Faith Definition (What does faith mean in the Bible?)
Faith definitions vary. Some imagine faith as a blind leap, while others see it as personal optimism or psychological confidence. The biblical authors present a holistic understanding of faith which is not opposed to reason or evidence; rather, it is an obedient, trust-filled, allegiant to the living God revealed in Jesus Christ.
This article will explore the biblical faith definition, considering its theological dimensions, historical developments, and practical expressions. We will see that faith involves knowledge, belief, and trust, but also extends to loyalty, obedience, and hope.
1. Biblical Foundations of Faith
The Bible provides the clearest faith definition in Hebrews 11:1:
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
This verse teaches that faith rests on certainty in God’s invisible realities, which are more reliable than temporal appearances. Faith trusts God’s promises even when they are not yet visible.
Key features of biblical faith include:
Conviction of God’s existence (Hebrews 11:6).
Confidence in His promises (Romans 4:20–21).
Active obedience to His commands (James 2:17).
Loyal allegiance to Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9–10).
Enoch, Abraham, and Noah are prime examples in Hebrews 11. They believed God’s word, trusted His promises, and demonstrated their faith through obedience. Thus, a biblical faith definition cannot separate belief from action.
2. Faith as Allegiance
Saving faith is not merely intellectual acknowledgment of ideas. It encompasses three interrelated dimensions:
Mental affirmation: Recognizing the truth of the gospel (cf. James 2:19).
Professed loyalty: Publicly confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9).
Enacted obedience: Living in alignment with Christ’s reign (John 14:15).
This framework reveals that a definition for faith in the Bible is inseparable from faithfulness. God is not merely seeking belief in abstract truths; He is seeking loyal allegiance.
Consider how Jesus called people to follow him:
Belief in his identity as Messiah (John 11:27).
Commitment to discipleship (Luke 9:23).
Endurance in loyalty even under persecution (Matthew 24:13).
Faith is thus covenantal—anchored in trust and demonstrated in allegiance.
3. Theological Dimensions of Faith
Christian theology has often distinguished between two dimensions of faith:
Objective Faith (fides quae creditur): The faith believed—the content of Christian truth, including Scripture, creeds, and teachings.
Subjective Faith (fides qua creditur): The act of believing—our personal, Spirit-enabled response to God’s truth.
Protestant scholastic theology further refined the faith definition into three aspects:
Notitia (Knowledge): Understanding what God has revealed.
Assensus (Assent): Agreeing that this revelation is true.
Fiducia (Trust): Personally relying on and committing to God through Christ.
Faith, then, is intellectual and relational. It engages the mind with truth, the will with obedience, and the heart with trust. It is both a divine gift (Ephesians 2:8–9) and a human responsibility.
4. Historical Shifts in Understanding Faith
Over time, the faith definition shifted in different traditions:
Early Church: Faith emphasized allegiance to Christ, expressed in baptism, confession, and discipleship.
Medieval Period: Faith became increasingly psychological, emphasizing internal certainty and less on public profession.
Reformation Theology: Protestant scholars highlighted faith as trust in God’s promises, distinguishing it from works, while still affirming neccesary obedience.
Roman Catholic Development: The Second Vatican Council described faith more fundamentally as entrusting oneself to God, emphasizing openness to divine self-revelation.
Despite these differences, Scripture consistently points to faith as a holistic response—trust, loyalty, and obedience rooted in God’s self-revelation.
5. Faith in Practice
To clarify the biblical faith definition, consider what faith is and what it is not:
Faith is:
Trust in God’s character (Psalm 9:10).
Confidence in His promises (Hebrews 10:23).
Obedience to His commands (Romans 1:5).
Endurance in trials (James 1:3).
Allegiance to Christ’s kingship (1 Corinthians 12:3).
Faith is not:
Blind belief without evidence.
Mere intellectual acknowledgment.
An emotional feeling of optimism.
A way to manipulate God for personal desires.
True faith involves the whole person—mind, heart, and body—in covenant loyalty. It is both belief and action, both assurance and obedience.
6. Faith, Faithfulness, and the Gospel
In both Hebrew and Greek, the word for “faith” (emunah / pistis) often carries the dual meaning of faith and faithfulness. This is crucial for a full faith definition. God is faithful, and He calls His people to respond with faithful allegiance.
The gospel reveals that salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), but this faith is not empty. It is trust in Jesus Christ as the risen Lord, enacted in obedience to him as King. To believe the gospel is to give allegiance to Christ’s reign, enduring in loyalty until the end (2 Timothy 4:7).
This means faith points forward to eschatological hope: believers trust not only in what Christ has already accomplished but also in the future fulfillment of God’s promises when Christ’s kingdom is revealed in fullness.
Conclusion
A biblical faith definition cannot be reduced to mere belief or inward confidence. Faith is saving allegiance—a threefold response of affirmation, confession, and obedience. It includes knowledge of God’s truth, acceptance of its reality, and trustful commitment to Christ as Lord.
Throughout Scripture, faith is the foundation of fellowship with God, the means of receiving His promises, and the path to endurance in a hostile world. Faith is both a divine gift and a human act, uniting belief with loyalty.
Ultimately, the faith definition is best summarized as covenantal trust in God through Christ, lived out in loyal obedience until the day his reign is fully revealed.
Bible Verses on Faith
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
“Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists.” (Hebrews 11:6)
“By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death.” (Hebrews 11:5)
“Abram believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
“The righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing.” (Ephesians 2:8)
“We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28)
“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.” (Romans 10:9)
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
