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Salvation

/ˌsælˈveɪʃən/

nounB2

Definition

Salvation is the act or state of being saved from harm, danger, or loss. In many religions, it means being saved from sin or bad consequences and gaining a good, peaceful life after death. More generally, it can mean finding a way out of a difficult or dangerous problem.

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See It in Action

Spiritual or religious saving from sin or evil

  • •Many people believe in salvation through faith and good actions.
  • •The church teaches that salvation leads to eternal life.
  • •Prayer is often a way to seek salvation in difficult times.

Being saved from danger or a bad situation

  • •The firefighters were the salvation for the trapped family.
  • •Finding a job was her salvation during hard times.
  • •The lifeboat was their salvation after the shipwreck.

Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "salvation" like "help," but much bigger and more important—help that saves your life or your soul
  • ✓Picture a lifebuoy thrown to a person struggling in water, pulling them to safety
  • ✓It's the feeling of relief and hope when you escape a serious problem or danger
  • ✓Sounds like "SAL-vey-shun" → imagine someone calling out "Sal, save us!" as a hero arrives to help
  • ✓In stories, heroes often bring salvation to people by saving them from evil or trouble
  • ✓NOT like "rescue" (which is a physical saving), salvation can be spiritual or moral, saving your inner self or future
  • ✓NOT like "cure" (fixing illness), salvation is about saving from danger, punishment, or harm, not just health
  • ✓NOT like "escape" (running away), salvation often means being saved by someone or something else, not just running away yourself

Try Other Words

  • •Rescue: saving someone from physical danger (Use when talking about immediate physical saving)
  • •Deliverance: being set free from something bad (Use in religious or serious contexts)
  • •Saving: the act of saving from harm (Use in general contexts for protection or help)

Unboxing

  • •Word parts: root "salv-" meaning "to save" + suffix "-ation" meaning "the act or process of"
  • •Etymology: from Latin "salvatio," from "salvare" meaning "to save"
  • •Historical development: used in religious texts to mean saving souls; later used more broadly for any saving or help
  • •Modern usage: common in both religious and everyday language to describe being saved from danger or trouble

Reflect & Connect

•How do different cultures or religions understand the idea of salvation?
•Can salvation only happen with outside help, or can people save themselves?

Fill in the blanks

1.Many religions teach that salvation comes through ___ and good behavior.
2.The lifeboat was their salvation because it helped them ___ the dangerous sea.
3.Unlike simple help, salvation often means being saved from ___ or very serious problems.
4.People often pray or seek spiritual guidance when they want ___.
5.Firefighters can be seen as a form of salvation during ___ situations.
6.Salvation is different from escape because it usually involves being ___ by someone or something.
7.When someone finds salvation, they often feel ___ and full of hope.