Expert: Dean Gade - 10/4/2007

Question
Hi Dean- I actually had asked this question prior to a different expert, but thought your background may make it more appropriate to ask this question again. I am interested in the precise meanings of the Greek words for "faith", "belief" and "confess". Obviously, the answer to this question cuts right at the heart of the Gospel message. Thanks so much, Anthony

Answer
The noun form of "faith" (pistis)means a persuasion or moral conviction.   But sometimes it helps to look as the common usage of a word at the time it was used.  So here are some various uses of just this word, pistis.

Acts 3:15-16
16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
(from New International Version)


Acts 11:24
24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
(from New International Version)


Acts 14:9-10
Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
(from New International Version)


Acts 15:8-9
9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
(from New International Version)


Rom 1:5-6
5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
(from New International Version)


Rom 1:17
17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
(from New International Version)


1 Cor 12:7-9

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit,
(from New International Version)


2 Cor 1:24-2:1
24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
(from New International Version)


Heb 11:1-2
11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
(from New International Version)


1 Peter 1:3-6
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
(from New International Version)


Rev 14:12
12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
(from New International Version)

I tried to find those passages which did NOT use the word in the same way.  As you can see,  finding a "precise" definition  of a word only shows that it is used with some freedom of meaning.

Another form of the word, pistis, is pisteous.  This is the verb form and can pretty well be translated as "believe" ...even as we use it today.

"Belief" is an alternative translation of "faith" (pistis) in the NT and only used once or twice depending on what translation that you look at.

"Confess" (homologeo) means "an assent" a covenant or to acknowledge.

Here are some passages which give different flavor to the word:

Matt 14:7
7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
(from New International Version)


John 12:42-43

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
(from New International Version)


1 Tim 6:12
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
(from New International Version)


1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
(from New International Version)


1 John 2:22-23
23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
(from New International Version)


1 John 4:15-16
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
(from New International Version)

The source of the Greek word comes from "homo"- same and "legio" or "logos" -speak, -word....so it always carries a meaning of "agreement" whether confessing our sins to God (who already knows of them) or confessing a creed by which we say that we agree with others of the same faith.