SALVATION (Words #3)
"Salvation" is a fairly common word in Bibles (ie, translations).
Consider these two snippets from Hebrews:
For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? Hebrews 2:2-3 (NLT) Salvation necessary for me and you.
In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:9 (NLT) Salvation sufficient for me and you.
Jesus = Saviour - saves - brings about God’s salvation plan - imparts eternal life to all who believe in him - establishes God’s kingdom of the redeemed.
“Salvation” covers a key aspect of the NT good news, if not the central point. I think it fair to say the whole Bible portrays the ‘history of salvation’; salvation is the core of its message. The English word salvation occurs 45 times in the English Standard Version NT (and 133 times in ESV OT). The New Living Translation uses the word 51 times in the NT. I will reproduce some of the instances here. (As always, I actually consider it best to look at the occurrences in the paragraphs or chapters from which they come, rather than just in these snippets.)
At the end of an episode exclusive to Luke we read: Then Jesus said to him (Zacchaeus), “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:9-10, NRSV) The saying may present a bit of a puzzle. At least part of the answer to the puzzle is that Jesus in himself embodied salvation, just as he embodied God’s kingdom. When Jesus comes into the house God’s kingdom enters; to put it another way, salvation arrives. (See Luke, chapters 17 and 18.)
A little later on, Peter, post-resurrection to Jewish rejecters, made the central point clear, and perhaps suggested the universal nature of the call: There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NRSV) I wonder if the hearers thought Peter was promoting Jesus as would-be national hero still? (More on this below.)
In many places the NT clarifies that the point was not political destiny but rather, through the Saviour Christ, acceptability with God:
- For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NRSV)
- Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10 (NRSV)
- The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 1 Peter 1: 9-10 (NLT)
- and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15 (NRSV)
Almost 2000 years ago Paul and Barnabas spoke earnestly in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch:
“And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel! Before he came, John the Baptist preached that all the people of Israel needed to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized. As John was finishing his ministry he asked, ‘Do you think I am the Messiah? No, I am not! But he is coming soon—and I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.’ “Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also you God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation has been sent to us! The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had spoken about. Instead, they condemned him, and in doing this they fulfilled the prophets’ words that are read every Sabbath. They found no legal reason to execute him, but they asked Pilate to have him killed anyway. Acts 13:23-28 (NLT) ....... Sadly, seven days later the powerful identities in that synagogue turned down the message. There were consequences:
Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’ Acts 13: 46-47 (NLT)
“And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel! Before he came, John the Baptist preached that all the people of Israel needed to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized. As John was finishing his ministry he asked, ‘Do you think I am the Messiah? No, I am not! But he is coming soon—and I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.’ “Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also you God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation has been sent to us! The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had spoken about. Instead, they condemned him, and in doing this they fulfilled the prophets’ words that are read every Sabbath. They found no legal reason to execute him, but they asked Pilate to have him killed anyway. Acts 13:23-28 (NLT) ....... Sadly, seven days later the powerful identities in that synagogue turned down the message. There were consequences:
Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’ Acts 13: 46-47 (NLT)
More than once we read that synagogue gatherings were told that the hoped for saviour had come but hearers rejected the idea that Jesus, crucified and risen, was and is the key figure in God’s plan of salvation freely offered them and all humankind. (This represents changed thinking about the recipients and process of God’s plan - more on this below.) Paul the believer insisted on this truth: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16 (NIV)
In the Jerusalem temple, when he saw the infant Jesus, Simeon thanked God that he had seen God’s salvation with his own eyes. Zechariah in turn knows that his infant son (John) will be the forerunner to the one who was to bring salvation to God’s people; to bring deliverance from their enemies (see Luke 1 & 2). Luke 3 tells us that, when he began his public ministry, John fulfilled a promise from Isaiah, that “all flesh” would see God’s salvation. That quote given by Luke from the Greek OT (LXX) points also to the antecedent OT salvation story.
The wider “all flesh” Isaiah/Luke perspective (see preceding re Luke 3) does seem in tension with the expectation of “Israel’s” enemies being settled. ("Freedom" was an understandable desire.) The tension was still in evidence post-resurrection, on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24) and in the gathering prior to the ascension (Acts 1). In the former we see grieving disciples lamenting their loss of hope for military or political “salvation”; that Israel would have been “set free” by Jesus. In the later, even though during 40 days Jesus had been teaching about the kingdom of God, resurrection-convinced disciples want to know how long before Israel regains dominion; recovers power over their own destiny in a kingdom of Israel. Did they know Jesus had said that his kingdom was not an earthly one (John 18:36, NLT)? As the proportion of disciples became increasingly of non-Jewish background this way of thinking must have been displaced, hard as it must have been. Politically, Judaism’s days in Judaea were numbered (by the Romans); even the existence of a “Judaea” had only about 100 years to run. (Survival of the culture was a vastly different story.)
When Jesus said they should pray for God’s kingdom to come, I imagine it was no stretch for the original hearers (Matthew 6:10). The hope of "God’s kingdom" was the salvation longed for, even if the popular conception was outmoded. (Jesus had quite a lot to say about the “kingdom”.) In a way it is a surprise that Jesus did the donkey-ride into Jerusalem that last time: As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,
“Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” (Luke 19: 37-38, NRSV) Seems to me great disappointment was inevitable, once it became clear to the joyful ones that this king's kingdom was not of this world. No surprise that Jesus subsequently would be asked (Luke 20) about paying tax to Rome!
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” (Luke 19: 37-38, NRSV) Seems to me great disappointment was inevitable, once it became clear to the joyful ones that this king's kingdom was not of this world. No surprise that Jesus subsequently would be asked (Luke 20) about paying tax to Rome!
The Jews had a central role in the drama of salvation. Jesus had corrected a ‘foreigner’ by saying to her: You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. John 4:22 (NRSV). Above I cited Paul in Antioch appealing on the privilege given to Israel: “My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others who fear God, to us[/you] the message of this salvation has been sent (Acts 13: 26, NRSV). Nonetheless, quoting from the LXX of Isaiah 49:6, he insists on the universal nature of the offer of salvation: For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 13:47 (NRSV)
This world view is repeated in more than one passage: In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; Ephesians 1:13 (NRSV) - the recipients were clearly not (all) Jews. And: For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Titus 2:11 (NLT)
Regardless of any translation alternatives it is clear that salvation is presented as the work of God. As shown above and following, Jesus is central and these firmly monotheistic writers have no hesitation in ascribing the work to Jesus, or to God, with no firm ‘“demarcation”. (The marginal textual readings, under ‘other ancient authorities’, indicate to me that scribes of old times had difficulty with grasping this!) So, compare with above snippets: To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24, 25 (NIV)
The word “salvation” is sometimes used in the NT of physical survival or deliverance. People facing shipwreck received Paul’s encouragement: Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads.” Acts 27:34 (NRSV). Here translators use expressions such as survive, health, safety, give strength.
Paul often faced adversities and valued prayers for his salvation (deliverance): I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. Philippians 1:19 (NRSV) Paul could see antagonism from a different perspective: If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. 2 Corinthians 1:6 (NRSV) Other believers are encouraged to take a similar stance: and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. Philippians 1:28 (NRSV). This last has a transition in thought from the survival of persecution to possession of life eternal.
Noah is presented as an agent of a salvation in his day: It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith Hebrews 11:7 (NLT). Noah saved them from drowning.
In this life eternal salvation is a ‘work in progress’: Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; Philippians 2:12 (NRSV) For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NRSV)
The salvation Christ completed nonetheless waits a future unveiling; a destiny yet to be possessed (see above also): so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him Hebrews 9:28 (NIV). There is, as it were, a clock ticking: Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; Romans 13:11 (NRSV), and note also -
For he says,
“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NRSV)
The writer of Revelation pictures the final scene in the salvation story:
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, Revelation 19:1 (ESV)
In my survey I see eternal salvation (being deliverance - from judgement and to life):
Following is a word listing. My survey above is of the noun and adjective equivalent (§) uses. The relevant verb is far more frequent and less obvious in translation. (That indicates another post.)
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from
the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright ©
2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
- awaited (?)
- announced
- accomplished
- available
- accepted
- applied
- anticipated
Following is a word listing. My survey above is of the noun and adjective equivalent (§) uses. The relevant verb is far more frequent and less obvious in translation. (That indicates another post.)
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
