Understanding Faith: From Faith To Faith, What Does It Mean?

what does from faith for faith mean

The phrase from faith to faith is an expression found in some versions of Romans 1:17, such as the King James Version and the New American Standard Bible. The English Standard Version uses the wording from faith for faith. The New International Version offers a clearer meaning: by faith from first to last. The New Living Translation provides the most transparent rendering: from start to finish by faith.

The phrase has been debated, with several plausible explanations proposed. One interpretation relates to the origin of faith: From the faith of God, who makes the offer of salvation, to the faith of men, who receive it. In simpler terms, Salvation comes from God's faith (or faithfulness) to our faith. Another view is that it speaks of a progressive, growing development of faith from one degree of faith to another.

Characteristics Values
Definition Trusting in something you cannot explicitly prove
Trusting in God and his promises
Trusting in God from start to finish
Trusting in God from the first degree of faith to the last
Trusting in God from the first day to the very last
Trusting in God's faithfulness
Trusting in the spreading of faith through evangelism
Trusting in the progressive, growing development of faith
Intellectual assent Believing something to be true
Trust Relying on the fact that something is true

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The origin of faith

The concept of faith has evolved over centuries, with the term finding its roots in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root word '*bheidh-', which signifies trust, confidence, and persuasion. The Latin word 'fides' is derived from this root, and it encompasses meanings such as trust, faith, and confidence.

In the Roman world, 'faith' was understood without any particular association with gods or religious beliefs. Instead, it was seen as a paradoxical set of reciprocal ideas, where one party willingly surrenders to another who could harm them but chooses not to, thereby entrusting and confiding in them.

The term 'faith' in the English language emerged in the 13th century, evolving from Anglo-French and Old French forms like 'feid' and 'feit'. In the context of religion, faith is often described as "belief in God or the doctrines or teachings of a religion." It is also associated with confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept.

According to the Bible, faith is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This implies that faith involves putting your trust in God and having confidence that He will fulfill His promises. It is about relying completely on who Jesus is and what He has done for us to be made right with God.

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The meaning of from faith to faith in Romans 1:17

The phrase "from faith to faith" is found in some versions of Romans 1:17, such as the King James Version, the New American Standard Bible, and the Christian Standard Bible. The English Standard Version uses the wording "from faith for faith" instead. The New International Version translates the phrase as "by faith from first to last", while the New Living Translation offers "from start to finish by faith".

The phrase is part of the following verse:

> For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).

The meaning of the phrase has been debated, with several plausible explanations proposed. One interpretation relates the phrase to the origin of faith: "From the faith of God, who makes the offer of salvation, to the faith of men, who receive it." In simpler terms, "Salvation comes from God’s faith (or faithfulness) to our faith." This was Karl Barth’s impression of the phrase.

Another interpretation considers the spreading of faith through evangelism: "From the faith of one believer to another." A third and widely accepted understanding is that the phrase speaks of a progressive, growing development of faith "from one degree of faith to another", similar to the "ever-increasing glory" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Another view is that Paul meant that from the very beginning of our journey of faith until the very end, we (the righteous) must live by faith. Whether we are new followers of Christ or seasoned, mature believers, we must trust God "from start to finish" and rely on His mighty power to change our lives and the lives of those we encounter.

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Faith in God and his promises

In the context of religion, faith is often understood as "belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion". It implies confidence or trust in a higher power, even when one cannot explicitly prove its existence. This type of faith goes beyond intellectual agreement and requires a deep conviction and reliance on God's promises.

The Bible provides examples of individuals who exemplified faith in God and his promises. One notable example is Abram's encounter with God in Genesis 15. When God promised Abram countless descendants, Abram "believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). The Apostle Paul elaborates on this, writing, "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised" (Romans 4:20-21). Abram's faith in God's promise demonstrates the central role of trust and confidence in a religious context.

Another example that illustrates the importance of faith in God's promises is found in Romans 1:16-17, where the apostle Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith." Here, Paul emphasizes that salvation and righteousness before God are achieved through faith in Christ, rather than through human merit or works.

The concept of "from faith to faith" or "from faith for faith" in Romans 1:17 has been interpreted in several ways. One understanding is that it refers to the origin of faith, from God's faithfulness to our response of faith. Another interpretation suggests that it refers to the spreading of faith from one believer to another. A third view is that it speaks of a progressive growth of faith, from one degree to another.

In conclusion, faith in God and his promises involves a deep trust and confidence in God's ability to fulfil his promises. It requires a personal commitment and reliance on God, leading to a transformative relationship with him. This faith is not blind but is based on the conviction of the mind and is evident in the lives of those who truly believe.

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The role of faith in salvation

The Bible makes it clear that salvation is based upon faith alone. However, faith is not passive; it is not enough to simply believe in God or Jesus, or even to believe in the facts of the gospel. Saving faith is a holistic phenomenon that involves the entire person: body, soul and spirit. It is a firm conviction and trust in the person and work of Christ.

Saving faith is a gift from God, and it is God's power that brings about salvation. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

However, this does not mean that behaviour doesn't matter. As Paul also writes in Romans 6:1-3, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" Saving faith will be expressed through our actions and by the public declaration of our heartfelt beliefs. James 2:17-18 and 2:20 state: "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead"... You foolish person! Are you willing to learn that faith apart from works is useless?"

The Bible also makes clear that faith is not just intellectual agreement. Genuine New Testament faith means getting in the wheelbarrow, not just standing on the sidelines and saying, "I believe." This is illustrated by the story of the 19th-century daredevil Clifford Calverly, who pushed a wheelbarrow over Niagara Falls. After performing this feat, he asked the crowd, "Who wants to climb in?" Genuine faith means getting in the wheelbarrow and entrusting yourself to God.

So, what is the role of faith in salvation? Faith is essential for rescue from condemnation. It is our trust in Jesus' ability to deliver us from the ruinous effects of our sin. Jesus is the object of our faith and the initiator of the saving power, but salvation does not occur apart from faith.

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The development of faith

The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11:1 as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This definition encompasses two key aspects: intellectual assent and trust. Intellectual assent involves acknowledging and agreeing with the facts declared in the Bible about Jesus Christ. However, true faith goes beyond this intellectual understanding. It requires us to fully rely on and entrust ourselves to Jesus Christ for our salvation. This is often illustrated by the example of sitting in a chair. We can intellectually assent to the chair's ability to support us, but true faith is demonstrated when we actually sit in the chair, trusting that it will hold us.

As our faith grows, we move from simply believing in the doctrines of our religion to having a confident assurance of the things we hope for. This assurance is not based on our own strength or understanding but on the conviction that God is faithful and will fulfill His promises. It is a journey of increasing reliance on God and a growing understanding of His character and nature.

Frequently asked questions

The phrase "from faith to faith" is an expression found in some versions of Romans 1:17, such as the King James Version, the New American Standard Bible, and the Christian Standard Bible. The phrase is thought to mean "from the faith of God, who makes the offer of salvation, to the faith of men who receive it". In other words, "Salvation comes from God's faith (or faithfulness) to our faith".

The English Standard Version of the Bible uses the wording "from faith for faith" instead of "from faith to faith". This phrase is understood to mean "by faith from first to last" or "from start to finish by faith".

Hebrews 11:1 in the Bible defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen". Faith in the Bible refers to putting your trust in God and having confidence that he will fulfill his promises.

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