.
Greek · G4982 · unreviewed

σώζω

To save

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

σώζω G4982
Pronunciation sṓzō

What does σώζω (sṓzō) mean in the Bible?

σώζω (sṓzō) is a Greek word meaning "to save". σώζω (on the more accurate σῴζω, see WH, Intr. The verb emphasizes divine initiative; God acts decisively to rescue sinners. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant, Faith, Holiness.

Full entry for σώζω (G4982) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to save
Extended definition

Salvation encompasses past redemption, present grace, and future glory—three temporal dimensions of deliverance.

to save from peril, injury or suffering: Mat.8:25, Mrk.13:20, Luk.23:35, al.; τ. ψυχήν, Mat.16:25, al.; before ἐκ, Jhn.12:27, Heb.5:7, Ju 5; of healing, restoring to health: Mat.9:22, Mrk.5:34, al. In NT, esp. of salvation from spiritual disease and death, in which sense it is "spoken of in Scripture as either (1) past, (2) present, or (3) future, according as redemption, grace, or glory is the point in view. Thus (1) Rom.8:24, Eph.2:5, 8 2Ti.1:9, Tit.3:5; (2) Act.2:47, 1Co.1:18, 15:2, 2Co.2:15; (3) Mat.10:22, Rom.13:11, Php.2:12, Heb.9:28" (Vau. on Rom.5:9). Seq. ἀπό, Mat.1:21, Act.2:40, Rom.5:9; ἐκ, Jas.5:20, Ju 23 (cf. Cremer, 532ff.).

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
Why This Word Matters
The verb emphasizes divine initiative; God acts decisively to rescue sinners. 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Defines the explicit redemptive mission of Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:8-15
Links physical restoration to deeper salvation in Christ. 2 Timothy 1:8-12
Connects physical healing with deeper salvation. Acts 15:1-5
Links healing with salvation theme. Acts 16:25-34
Indicates salvation beyond physical healing. Acts 27:27-38
Declares completed salvation through faith. Luke 17:11–19
Introduces soteriological dimension to Sabbath discussion. Luke 18:35–43
Expresses completed salvation with ongoing result.
Indicates completed salvation with enduring result.
Defines the core issue under debate: how one is saved.
Defines the jailer’s urgent spiritual need.
Refers to physical preservation within God’s promise.
The term highlights God’s decisive act of rescue that grounds Christian identity and ministry.
This verb defines Christ’s mission; salvation is central to His incarnation and ministry.
Salvation is not earned through a role but evidenced in continued faith, love, and holiness.
Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 102 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect
completed 9 ongoing 3 prospective 30 resultant 8 imperative 10 background 1 subjunctive 10 infinitive 24 participle 7
Tense
aorist 51 future 31 present 11 perfect 8 imperfect 1
Voice
passive 53 active 49
Mood
indicative 51 infinitive 24 subjunctive 10 imperative 10 participle 7
NT Occurrences
Matthew 1:21 σώσει future active indicative prospective Matthew 8:25 σῶσον aorist active imperative imperative Matthew 9:21 σωθήσομαι future passive indicative prospective Matthew 9:22 σέσωκέν perfect active indicative resultant Matthew 9:22 ἐσώθη aorist passive indicative completed Matthew 10:22 σωθήσεται future passive indicative prospective Matthew 14:30 σῶσόν aorist active imperative imperative Matthew 16:25 σῶσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Matthew 19:25 σωθῆναι aorist passive infinitive infinitive Matthew 24:13 σωθήσεται future passive indicative prospective Matthew 24:22 ἐσώθη aorist passive indicative completed Matthew 27:40 σῶσον aorist active imperative imperative Matthew 27:42 ἔσωσεν aorist active indicative completed Matthew 27:42 σῶσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Matthew 27:49 σώσων future active participle participle Mark 3:4 σῶσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Mark 5:23 σωθῇ aorist passive subjunctive subjunctive Mark 5:28 σωθήσομαι future passive indicative prospective Mark 5:34 σέσωκέν perfect active indicative resultant Mark 6:56 ἐσῴζοντο imperfect passive indicative background Mark 8:35 σῶσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Mark 8:35 σώσει future active indicative prospective Mark 10:26 σωθῆναι aorist passive infinitive infinitive Mark 10:52 σέσωκέν perfect active indicative resultant Mark 13:13 σωθήσεται future passive indicative prospective Mark 13:20 ἐσώθη aorist passive indicative completed Mark 15:30 σῶσον aorist active imperative imperative Mark 15:31 ἔσωσεν aorist active indicative completed Mark 15:31 σῶσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Mark 16:16 σωθήσεται future passive indicative prospective Luke 6:9 σῶσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Luke 7:50 σέσωκέν perfect active indicative resultant Luke 8:12 σωθῶσιν aorist passive subjunctive subjunctive Luke 8:36 ἐσώθη aorist passive indicative completed Luke 8:48 σέσωκέν perfect active indicative resultant Luke 8:50 σωθήσεται future passive indicative prospective Luke 9:24 σῶσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Luke 9:24 σώσει future active indicative prospective Luke 13:23 σῳζόμενοι present passive participle participle Luke 17:19 σέσωκέν perfect active indicative resultant +62 more occurrences

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Canonical Themes
Covenant Faith Holiness Messiah Redemption
Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses
1 Timothy 1:12-17 save sṓzō
To rescue from danger, sin, and judgment and bring into eternal life.
1 Timothy 2:8-15 saved sṓzō
To be delivered or preserved, here linked with perseverance in faith and holiness.
2 Timothy 1:8-12 Saved sṓzō
to rescue, deliver, or bring into safety and salvation
Acts 15:1-5 Saved sṓzō
To be delivered or rescued.
Acts 16:25-34 Saved sṓzō
To be rescued or delivered.
Acts 27:27-38 Saved sṓzō
To be rescued or delivered.
Luke 17:11–19 σέσωκέν sṓzō
has saved
Luke 18:35–43 σέσωκέν sṓzō
has saved
Appears In

Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.

σώζω · παντελής G4982, G3838
to save completely; save to the uttermost
σώζω · τεκνογονία G4982, G5042
saved through childbearing
σώζω · ψυχή G4982, G5590
to save life
σωτηρία · σώζω G4991, G4982
salvation; to save; rescue
ψυχή · σώζω G5590, G4982
to save life, preserve a person
Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

1 Corinthians 10 — Learn from Israel, Flee Idolatry, and Seek the Good of Others for God’s Glory 1 Corinthians 15 — Christ Is Risen, the Dead Will Be Raised, and Death Will Be Destroyed Acts 11 — Jerusalem Recognizes God’s Grace to the Gentiles Acts 14 — Through Many Hardships into the Kingdom Acts 15 — The Gospel of Grace Clarified and the Gentiles Received Acts 16 — The Gospel Enters Macedonia: Opened Hearts, Broken Chains, and Household Faith Acts 27 — The Storm, the Shipwreck, and the Promise of God Acts 4 — Christ Alone Saves and His Witnesses Speak Boldly John 10 — The Good Shepherd, the Door, and the Son One with the Father John 12 — The Anointed King, the Lifted-Up Son of Man, and the Hour of Glory Luke 17 — Faithful Servants, Grateful Cleansing, and the Coming Kingdom Luke 18 — Persistent Faith, Humble Mercy, and the King on the Road to Jerusalem Luke 23 — The Innocent King Condemned, Crucified with Transgressors, and Buried in Hope Luke 6 — The Lord of the Sabbath Forms a Kingdom People Luke 7 — The Compassionate Lord Who Heals, Raises, Confirms, and Forgives Luke 8 — The Word Heard, the Kingdom Revealed, and the Lord’s Authority Displayed Mark 10 — The Way of the Servant King: Marriage, Children, Wealth, Cross, Ransom, and Sight Mark 13 — Watch and Endure: Temple Judgment, Gospel Witness, Tribulation, the Son of Man, and Readiness Mark 15 — The Crucified King: Condemnation, Mockery, Death, Confession, and Burial Mark 3 — The Servant-King Confronted: Sabbath Mercy, Demonic Accusation, and the Family of God Mark 5 — The Authority of Jesus over Demons, Disease, and Death Mark 6 — Rejected Prophet, Sending Lord, Wilderness Shepherd, and Divine Son on the Sea Matthew 1 — The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus the Messiah Matthew 10 — The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ Matthew 14 — The Death of John, the Compassion of Jesus, and the Son of God over Bread, Sea, and Fear Matthew 16 — The Confession of the Christ, the Church Christ Builds, and the Cross-Shaped Way of Discipleship Matthew 19 — Marriage from Creation, Children Received, Riches Renounced, and the Reward of Following Christ Matthew 24 — The Olivet Discourse: Temple Desolation, Coming Judgment, the Son of Man, and Watchful Readiness Matthew 8 — The Authority of Jesus over Uncleanness, Sickness, Discipleship, Storms, and Demons Matthew 9 — Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest Romans 10 — Christ the End of the Law and the Righteousness Received by Faith Romans 11 — The Remnant, the Grafted Gentiles, and the Mercy of God Toward Israel Romans 9 — God’s Faithfulness, Sovereign Mercy, and Israel’s Stumbling Over Christ

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details