Sozo and Soteria

[LeadWorship]

(Strong's #4982)
swzw
sozo
sode'-zo

from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saos, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

(Strong's #4991)
swthria
soteria
so-tay-ree'-ah

feminine of a derivative of swthr - soter 4990 as (properly, abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally):--deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

Both words are used in reference to being "saved" and "salvation". They are used throughout the new testament, however they are used in regards to physical and non-physical things.

So to say I'm saved (sozo) is to say "I'm delivered, healed, saved, make whole".

To say Christ died for my salvation (soteria) is to say "Christ died for my deliverance, my health, my saving".

Why then, do we think that we cannot be healed physically, even when these words are used by the disciples and apostles to describe both physical and non-physical meanings?

This is an honest question with no intent to point out anyone or any denomination. My intentions are not to offend. I have offered these up with scripture usage in a couple threads and they have gone unanswered.

 

[ShammahBenJudah]

Theses words both have the same primal etymology. Sozo is a verb, and soteria is a noun. Sozo is the act that produces the noun, soteria.

Healing is a part of the Covenant. The reason we doubt His Covenant is because the devil is a liar and we've grown up in his world system, listening to his lies. Satan's first and biggest lie is that God is a liar.

The good news is that the better we know God, the less we believe the devil's lies. When we're in Christ, we are complete. Jesus is the Prince of our Shalom...

1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace

a) completeness (in number)

b) safety, soundness (in body)

c) welfare, health, prosperity

d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment

e) peace, friendship

1) of human relationships

2) with God especially in covenant relationship

f) peace (from war)

g) peace (as adjective)

In Him, nothing is missing and nothing is broken.

 

[LeadWorship]

It's almost like we have programmed in our heads that "saved" means only "saved from eternal damnation".

 

[Father Rick]

It's almost like we have programmed in our heads that "saved" means only "saved from eternal damnation".

Unfortunately, this is a product of western thought.

Western logic is very linear and also tends to compartmentalize various aspects of life/existence.

Eastern thought, however, is much more circular and holistic. In Eastern thought (remember both Old and New Testaments were written in the Middle East), every aspect of life and existence (including both the natural and spiritual realms) ties into/affects every other area.

When studying scripture, it is important that we look at the original meaning to the original audience... and avoid "filtering" it through our 21st century western worldviews.

 

[Strong in Him]

Why then, do we think that we cannot be healed physically, even when these words are used by the disciples and apostles to describe both physical and non-physical meanings?

I don't think anyone here believes that we can't be healed physically, or Jesus can't do it any more. That has never been the issue.

But some of us DO say that God doesn't always heal instantly. He WILL heal, but has the right to do it in his own time/asks us to wait and trust him for it. It seems to me that others, who teach PHIA, can't accept that God may say "wait" in answer to a prayer and teach that healing is available more or less instantly. Sometimes they give the impression that we have the right to demand it, and must positively confess it til we get it. Though they would no doubt say that we already have it and must positively confess it til it manifests itself.

In my experience, both sides criticise the other for not accepting Scripture. Some in the first group have said that the others do not accept the Sovereignty of God in allowing him to work when he will; some in the second group have declared that the others are making God out to be a monster, and where there is no faith, there will not be any healing.

What seems so clear to one group re Scriptural interpretation, is not accepted by the other. Heated debate sometimes leads to threads being closed.

 

[Epiphoskei]

I agree... No serious Christian who I have ever spoken with disputes the fact that God can and does heal people. The issue is, must he? If you pray for healing and it doesn't happen, is that necesarraly a bad thing? Many times it is... sometimes it's not.

I have seen a fair amount of miraculous healing. I have seen a fair amount of no such healing coming when we want it. That's unpleasent, but not necearraly bad or outside of God's plans. We do not have a guerentee to health in this life. Remember, if we have hoped in Jesus in this life only, we are men most greatly to be pitied.

 

[LeadWorship]

Then, perhaps I asked the wrong question. I agree, most all of us agree that God heals.

Why then, do we think that we recieve healing, that according to these words, was something that was already provided? Is that the basis of PHIA? According to the meanings listed, Christ's act of salvation brings deliverance and healing, physically and non-physically, right?