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Greek · Strong's G4102

πίστις

pístis (PIS-tis)

noun, feminine

Faith — confident trust in God and his promises, especially in Christ.

Pístis is the New Testament word for faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines it as 'the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' It is more than intellectual assent (the demons have that, James 2:19) — it is settled, personal trust that rests its full weight on God's character and promise.

In Paul's letters pístis is the receiving instrument of justification (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16). It is also the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8) and the abiding companion of hope and love in 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Common English renderings

  • faith
  • belief
  • trust
  • fidelity

Key verses

"For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith."

Romans 1:17
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"So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."

Romans 10:17
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"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me."

Galatians 2:20
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"for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory."

Ephesians 2:8-9
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"Now faith is assurance ofthingshoped for, a conviction of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1
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