Another Salvation Tense/Category

Hebrews 1:14 CSB

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

Hebrews 2:10 CSB

For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Hebrews 5:9 CSB

After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,

Hebrews 6:9 CSB

Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation.

Hebrews 9:28 CSB

so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 2:3 CSB

how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Hebrews 11:7 CSB

By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 1

inherit salvation

Another Salvation Tense/Category

Hebrews 1:14

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

σωτηρία (sōtēria). noun.

Hebrews 2:10

For in bringing many sons to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—all things exist for Him and through Him—should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

σωτηρία (sōtēria). noun.

Hebrews 5:9

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”

σωτηρία (sōtēria). noun.

Hebrews 6:9

Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation.

σωτηρία (sōtēria). noun.

Hebrews 9:27-28

And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment — so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

σωτηρία (sōtēria). noun.

There are six occurrences of the English word “salvation” in the NKJV of Hebrews, as enumerated above. In all instances, they are translated from the Greek σωτηρία (sōtēria)- a noun.

We have been taught that salvation in Scriptures in the spiritual sense can take any one of three phases or tenses:

Past Tense -- Justification

This positional having the meaning “saved from the penalty of sin.” Romans 3

Present Tense-- Sanctification

This is the process of salvation in the believer’s life where we are “being saved from the power of sin.”

Future Tense-- Glorification

This is the end result or product of salvation where we are finally “saved from the presence of sin.”

In Dr. Wilson’s lecture on Hebrews in the Basis for FGT, he talks about another “future” category (tense?) which he calls probation of sin - Restoration (to reign, rule). See notes.

Hodges commenting on Hebrews 1:14 says, “It should not be automatically assumed that “salvation” here refers to a believer’s past experience of regeneration. On the contrary it is something future as both the context and the words “will inherit” suggest.1

I think if we look at each of the other verses containing the word “salvation”, we’ll find a future salvation. Both Hebrews 2:10 (where we are linked with Christ in both suffering and future glory) and Hebrews 5:9, where we see that Christ had to learn obedience through suffering so that He might be the Author or Source of eternal salvation-- these speak of a future salvation. Again Hodges says, “The salvation here referred to cannot be distinguished from that which is termed an inheritance (Heb. 1:14). It is also to be identified with the “eternal inheritance” mentioned in 9:15. It should not be confused with the acquisition of eternal life which is conditioned not on obedience but on faith (cf. John 3:16, etc.). Once again the writer had in mind final deliverance from and victory over all enemies and the consequent enjoyment of the “glory” of the many sons and daughters. This kind of salvation is explicitly contingent on obedience and indeed on an obedience modeled after that of Jesus who also suffered.2

1 Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 792.

2 Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 782.