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    Faith

    πίστις (pistis)

    Trust, belief, and confident assurance in God and His promises.

    Greek
    Strong's G4102
    Pronunciation: PIS-tis
    Quick Answer

    Pistis is the Greek word for faith, meaning trust, belief, and confident assurance. It is the foundational virtue of the Christian life, described in Hebrews 11:1 as the substance of things hoped for.

    "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." — Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    Hebrews 11:1

    “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
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    Romans 10:17

    “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
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    Ephesians 2:8

    “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
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    Strong's Concordance

    Strong's G4102 — Faith (πίστις (pistis))

    Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where πίστις (pistis) appears.

    Open Strong's G4102

    Etymology and Original Meaning

    Pistis derives from the Greek root peitho, meaning 'to persuade' or 'to be persuaded.' In classical Greek, it conveyed trustworthiness and reliability. In the New Testament, pistis takes on a deeply personal meaning — it is not merely intellectual agreement but a wholehearted reliance on God's character and promises.

    Faith in the Old Testament

    While pistis is a Greek word, the Hebrew equivalent is emunah, meaning faithfulness and steadfastness. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). The Old Testament consistently portrays faith as trust expressed through obedience and patient waiting on God's timing.

    Faith in the New Testament

    Jesus repeatedly commended faith and rebuked its absence. He told the centurion, 'I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel' (Matthew 8:10). Paul made faith central to his theology: justification comes through faith, not works of the law. Hebrews 11 presents a gallery of faith heroes who acted on what they believed without seeing the outcome.

    Living by Faith Today

    Faith is not passive — it is active trust that shapes decisions, endures trials, and produces perseverance. James writes that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Believers are called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), trusting God's purposes even amid uncertainty.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does faith mean in the Bible?

    Faith (pistis) means confident trust in God's character, promises, and saving work. It involves believing what God has revealed and acting on that belief.

    How is faith different from belief?

    In biblical usage, faith encompasses belief but goes further — it includes trust, commitment, and faithfulness. Demons believe and tremble (James 2:19), but saving faith involves surrender to God.

    Which Bible verse uses the word "Faith"?

    Hebrews 11:1 — "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (KJV). It also appears in Romans 10:17, Ephesians 2:8.

    Why does the Greek word behind "Faith" matter?

    Pistis derives from the Greek root peitho, meaning 'to persuade' or 'to be persuaded.' In classical Greek, it conveyed trustworthiness and reliability. English uses one word, "Faith", where the Greek πίστις (pistis) carries the fuller sense: trust, belief, and confident assurance in god and his promises.

    Related Words

    Hope
    Grace
    Justification
    Salvation

    Related Reading

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    Word Meaning

    Faith (πίστις (Pistis))

    Complete trust, confidence, and belief in God and His promises

    Strong's

    Strong's G4102 — Faith

    πίστις (Pistis) • Complete trust, confidence, and belief in God and His promises

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)

    Life, atonement, and covenant with God.

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of Fire in a Dream (KJV)

    God's presence, purification, and judgment.

    Devotional

    Hebrews 11:1 — Meaning & Devotional

    Faith

    Devotional

    Hebrews 13:8 — Meaning & Devotional

    God's Faithfulness

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