Greek word · Strong's G4982

σώζω

sṓzō · verb · “to save, rescue”

In a sentence

Sōzō means to save, rescue, or make whole — used for physical healing and deliverance, and supremely for God’s saving of people from sin and death through Jesus.

Sōzō ranges from rescuing someone from drowning or disease to the full salvation of the soul. The Gospels use it both ways — Jesus “saves” the sick and the sinking, picturing the greater rescue he came to accomplish.

Its great use is the salvation of sinners: “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” To be saved (sōzō) is to be delivered from sin’s penalty and power and brought safely to God — a gift received by faith.

Strong's reference

Definition: to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)

KJV usage: heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.