When Paul refers to being saved or salvation (sozo), he most often depicts it as a spiritual state of being that is granted to those who have faith in Jesus Christ. According to Paul, salvation is not something that can be earned through good works or personal merit, but rather it is a gift from God that is freely given to those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
In his letters, Paul frequently uses the term "sozo" to describe the process of being saved or rescued from sin and death. He emphasizes that salvation is a transformative experience that involves a radical change in one's identity and purpose. Through faith in Jesus, believers are reconciled with God and empowered to live a new life in accordance with His will.
One of the key themes in Paul's teachings on salvation is the idea of justification by faith. He argues that human beings are inherently sinful and incapable of earning their way into God's favor through good deeds or moral righteousness. Instead, salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for humanity's sins.