Faith According to Easton's Dictionary |
Faith According to Vine's Dictionary |
Faith According to Nelson's Dictionary |
Faith According to Unger's Dictionary |
Faith The International Std. Bible Encyl |
Faith Given to us by Hebrews 11 |
Faith as perceived by Rev. Bob StevensResting in the Fact that God is Godand everything he is you believe and rest upon that fact. |
Easton's Dict. 1302
Faith Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain
statement is true
Php 1:27 2Th 2:13
Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it
becometh the
gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I
may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one
mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
2The 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to
God for
you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief
of the truth:
Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and
therefore worthy
of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in
accordance with the evidence on which it rests.
Faith is the result of teaching Ro 10:14-17
Roma 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom
they have
not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and
bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who
hath believed our report?
17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith Joh 10:38 1Jo 2:3
John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me,
believe the
works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I
in him.
1Joh 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if
we keep his commandments.
Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that
faith
includes in it assent, which is an act of the will in addition to the
act of the understanding. Assent to the truth is of the essence of
faith, and the ultimate ground on which our assent to any revealed
truth rests is the veracity of God.
Historical faith is the apprehension of and assent to certain
statements which are regarded as mere facts of history.
Temporary faith is that state of mind which is awakened in men (e.g., Felix)
by the exhibition of the truth and by the influence of religious
sympathy, or by what is sometimes styled the common operation of the
Holy Spirit.
Saving faith is so called because it has eternal life inseparably
connected with it. It cannot be better defined than in the words of the
Assembly's Shorter Catechism: "Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace,
whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is
offered to us in the gospel."
The object of saving faith is the whole revealed Word of God. Faith
accepts and believes it as the very truth most sure. But the special
act of faith which unites to Christ has as its object the person and
the work of the Lord Jesus Christ
Joh 7:38 Ac 16:31
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of
his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
shalt be saved, and thy house.
This is the specific act of faith by which a sinner
is justified before God
Ro 3:22,25 Ga 2:16 Php 3:9
Roma 3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus
Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no
difference:
Roma 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith
in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins
that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Gala 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law,
but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by
the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified.
Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith:
Joh 3:16-36 Ac 10:43 16:31
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but
that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and
men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to
the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be
made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of
Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there
was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between [some] of John's disciples and
the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with
thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same
baptizeth, and all [men] come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be
given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but
that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the
bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because
of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I [must] decrease.
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is
earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above
all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man
receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is
true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth
not the Spirit by measure [unto him].
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth
on him.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
shalt be saved, and thy house.
In this act of faith the believer appropriates and
rests on Christ alone as Mediator in all his offices.
This assent to or belief in the truth received upon the divine
testimony has always associated with it a deep sense of sin, a distinct
view of Christ, a consenting will, and a loving heart, together with a
reliance on, a trusting in, or resting in Christ. It is that state of
mind in which a poor sinner, conscious of his sin, flees from his
guilty self to Christ his Saviour, and rolls over the burden of all his
sins on him. It consists chiefly, not in the assent given to the
testimony of God in his Word, but in embracing with fiducial reliance
and trust the one and only Saviour whom God reveals. This trust and
reliance is of the essence of faith. By faith the believer directly and
immediately appropriates Christ as his own. Faith in its direct act
makes Christ ours. It is not a work which God graciously accepts
instead of perfect obedience, but is only the hand by which we take
hold of the person and work of our Redeemer as the only ground of our
salvation.
Saving faith is a moral act, as it proceeds from a renewed will, and a
renewed will is necessary to believing assent to the truth of God
1Co 2:14 2Co 4:4
1Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them],
because they are spiritually discerned.
2Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Faith, therefore, has its seat in the moral part of
our nature
fully as much as in the intellectual. The mind must first be
enlightened by divine teaching
Joh 6:44 Ac 13:48 2Co 4:6 Eph 1:17,18
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me
draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and
glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal
life believed.
2Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Ephe 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know
what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of
his inheritance in the saints,
before it can discern the things of the Spirit.
Faith is necessary to our salvation
Mr 16:16
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned.
not because there is any merit in it, but simply
because it is
the sinner's taking the place assigned him by God, his falling in with
what God is doing.
The warrant or ground of faith is the divine testimony, not the
reasonableness of what God says, but the simple fact that he says it.
Faith rests immediately on, "Thus saith the Lord." But in order to this
faith the veracity, sincerity, and truth of God must be owned and
appreciated, together with his unchangeableness. God's word encourages
and emboldens the sinner personally to transact with Christ as God's
gift, to close with him, embrace him, give himself to Christ, and take
Christ as his. That word comes with power, for it is the word of God
who has revealed himself in his works, and especially in the cross. God
is to be believed for his word's sake, but also for his name's sake.
Faith in Christ secures for the believer freedom from condemnation, or
justification before God; a participation in the life that is in
Christ, the divine life
Joh 14:19 Ro 6:4-10 Eph 4:15,16
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye
see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Roma 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we
shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body
of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live
with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death
hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth,
he liveth unto God.
Ephe 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all
things, which is the head, [even] Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love.
etc.; "peace with God"
Ro 5:1
Roma 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:
and sanctification
Ac 26:18 Ga 5:6 Ac 15:9
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to
light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by
faith that is in me.
Gala 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing,
nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their
hearts by faith.
All who thus believe in Christ will certainly be saved
Joh 6:37,40 10:27,28 Ro 8:1
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that
cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one
which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life:
and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.
Roma 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The faith=the gospel
Ac 6:7 Ro 1:5 Ga 1:23 1Ti 3:9 Jude 1:3
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests
were obedient to the faith.
Roma 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience
to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Gala 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times
past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
1Tim 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the
common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort
[you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints.
Hebr 11:1 (KJS) Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word
of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do
appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of
his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was
not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation
he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved
with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he
condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by
faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he
should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not
knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange
country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with
him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and
maker [is] God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed,
and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged
him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so
many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by
the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced
[them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the
earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a
country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence
they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath
prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that
had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the
dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of
Joseph; and worshipped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the
children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his
parents, because they saw [he was] a proper child; and they were not
afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the
son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to
enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures
in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he
endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood,
lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry [land]: which the
Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed
about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not,
when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of
Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David
also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of
weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the
armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection:
36 And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being
destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and
[in] mountains, and [in] dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received
not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect.
Vine's Dict. 974
FAITH
PISTIS (pistiV) [Strong...4102], primarily, firm persuasion, a
conviction based upon hearing (akin to peithô, to persuade),
is
used in the N.T. always of faith in God or Christ, or things spiritual.
The word is used of
(a) trust, e.g.,
Roma 3:25 [see Note (4) below];
Roma 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith
in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins
that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Roma 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it
is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and
mightest overcome when thou art judged.
1Cor 2:5, 15:14,17, 2Cor 1:24, Gala 3:23 [see Note (5) below];
1Cor 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in
the power of God.
1Cor 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain,
and your faith [is] also vain.
1Cor 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are
yet in your sins.
2Cor 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are
helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
Gala 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up
unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gala 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh
miracles among you, [doeth he it] by the works of the law, or by the
hearing of faith?
Phil 1:25, 2:17, 1The 3:2, 2The 1:3, 3:2
Phil 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and
continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
Phil 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of
your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
1The 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our
fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to
comfort you concerning your faith:
2The 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is
meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of
every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
2The 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men:
for all [men] have not faith.
(b) trustworthiness, e.g.,
Matt 23:23, Roma 3:3 R.V.,
Matt 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay
tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier
[matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to
have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Roma 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make
the faith of God without effect?
"the faithfulness of God;"
Gala 5:22 (R.V., "faithfulness");
Gala 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Titu 2:10
Titu 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
"fidelity;"
(c) by metonymy, what is believed, the contents of belief, the faith,
Acts 6:7, 14:22, Gala 1:23, 3:25 [contrast Gala 3:23 under (a)];
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests
were obedient to the faith.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them
to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation
enter into the kingdom of God.
Gala 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times
past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Gala 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a
schoolmaster.
Gala 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up
unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gala 6:10, Phil 1:27, 1The 3:10, Jude 1:3,20 (and
perhaps 2The 3:2 );
Gala 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all
[men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of
Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear
of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel;
1The 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your
face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the
common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort
[you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints.
Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
2The 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men:
for all [men] have not faith.
(d) a ground for faith, an assurance,
Acts 17:31 (Not as in A.V., marg., "offered faith");
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge
the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained;
[whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath
raised him from the dead.
(e) a pledge of fidelity, plighted faith,
1Tim 5:12
1Tim 5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first
faith.
The main elements in faith in its relation to the
invisible God,
as distinct from faith in man, are especially brought out in the use of
this noun and the corresponding verb, pisteuô; they are
(1) a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of God's
revelation or truth, e.g.,
2The 2:11,12
2The 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.
(2) a personal surrender to Him,
John 1:12
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
(3) a conduct inspired by such surrender,
2Cor 5:7
2Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Prominence is given to one or other of these elements
according
to the context. All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely
natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held in good faith
without necessary reference to its proof. The object of Abraham's faith
was not God's promise (that was the occasion of its exercise); his
faith rested on God Himself,
Roma 4:17,20,21
Roma 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many
nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the
dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Roma 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but
was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able
also to perform.
See ASSURANCE, BELIEF, FAITHFULNESS, FIDELITY.
ASSURANCE - 172
BELIEF - 256
FAITHFULNESS - 977
FIDELITY - 1019
Notes:
Note#(1) In Hebr 10:23
Hebr 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without
wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) elpis, hope, is
mistranslated "faith" in the A.V. (R.V., "hope").
Note#(2) In Acts 6:8
Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and
miracles among the people.
the most authentic mss. have charis, grace, R.V., for pistis, faith.
Note#(3) In Roma 3:3 ) R.V.,
Roma 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make
the faith of God without effect?
apistia, is rendered "want of faith," for A.V., "unbelief" (so
translated elsewhere). See UNBELIEF. The verb apisteô in that
verse is rendered "were without faith," R.V., for A.V., "did not
believe."
UNBELIEF - 3088
Note#(4) In Roma 3:25
Roma 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith
in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins
that are past, through the forbearance of God;
the A.V. wrongly links "faith" with "in His blood," as if faith is
reposed in the blood (i.e., the Death) of Christ; the en is
instrumental; faith rests in the living Person; hence the R.V. rightly
puts a comma after "through faith," and renders the next phrase "by His
blood," which is to be connected with "a propitiation." Christ became a
propitiation through His blood (i.e., His death in expiatory sacrifice
for sin).
Note#(5) In Gala 3:23
Gala 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up
unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. though the article
stands before "faith" in the original, faith is here to be taken as
under
(a) above, and as in ver. 22, and not as under
(c), the faith; the article is simply that of renewed mention.
(6) For the difference between the teaching of Paul and that of James,
on faith and works, see Notes on Galatians, by Hogg and Vine, pp.
117-119.
Topics-Personal # 610
FAITH
A belief in or confident attitude toward God,
involving commitment to His will for one's life.
According to <Hebrews 11>, faith was already present in
the
experience of many people in the Old Testament as a key element of
their spiritual lives. In this chapter, the various heroes of the Old
Testament (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and
Moses) are described as living by faith. In addition, the Old Testament
itself makes the same point. Abraham "believed in the Lord" Gen
15:6 the Israelites "believed" Ex 4:31 14:31
and the prophet Habakkuk taught that "the just shall live by his faith"
Hab 2:4
Gene 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he
counted it to him for righteousness.
Exod 4:31 And the people believed: and when they
heard that
the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked
upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
Exod 14:31 And Israel saw that great work which the
LORD did
upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the
LORD, and his servant Moses.
Haba 2:4 Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is
not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
In the New Testament, "faith" covers various levels of personal commitment. Mere intellectual agreement to a truth is illustrated in James 2:19 where even demons are said to believe that there is one God. Obviously, however, they are not saved by this type of belief. Genuine saving faith is a personal attachment to Christ, best thought of as a combination of two ideas-- reliance on Christ and commitment to Him. Saving faith involves personally depending on the finished work of Christ's sacrifice as the only basis for forgiveness of sin and entrance into heaven. But saving faith is also a personal commitment of one's life to following Christ in obedience to His commands: "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" 2Tim 1:12
Jame 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou
doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
2Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these
things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him
against that day.
Faith is part of the Christian life from beginning
to end. As the instrument by which the gift of salvation is received Eph
2:8-9
faith is thus distinct from the basis of salvation, which is grace, and
from the outworking of salvation, which is good works. The apostle Paul
declared that salvation is through faith, not through keeping the works
of the law Eph 2:8,9
Ephe 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Finally, in the New Testament, faith can refer to
the teachings
of the Bible, the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints Jude
1:3
In modern times, faith has been weakened in meaning so that some people
use it to mean self-confidence. But in the Bible, true faith is
confidence in God or Christ, not in oneself.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write
unto you
of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and
exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
FAITH (Gk. pistis). Belief or trust-- especially in
a higher
power. The fundamental idea in Scripture is steadfastness and
faithfulness.
Scripture's Use of the Word. The word is used in Scripture (1) most
frequently in a subjective sense, denoting a moral and spiritual
quality of individuals, by virtue of which men are held in relations of
confidence in God and fidelity to Him; and (2) in an objective sense,
meaning the body of truth, moral and religious, which God has
revealed-- that which men believe. Examples of this use of the word are
not numerous, though they occur occasionally, as in Phil 1:27
1Tim 1:19 6:20-21 Jude 1:3,20
Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it
becometh the
gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I
may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one
mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
1Tim 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience;
which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1Tim 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed
to thy
trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of
science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the
faith.
Grace [be] with thee. Amen. [The first to Timothy was written from
Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.]
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write
unto you
of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and
exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints.
Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves
on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
The word occurs only twice in our English version of
the OT, the idea being expressed by other terms, such as "trust," etc.
This article is confined in the further discussion to faith in the
sense first named. The following points are of chief importance:
Philosophical. Faith, viewed philosophically, must be regarded as lying
at the basis of all knowledge. Anselm's famous utterance "Crede ut
intelligas," "Believe that you may know," expresses the truth in
contrast with the words of Abelard, "Intellige ut credas," "Know that
you may believe." Truths perceived intuitively imply faith in the
intuitions. Truths or facts arrived at by logical processes, or
processes of reasoning, are held to be known because, first of all, we
have confidence in the laws of the human mind. Our knowledge obtained
through the senses has underneath it faith in the senses. To this
extent Goethe spoke wisely when he said, "I believe in the five
senses." A large part of knowledge rests upon human testimony, and of
course this involves faith in the testimony.
The distinction between matters of faith and matters of knowledge must
not be drawn too rigidly, inasmuch as all matters of knowledge are in
some measure matters also of faith. The distinction, when properly
made, chiefly recognizes the different objects to which our convictions
relate, and the different methods by which we arrive at these
convictions. The convictions themselves may be as strong in the one
case as in the other.
Theological. Faith in the theological sense contains two elements
recognized in the Scriptures: there is an element that is intellectual
and also an element, of even deeper importance, that is moral. Faith is
not simply the assent of the intellect to revealed truth; it is the
practical submission of the entire man to the guidance and control of
such truth. "The demons also believe, and shudder."
Indispensable as is the assent of the intellect, that alone does not
constitute the faith upon which the Scriptures lay such emphasis. The
essential idea is rather that of fidelity, faithfulness, steadfastness.
Or, as has been well said, "Faith, in its essential temper, is that
elevation of soul by which it aspires to the good, the true, and the
divine." In illustration may be cited particularly John
3:18-21 Rom 2:7 4:5 Heb 11:1 James 2:14-26
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned:
but he
that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed
in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come
into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds
were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light,
neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that
his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Roma 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well
doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Roma 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth
on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for
righteousness.
Hebr 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen.
Jame 2:14 What [doth it] profit,
my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can
faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and
filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful
to the body; what [doth it] profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy
faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils
also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered
Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith
made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God,
and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the
Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she
had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works
is dead also.
Intellectual. Viewed more particularly with
reference to its
intellectual aspect, faith is properly defined as the conviction of the
reality of the truths and facts that God has revealed, such conviction
resting solely upon the testimony of God.
These truths and facts are to a large extent beyond the reach of the
ordinary human processes of acquiring knowledge. Still, they are of the
utmost importance in relation to human life and salvation. God has
therefore revealed them. And they who accept them must do so upon the
trustworthiness of the divine testimony. This testimony is contained in
the Holy Scriptures. It is impressed moreover by the special sanction
of the Holy Spirit. See John 3:11,31-33 16:8-11 1John 5:10-11
and many other places.)
John 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak
that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our
witness.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he
that is
of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from
heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he
testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to
his seal that God is true.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and
ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is
judged.
John 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was
cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry [thy]
bed.
11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same
said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
Results of Faith. They who receive the divine testimony and yield to it become partakers of heavenly knowledge. Their knowledge comes by faith, yet nonetheless it is knowledge. The Scriptures, it is true, recognize the difference between walking by faith and walking by sight, and thus the difference between the objects and methods of sense-perception and those of faith. Also the difference is noted between the acquisition of human learning and philosophy and the contents of the divine revelation. But still the Scriptures represent true believers as persons who "know the things freely given to us by God." Christ said to His disciples, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God" Luke 8:10 see also John 8:31-32 1Cor 1:5-6,21-30; 2:9-16; Eph 1:17 1Tim. 2:4
Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know
the
mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing
they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which
believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples
indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free.
1Cor 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him,
in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in
you:
1Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the
world by
wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to
save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and
unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the
power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness
of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after
the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the
wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the
things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath
God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things
that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us
wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen,
nor ear
heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man
which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the
Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to
us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things
with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because
they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is
judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?
But we have the mind of Christ.
Ephe 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father
of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him:
1Tim 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to
come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Reason and Faith. The relation of reason to faith is
that of
subordination, and yet not that of opposition. The truths of revelation
are in many cases above reason, though not against it. Such truths were
revealed because reason could not discover them. They are therefore to
be accepted, though the reason cannot demonstrate them. But this
inability of reason to discover or to demonstrate is one thing;
irrationality, as involving absurdity, or contradiction of the
intuitions of the intellect or conscience, or contradiction of
well-established truth, is another.
Reason has its justly recognized and appropriate function in examining
and weighing the evidences of revelation, as well as in interpreting or
determining the force of the terms in which the revelation is given.
But when the reality and meaning of revelation are thus reached, reason
has done its work, and it remains for faith to accept the contents of
the revelation, whatever they may be.
It should be said, however, that the evidence of the saving truth of
revelation, most convincing for many, is not that which appeals
directly to reason. Many lack ability or opportunity to investigate the
rational evidences of Christianity. But to them with all others the
announcement of the truth comes attended by the ministration or direct
testimony of the Holy Spirit. They are thus made to feel that they
ought to repent and believe the gospel. If they yield to this
conviction they obtain forgiveness of their sins and become new
creatures in Christ Jesus. The Spirit bears witness to their acceptance
with God. And thus in the experience of salvation they have
unquestionable proof of the reality of revelation. In all this reason
is subordinate to faith but by no means opposed to it 1Cor
1:21-31 John 16:8-11 Rom 8:14-17 1John 5:9-11
1Cor 1:21 For after that in the
wisdom of God the world by
wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to
save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and
unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the
power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness
of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after
the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the
wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the
things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath
God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things
that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us
wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in
the Lord.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Roma 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye
have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also
glorified together
Roma 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his
blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death
of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Condition of Salvation. As has been assumed in the foregoing, faith is the condition of salvation. It is not the procuring cause but the condition, or instrumental cause. It is frequently associated in the Scriptures with repentance; thus the conditions of salvation, as commonly stated in Protestant doctrine, are repentance and faith. But in reality true faith and true repentance are not separate or to be distinguished too rigidly from each other. Faith is fundamental. Repentance implies faith. Faith is not saving faith unless it includes repentance. (See Repentance.) Saving faith may therefore be properly defined for those who have the light of the gospel as such belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as leads one to submit completely to the authority of Christ and to put complete and exclusive trust in Him for salvation. See John 3:14-16
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal
life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Faith, which is the condition of salvation, is also,
in an
important measure, one of the results of salvation. In the justified
and regenerated soul, faith is deepened and developed by the influence
of the Holy Spirit. In its essential quality faith is unchanged, but it
acquires greater steadiness, and as the Word of God is studied and its
contents spiritually apprehended faith becomes broader and richer in
the truths and facts that it grasps.
Thus in its beginning and completion faith is one of the fruits of the
Spirit Gal 5:22 (e. mc.)
Gala 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
bibliography: W. H. P. Hatch, The Pauline Idea of
Faith (1917);
C. H. Dodd, The Bible and the Greeks (1935); J. Barr, Semantics of
Biblical Language (1961); J. G. Machen, What Is Faith? (1962); B. B.
Warfield, Biblical and Theological Studies (1962); N. Turner, Christian
Words (1980), pp. 153-58.
(from New Unger's Bible Dictionary)
(originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright
(C) 1988.)
FAITH
(fath):
-------------------
1. Etymology
.. 2. Meaning: a Divergency
.. 3. Faith in the Sense of Creed
.. 4. A Leading Passage Explained
.. 5. Remarks
.. 6. Conclusion
-------------------
In the Old Testament (the King James Version) the word occurs only
twice: Deut 32:20 ('emun); Hab 2:4
('emunah). In the latter the Revised Version (British and American)
places in the margin the alternative rendering, "faithfulness." In the
New Testament it is of very frequent occurrence, always representing
pistis, with one exception in the King James Version (not the Revised
Version (British and American)), Heb 10:23, where it
represents elpis, "hope."
Deut 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from
them, I will
see what their end [shall be]: for they [are] a very froward
generation, children in whom [is] no faith.
Haba 2:4 Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is
not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Hebr 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our]
faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)
1. Etymology: The history of the English word is rather interesting than important; use and contexts, alike for it and its Hebrew and Greek parallels, are the surest guides to meaning. But we may note that it occurs in the form "feyth," in Havelok the Dane (13th century); that it is akin to fides and this again to the Sanskrit root bhidh, "to unite," "to bind." It is worth while to recall this primeval suggestion of the spiritual work of faith, as that which, on man's side, unites him to God for salvation.
2. Meaning: a Divergency: Studying the word "faith" in the light of use and contexts, we find a bifurcation of significance in the Bible. We may distinguish the two senses as the passive and the active; on the one side, "fidelity," "trustworthiness"; and "faith," "trust," on the other. In Gal 5:22, e.g. context makes it clear that "fidelity" is in view, as a quality congruous with the associated graces. (the Revised Version (British and American) accordingly renders pistis there by "faithfulness.") Again, Rom 3:3 the King James Version, "the faith of God," by the nature of the case, means His fidelity to promise. But in the overwhelming majority of cases, "faith," as rendering pistis, means "reliance," "trust." To illustrate would be to quote many scores of passages. It may be enough here to call attention to the recorded use of the word by Our Lord. Of about twenty passages in the Gospels where pistis occurs as coming from His lips, only one Mt 23:23 presents it in the apparent sense of "fidelity." All the others conspicuously demand the sense of "reliance," "trust." The same is true of the apostolic writings. In them, with rarest exceptions, the words "reliance," "trust," precisely fit the context as alternatives to "faith."
Gala 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Roma 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall
their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Matt 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites!
for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the
weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought
ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
3. Faith in the Sense of Creed: Another line of meaning is traceable in a very few passages, where pistis, "faith," appears in the sense of "creed," the truth, or body of truth, which is trusted, or which justifies trust. The most important of such places is the paragraph James 2:14-26, where an apparent contradiction to some great Pauline dicta perplexes many readers. The riddle is solved by observing that the writer uses "faith" in the sense of creed, orthodox "belief." This is clear from verse 19, where the "faith." In question is illustrated: "Thou believest that God is one." This is the credal confession of the orthodox Jew (the shema`; see Deut 6:4), taken as a passport to salvation. Briefly, James presses the futility of creed without life, Paul the necessity of reliance in order to receive "life and peace."
Jame 2:14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though
a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and
filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful
to the body; what [doth it] profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy
faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils
also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered
Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith
made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God,
and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the
Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she
had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works
is dead also.
Deut 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one
LORD:
4. A Leading Passage Explained: It is important to notice that #Heb 11:1 is no exception to the rule that "faith" normally means "reliance," "trust." There "Faith is the substance (or possibly, in the light of recent inquiries into the type of Greek used by NT writers, "the guaranty") of things hoped for, the evidence (or "convincing proof") of things not seen." This is sometimes interpreted as if faith, in the writer's view, were, so to speak, a faculty of second sight, a mysterious intuition into the spiritual world. But the chapter amply shows that the faith illustrated, e.g. by Abraham, Moses, Rahab, was simply reliance upon a God known to be trustworthy. Such reliance enabled the believer to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen. In short, the phrase here, "faith is the evidence," etc., is parallel in form to our familiar saying, "Knowledge is power."
Hebr 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen.
5. Remarks: A few detached remarks may be added: (a)
The history
of the use of the Greek pistis is instructive. In the Septuagint it
normally, if not always, bears the "passive" sense "fidelity," "good
faith," while in classical Greek it not rarely bears the active sense,
"trust." In the koine, the type of Greek universally common at the
Christian era, it seems to have adopted the active meaning as the
ruling one only just in time, so to speak, to provide it for the
utterance of Him whose supreme message was "reliance," and who passed
that message on to His apostles. Through their lips and pens "faith,"
in that sense, became the supreme watchword of Christianity. See
JUSTIFICATION; UNION WITH CHRIST.
6. Conclusion: In conclusion, without trespassing on the ground of
other articles, we call the reader's attention, for his Scriptural
studies, to the central place of faith in Christianity, and its
significance. As being, in its true idea, a reliance as simple as
possible upon the word, power, love, of Another, it is precisely that
which, on man's side, adjusts him to the living and merciful presence
and action of a trusted God. In its nature, not by any mere arbitrary
arrangement, it is his one possible receptive attitude, that in which
he brings nothing, so that he may receive all. Thus "faith" is our side
of union with Christ. And thus it is our means of possessing all His
benefits, pardon, justification, purification, life, peace, glory.
As a comment on our exposition of the ruling meaning of "faith" in
Scripture, we may note that this precisely corresponds to its meaning
in common life, where, for once that the word means anything else, it
means "reliance" a hundred times. Such correspondence between religious
terms (in Scripture) and the meaning of the same words in common life,
will be found to be invariable.
HANDLEY DUNELM
(from International Standard Bible Encylopaedia, Electronic Database
Copyright (C) 1996 by Biblesoft)