PISTIS (Faith and Trust in the New Testament)

What is the Word?

The idea of faith and its relationship to the Christian life has been a contentious one in the history of the Church. The importance of the role of faith in our lives has inspired the reformation and continues to be a defining aspect of our lives. Faith in the New Testament also has a central role to play in our lives and is generally denoted by the word pistis (πίστις).

How does the Bible use this word?

Pistis expresses a faith that is always a gift from God to the believer. The generation of faith is always a divine action. Faith in God flows forth from the new heart that God gives us through the Gospel. This distinguishes it from a mere confidence that is often expressed between human beings in various affairs. This also has implications of trust and fidelity depending on the biblical context in which it is used.

Where in the Bible?

Often the relationship between faith and trust are intimately entwined in the New Testament. For Jesus, faith implies trust in him and what he teaches about himself. One example of this can be found in Luke’s account of Jesus calming the sea:

And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

Luke 8:23-25

For the ancient Israelites, the seas often represented the forces of chaos and demonic activity in the world, with its constant severity and unpredictability. Moreover, some of his disciples were fishermen, so they likely knew a thing or two about sea storms and how to weather them. Their fear illustrates just how intense the storm was. When Jesus rebukes the sea, it shows his power over the natural elements of the weather, but also his dominion over all the dark and chaotic forces in our lives. His question to the disciples implies that they ought to have made this connection between faith and trust. Faith in him ought to imply that they recognize his dominion over the forces that threaten them. In him and him alone are they to take refuge from all things.

Faith into Practice

How then do we live in light of this faith and trust, and how do we put it into practice to serve our neighbor? One thing that might be helpful is to recognize the benefits that flow from our trust in Christ. Our faith might be thought of as fire and good works as the heat and light that emanate from the fire. Secure in the work of Christ, we are truly free to serve our neighbor without fear of what challenges life throws our way.

Written by Drew Matz Live Together Staff Writer