This is a brief and by no means comprehensive word study on ‘faith’ in the New Testament. Faith has a noun, a verb and an adjective. The noun pistis can be rendered in English as ‘faith’, ‘belief’ or ‘faithfulness’. The verb pisteuo is usually rendered as ‘believes’ or ‘to believe’ and the adjective pistos is often rendered ‘faithful’ or ‘trustworthy’.
How we understand the word is critical to our understanding of the gospel and salvation. So it would be good to familiarise ourselves with the various passages and concepts associated with the word.
The recent book Salvation by Allegiance Alone: Rethinking Faith, Works, and the Gospel of Jesus the King, has also raised an important question regarding how the New Testament understands faith.
This is one of my word studies.
Contents
Pistis – Belief, Faith, Trust and Faithfulness
Faith and Trust
This is a modified excerpt from Douglas Campbell’s, Deliverance of God – An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul. The Greek noun πίστεω is transliterated pisteōs, and can be rendered either ‘faith’ ‘believe’, ‘trust’ or ‘faithfulness’.
Unfortunately, the noun lacks precision and is ambiguous.
For example, in English ‘belief’ is different from ‘trust’;
- ‘Andrew believed from a very young age that dinosaurs had once roamed the United States’
- ‘Andrew trusted the piton he was hammering into the face of the mountain would hold his weight’
However, Koine Greek would probably use the same verb (πίστεω) for each of these notions and yet clearly they could mean rather different things.
It turns out then that ‘trust’ and ‘trusting’ are a quite specific subset of the broader semantic field of ‘belief’ and ‘believing’. The latter are clearly a necessary condition for the former – trusting involves believing certain things – but ‘trusting’ is by no means reducible to ‘believing’. They are not the same.
Faith and Trust over time
Now note a second distinction, that of trusting over time. If someone trusts over time we would probably denote these elements as ‘steadfastness’, ‘endurance’, ‘fidelity’ or ‘faithfulness’. Consider some modification of the first few examples;
- ‘Andrew trusted that Louise would not reveal his dark secrets to the rest of the church’
- ‘In spite of her long absence, Andrew trusted that Louise would return from her missionary work’
- ‘Louise served faithfully as a missionary for ten years’
Again, Koine Greek would probably use the same verb (πίστεω) for each of these notions and yet clearly they could mean rather different things.
There is no one to one relationship of words and meanings between Koine Greek and modern day English. When our interpreters of the Koine Greek write our bible translations they are deciding which is the best English word to use for the slightly polysemous pistis.
Greco-Roman Context
Its important to be aware of how many of Paul’s contemporaries would have understood terms like ‘faith’ particularly in relation to ‘grace’. These terms were used frequently in conjunction with the patronage system.
The “rules” for what was expected of a patron and a client were not painted on Roman city walls (political slogans were). The rules for the truly foundational institutions of society, like family and patronage, went without being said.
Everyone knew what the proper behavior was. A good patron solved the problems of his or her clients: assisting with trade guilds, business disputes, refinancing loans and easing tensions with city elders. The patron did “favors” for his clients who then fell under his circle of influence and protection.
In return, the client was expected to be loyal (faithful) and was sometimes asked to do things for the patron. (p163, Richards, O’Brien,. Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, Review)
I assume Paul’s use of these terms would have used the overall understanding of these terms, but filled them with meaning associated with God’s grace in giving Christ and our response of faith.
In Paul’s time it was impossible to escape the patronage system, Paul worked within it, even in his explanation of the Christian message of salvation.
Patronage had its own vocabulary. Words we usually consider particularly Christian terms—grace and faith—were common parlance before Paul commandeered them.
The undeserved gifts of assistance the patron offered were commonly called charis (“grace” and “gift”).
The loyalty the client offered the patron in response was called pistis (“faith” and “faithfulness”). Roman philosophers noted that when one received a god’s favor (charis), one should respond with love, joy and hope.
When Paul sought to explain the Christian’s new relationship with God, then, one of the ways he did so was in terms of the ancient system of patronage—something everyone understood. In other words, it went without being said that relationship is the premier and determinative aspect of charis, grace. (161, ibid)
Now that ‘Faith’ has come (Gal 3.23-26)
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. (Gal 3.23-26)
‘Before faith came’, ‘coming of faith’, ‘faith has come’. Faith in this passage seems to refer to the coming of Christ and the faith response he engenders.
This sets us up nicely for gospel ministry.
Word and Spirit create Faith (Rom 10.14-17; Gal 3.2-6; 1 Cor 2.12-13)
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10.14-17)
2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? (Gal 3.2-6)
12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (1 Cor 2.12-13)
‘Faith comes from hearing’, ‘hearing with faith’. Both texts state people come to faith through hearing the gospel. The Gospel of God’s grace – the Christ event of his birth, life, death and resurrection.
‘Received … the Spirit from God that we might understand’. God’s Spirit is the person who makes us understand the gospel. Consequently both Word and Spirit are necessary to bring a person to faith.
The Content of Saving Faith
What actually do people believe when the bible says they have faith? What is the content of saving faith? Rom 3.22 uses the expression ‘faith Jesus Christ’. Literally in the Greek, πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (Trans. pisteos Iesou Christou). What does this mean?
Jesus is the Risen Christ (Jn 11.25-27; 20.30-31; Acts 17.1-4; 18.4-8; Rom 4.23-25; 10.8-13; Col 2.6-7)
John is fairly clear. Summing up the purpose of his gospel John says;
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (Jn 20.30-31)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (Jn 11.25-27)
‘Believe Jesus is the Christ’. John says those who believe Jesus is the Christ receive eternal life. Those who believe Jesus is the Christ.
Acts has a few accounts of the faith gospel sermons were intended to solicit.
17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. (Acts 17.1-4)
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. (Acts 18.4-8)
‘Jesus is the Christ’, ‘Persuaded’, ‘Believed in the Lord’, ‘Believed’. In the context, believing in the Lord is the synonymous with believing Jesus is the Christ.
Romans has some strong statements.
23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Rom 4.23-25)
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom 10.8-13)
‘Believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord’, ‘Believe in your heart God raised Him’. Paul says the content of justifying and saving faith is the belief that God raised Jesus from the dead and that Jesus is Lord. ‘Believes in Him’ is the same as ‘Believe God raised Jesus from the dead’.
The direct association with faith and Christ strongly suggests ‘faith’ here is a positive response to the kingship of Jesus. Thus in salvation oriented passages like these which use the expression faith-Jesus-Christ: faith is most likely akin to allegiance and loyalty.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Col 2.6-7)
‘Received Christ Jesus the Lord’, ‘Established in the faith’. The Apostolic Gospel declares Jesus is the Christ (Lord, King and Judge) and therefore demands our allegiance.
Arcing back to the Greco-Roman context then: ‘faith’ is the response of allegiance and loyalty to Jesus Christ in response to God’s grace in Him which redeemed us from the powers of sin and death.
God and his Promises (Rom 4.3-5; 16-21)
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Rom 4.3-5)
16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. (Rom 4.16-21)
‘So shall your offspring be’, ‘Abraham believed God’. Pistis could be better translated as trusted here. Abraham trusted God and his promise of offspring. Trusting in God and his promises is the content of the faith that Paul recommends. Abraham trusted God over time and remained faithful to him. Paul’s references to Abraham’s belief overlap with his affirmations the Roman audience believes God raised Jesus from the dead (Rom 4.17).
So at this point I can say the content of saving faith is;
- Jesus is the promised Christ,
- God raised Jesus from the dead, and
- Trust in God’s promises.
Propitiation received by faith (Rom 3.22-26)
For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as an atoning sacrifice by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Rom 3.22-26)
‘Atoning sacrifice by his blood’, ‘Received by faith’. Verse 25 says that the benefits of Jesus atoning sacrifice on the cross are received by faith. But it is not clear what is the content of the faith he refers to here is. What is the content of the faith that receives the benefits of Christ’s atoning sacrifice?
As we have seen previously we can answer this question with: Those who trust in God’s promises, who believe God raised Jesus from the dead and that Jesus is Christ and Lord receive the sin atoning benefits Christs death on the cross.
Faith comes from the heart (Mk 11.20-23; Rom 10.9-10)
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Rom 10.9-10)
20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. (Mk 11.20-23)
‘Doubt in his heart but believes’, ‘Believe in your heart’. The heart (word study) is the center of a person’s being. These passages state saving faith comes from the heart. We can link this to the Spirits work in circumcising the heart when a person comes to believe the gospel.
Faith is instrumental in salvation (Rom 5.1-2; Eph 2.1-9)
5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom 5.1-2)
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2.1-9)
‘Access by faith into this grace’. I assume by grace, that Paul means a redemptive and peaceful relationship with God. Faith has now granted the person access into this relationship and right standing.
‘By grace you have been saved through faith’. Sinners who by God’s grace believe Jesus is the Christ are saved, justified and now have access into God’s grace. Faith is consequently instrumental in salvation.
Faith is the boundary marker for the righteous (Gal 2.11-16; Rom 3.27-31)
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews? 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” (Gal 2.11-16)
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. (Rom 3.27-31)
‘Force Gentiles to live like Jews’, ‘God of the Gentiles also’, ‘Justified by faith apart from works of law’. Belief that Jesus is the Christ, not the works prescribed in the law of Moses is what identifies the righteous. This includes Gentile believers who do not observe the works of law, as well as the Jewish believers who do.
Faith is not only instrumental in granting access to God (cf. Rom 5.1-2), it is also the key identifier (‘boundary marker’) for the righteous.
Working Faith
Visible expression (Mt 9.1-8; Rom 1.8; 1 Thes 1.2-3)
9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Mt 9:1–8)
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. (Rom 1.8)
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thes 1.2-3)
‘Saw their faith’, ‘Faith is proclaimed’, ‘Work of faith’. From one point of view, faith and trust are of the heart which only God can see. However faith has a visible expression, it can be embodied. Visible expressions of faith are called ‘faith’. Paul doesn’t necessarily force a sharp distinction between what people believe and what they do. I believe they are inseparable.
Working Faith (Gal 5.3-6; Jas 2.14-26)
3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Gal 5.3-6)
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (Jas 2.14-26)
Note: Paul and James are using different understandings of ‘faith’. Paul as we have seen is applying a broad understanding of faith that includes allegiance, trust and embodied actions. James’ usage of faith seems to be mental assent alone. Thus shown in making the distiction between ‘faith’ and ‘works’.
‘Faith working through love’, ‘Justified by works and not by faith alone’, ‘Faith apart from works is dead’. Living faith is working faith. As we will see, unseen faith creates obedience. Likewise Paul and James affirm faith is living, active, loving and working.
Obedience of Faith (Rom 1.1-6; 15.17-19)
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, (Rom 1.1-6)
17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ (Rom 15.17-19)
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Rom 16.25-27)
‘Obedience of faith’. Faith is in itself a form of obedience, in that it recognises Jesus is Lord and Christ to whom we owe our obedience. Faith leads to obedience as well along the same lines. Those who believe Jesus is the Christ and receive him as Lord, obey him.
Assured Evidence of Future Hope (Heb 11)
11 Now faith is the assurance (Gk. ὑπόστασις Trans. hypostasis) of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. …
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. …
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Heb 11.1-7, 13-16, 39-40)
‘Assurance’, ‘conviction’, ‘of things hoped for’. Embodied faith – obedience, is the present evidence that gives assurance of the things promised in the future. Embodied faith is a sign of future reality.
‘Received the things promised’. Faith believes in God’s promise for a future city and homeland. Once again this is trust over time. Faith, obedience and righteousness are linked to God’s covenant promises.
The Object of Faith (in Christ) and Faith as a Defining Characteristic (of Person)
With respect to the person who believes there are two aspects of their faith that are sometimes played off one another.
- Faith, trust and belief are in something other that oneself, and
- Faith and faithfulness are characteristics of a person.
Both are true. We’ve already seen aspects of this in that Abraham trusted God and his promise. And also Abraham is counted righteous for his belief and so are the righteous (Jews and Gentiles) identified as the righteous because of their faith.
The Faithfulness of Christ and Faith in Christ (Gal 3.21-29; Rom 3.21-26)
Is there another way to render the Greek expression ‘pisteōs Iēsou Christou’ in Gal 3.22 and Rom 3.22? How does one interpret pistis? Faith, trust or faithfulness? What word do we put between pisteos and Christou?
3:21 Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 3:22 But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given—because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—to those who believe.
3:23 Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed. 3:24 Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith. 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 3:26 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3.21-29 NET)
‘Faithfulness of Jesus Christ’. From verse 23 onwards, Paul uses ‘faith’ to describe Jesus and his coming. The interpreters of the NET bible believe ‘pisteōs Iēsou Christou’ in Gal 3.22 is better rendered ‘faithfulness of Jesus Christ’ (not ‘faith in Christ’). I suspect because of the continued reference to ‘faith’ as Jesus Christ and the tautology that would arise from rendering it ‘faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe’.
3:21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed—3:22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 3:24 But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 3:25 God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed. 3:26 This was also to demonstrate his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus’ faithfulness. (Rom 3.21-26 NET)
‘Faithfulness of Jesus Christ’. The interpreters of the NET bible believe ‘pisteōs Iēsou Christou’ in Rom 3.22 is better rendered ‘faithfulness of Jesus Christ’. I suspect because the righteousness of God attested to in the law and the prophets is the coming of Jesus Christ and his faithfulness of God’s mission.
This finishes the brief word study. It was good to do a little research on faith and group together the various themes I found associated with it.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2017. All Rights Reserved.
