by Dwight A. Pryor
THAT WE ARE “justified by faith” (Rom 5:1) is readily affirmed by every evangelical Christian. It is a cornerstone doctrine of our Protestant heritage and at the core of the Good News: For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed … that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith” (Rom 1:17 NIV).
Given its paramount importance, we would be wise to ask: What does the word “faith” really mean? Is it, for example, the same as “firm belief”? Surely we do not want to be fuzzy minded about such a vital subject!
The best place to begin our search for clarity on faith is with the Jewish Jesus and his apostles, and the Hebrew Scriptures upon which they depended for ultimate truth.
The first appearance of a word in the Bible often sets a precedent for its meaning elsewhere. In the case of “faith” or emunah in Hebrew, we find it first in Exodus. Israel has just come out of Egyptian captivity by the strong right arm of God when for no reason they are viciously attacked by Amalek. Joshua leads the Israelites into battle against this archenemy, while Moses stands nearby with his staff raised toward heaven.
Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (17:1-2)
You don’t see the word “faith” you say? It is translated as “steady” in Exodus 17:2. Moses’ hands were emunah until the sun went down, and so Israel prevailed. The core meaning of the Hebrew word for faith, emunah, is firmness, steadfastness, and fidelity. In a word, faith essentially is faithfulness in Jesus’ Hebraic vocabulary.
When he speaks, for instance, of the “faith of a mustard seed” (Mt 17:20), he is alluding to that little seed’s persistence and determination to grow even in the most barren of climes. The mustard seed prevails by faithfulness.
When St. Paul emphasizes that “from first to last” the Good News is about faith he has in view first the faithfulness of God in keeping covenant promises to the patriarchs, then thefaithfulness of Jesus unto an atoning death on the cross, and the faithfulness of those who believe this good news and walk in it. The literal meaning of the text he cites from Habakkuk is: “The righteous shall live by his faithfulness” (2:4).
READING THE WORD “faith” in the New Testament through the Hebraic lenses of emunahcan open Scriptures to fuller meaning. Consider some examples.
But now [the mystery] is disclosed … to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faithfulness — to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever! (Rom 16:26)
Without faithfulness it is impossible to please God. (Heb 11:6)
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faithfulnessworking through love. (Gal 5:6)
Look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faithfulness… (Heb 12:1)
This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faithfulness. (1 Jn 5:4)
We give thanks to God always for you all … remembering your work of faithfulness and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thes 1:2-3)
When the Son of Man comes, will he find faithfulness on earth?" (Lk 18.8)
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faithfulness of Jesus. (Rev 14:12)
Biblical faith signifies more than intellectual assent to truthful propositions. It includes but transcends belief. Even demons believe in One God (Jam 2:19) but they do not have faith. Right beliefs or doctrines, like precious gems, find their greatest value in a substantial setting of faithfulness. When our faith leads to faithfulness then we truly honor the Great and Faithful God of Israel.
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Want to study this subject in-depth? We recommend Perfecting Your Faith.
Take me back to the library. Or if you prefer, back to the topic Godly Living.