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Obedience of faith is a phrase that appears in the Bible, in St. Paul's Letter to the Romans. The phrase is used by Paul at the beginning and end of the letter, and it is considered one of the most interesting and challenging phrases in the New Testament.
The phrase refers to the response of faith and trust in God, which involves an active response of obedience to God's will. It is understood as an act of surrendering one's will to God and living out the teachings of Christ, following His commandments, and cooperating with God's grace. This concept is further supported by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states that faith involves completely submitting one's intellect and will to God.
The obedience of faith can be seen as having two parts: obedience and faith. Obedience here implies hearing and committing to God's will, while faith involves trust and belief in God. According to some interpretations, the phrase suggests that obedience produces faith, while others argue that faith produces obedience. Ultimately, the phrase highlights the interconnectedness of obedience and faith in the Christian faith, where one's actions and beliefs are intertwined.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Faith is obedience to the gospel command to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation | Whenever anyone believes in Jesus, he is obeying Him |
| Joyful obedience is the faithful response to the gospel and the right response to God’s call to salvation | If we love Christ, we joyfully obey Him |
| Gospel obedience is fueled by love and gratitude | Gospel obedience is not a duteous chore |
| Obedient faith hears God’s word | Before you can respond in faith to the Lord, you have to hear what He is saying |
| Obedient faith acts on God’s word | Obedient faith takes action |
| Obedient faith lives as a pilgrim | Obedient faith is on a journey to a better land |
| Obedient faith worships | Obedient faith publicly proclaims their faith |
| The obedience of faith is both an initial and an ongoing surrender | The obedience of faith is a trusting submission to Jesus the Lord |
What You'll Learn
Obedience of faith is a prompt obedience
The phrase "obedience of faith" is used by Paul in his letter to the Romans, in Romans 1:5 and Romans 16:26. It is a complex phrase, and its interpretation is not entirely settled. However, it is clear that obedience and faith are intimately linked.
The nature of obedience and faith
The word "obedience" comes from the Latin "obedire", meaning "to hear through". This implies that the person obeying is committed to listening to the will of the person they are obeying. In the Christian context, this means that faith is not passive, but involves actively listening to and obeying God.
The relationship between obedience and faith
There are two ways to interpret the relationship between obedience and faith:
- Obedience produces faith.
- Faith produces obedience.
The Greek phrase used in Romans can be translated as "obedience of faith" or "obedience of faithfulness". The word "faith" is in the genitive case, which suggests that the second interpretation is correct: obedience is contingent on faith. This is supported by other parts of the Bible, such as Romans 1:17, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, and Romans 15:18, which show that faith in Christ produces obedience.
The nature of saving faith
Saving faith involves both initial repentance and ongoing obedience. At the start of the Christian life, repentance and faith are a form of obedience to God's command to repent. This is shown in Acts 17:30 and Romans 6:17. Ongoing faith is equivalent to ongoing obedience, as described in Romans 6:12, 6:16, and 6:18. This obedience is expressed through submission to Christ's apostles and their message.
The benefits of faith
Faith in God brings us under the gracious rule of Christ, and we can trust that we will experience the blessings of his saving righteousness. This is described as "bowing the knee in trusting submission to Jesus the Lord".
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Obedience of faith is a far-seeing obedience
The Nature of Obedience of Faith
The phrase "obedience of faith" appears at the beginning and end of the book of Romans in the Bible, highlighting its importance. It refers to a joyful and faithful response to God's call to salvation, which is rooted in love and gratitude rather than fear. This obedience is not a passive belief but involves actively living out the teachings of Christ and cooperating with God's grace.
A Prompt and Exact Obedience
Obedience of faith calls for prompt action. Delaying obedience is seen as disobedience. Abraham, when called by God, promptly obeyed and left his father's house, demonstrating his trust and submission to God's command.
A Practical and Far-Seeing Obedience
Obedience of faith is also practical. It involves taking concrete steps to follow God's commands, even when the path forward is uncertain. Abraham, for example, did not know where he was going, but he obeyed God's call to go to a new land. This kind of obedience looks beyond immediate rewards and is motivated by the hope of a future inheritance.
A Trusting and Submissive Obedience
At its core, obedience of faith is about trusting submission to God. It involves surrendering one's will to God and recognising His sovereign right to rule. This submission is not out of fear but out of a deep love and desire to please God. It is an obedience that endures through trials and temptations, remaining steadfast even when faced with uncertainty or potential consequences.
A Continuous and Lifelong Obedience
Obedience of faith is not a one-time act but a lifelong commitment. It is a continuous obedience that permeates every area of life. It involves ongoing repentance from sin and a daily submission to God's will. This obedience brings glory to God and is a reflection of one's saving faith.
In conclusion, obedience of faith is a far-seeing obedience that requires prompt, exact, and practical actions. It is rooted in a deep trust in God and a submission to His will, resulting in a lifelong commitment to follow His commands. This obedience brings glory to God and is a true reflection of one's faith.
Obedience of faith is a trusting submission to Jesus the Lord
The obedience of faith is a response of trust and obedience to God's revelation. It is not a passive belief or assent to certain truths, but it involves an active response of obedience to our best understanding of God's will. It is not divorced from works or obedience to God's commandments.
Obedient faith hears God's word and acts on it. It is a prompt, exact, practical, and far-seeing obedience. It is a surrender of one's will to God. It is not self-induced righteousness by way of legal works, but a hearing of faith.
The obedience of faith is both an initial and an ongoing surrender, bringing glory to God in this life and the life to come.
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Obedience of faith is a glad slavery to righteousness
The phrase "obedience of faith" is used by Paul in his letter to the Romans, at the beginning and the end of the epistle. In Romans 1:5, Paul writes about the goal of his apostleship, which is to bring about "the obedience of faith" all over the world, for the sake of Jesus' name. In Romans 16:25-27, he reiterates that the purpose of his gospel is to bring about "the obedience of faith" among all nations, bringing glory to God.
The phrase "obedience of faith" can be understood as bowing the knee in trusting submission to Jesus as Lord, both at the start and throughout the Christian life. It is a glad slavery to righteousness, where believers willingly submit to God's commandments and will. This obedience is not a burdensome chore but a true delight, fueled by love and gratitude towards God.
The obedience of faith begins with faith in God and His commandments. It is not a passive belief but an active response, requiring believers to listen and commit to carrying out God's will. This involves living out the teachings of Christ, following His commandments, and cooperating with God's grace.
The obedience of faith is not a one-time act but an ongoing surrender and submission to God's rule. It is a continuous process of obeying God's commands and conforming to His image. This obedience stems from a heart that loves and desires to please God, recognizing that He is sovereign and has the right to command our obedience.
The obedience of faith is not about earning merit with God but is a response to God's grace and love. It is through our faith and obedience that we participate in Christ's saving work and grow in holiness. Our faith is made alive and genuine through our obedience and good works.
The obedience of faith is, therefore, a joyful and willing submission to God's will, motivated by our love for Him. It is a lifelong journey of growing in holiness and conforming to the image of Christ, our Elder Brother.
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Obedience of faith is a response of trust and obedience to God’s revelation
Obedience of faith is a response of trust and obedience to God's revelation
Obedience of faith is a response of trust and obedience to God's revelation. It is a concept found in the Bible, specifically in St. Paul's Letter to the Romans, one of the most complex books of the New Testament. The phrase "obedience of faith" appears at the beginning and end of the letter (Romans 1:5 and 16:25-27), highlighting its importance.
Understanding Obedience and Faith
The word "obedience" comes from the Latin "oboedire," meaning "to hear through." It implies a commitment to listen and follow the will of the one giving instructions. In the context of Christianity, obedience refers to submitting to God's will and obeying His commandments.
Faith, on the other hand, is often associated with trust and belief in God. It involves intellectual acceptance of God's existence and revelation, but it also requires a surrender of one's will to God. This means that faith is not passive but involves an active response of obedience to God's commandments.
The Relationship Between Obedience and Faith
The concept of "obedience of faith" highlights the interplay between obedience and faith. It suggests that faith is not just a passive belief but that it leads to action and obedience. Saving faith is an act of obedience, and joyful obedience is the faithful response to the gospel and God's call to salvation.
When we have faith in Christ, we are obeying His command to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; 17:30). Our faith in Christ is an act of submission to His lordship and a recognition of His authority. This faith then leads to ongoing obedience throughout our Christian lives.
The Nature of Obedience of Faith
Obedience of faith can be understood as a trusting submission to Jesus as Lord. It involves bowing the knee to His authority and surrendering to His rule. This submission is not a one-time act but an ongoing process, both at the start of our Christian journey and throughout our lives.
Obedient faith hears God's word and acts on it. It involves living as pilgrims and worshippers, proclaiming God's glory to the world. It is not just about believing certain doctrines but about obeying God's commandments and following Christ's teachings.
The Results of Obedience of Faith
When we practice obedience of faith, we bring glory to God (Romans 16:27). Our obedient lives, conformed to Christ, display God's greatness and make Him known to the world. Additionally, through our obedience, we participate in the saving work of Christ and grow in holiness (Romans 6:16, 18).
Furthermore, obedience of faith is not about earning our way to heaven through good works. Instead, it is about doing good works because of our trust in Jesus and our obedience to His commandments. These good works are a natural outflow of our faith and our desire to please God.
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Frequently asked questions
"Obedience of faith" refers to the act of submitting to God's will and command, as expressed in the Gospel. It is a combination of belief and action, where one's faith in God leads to obedience to His commandments and teachings.
Obedience of faith recognises that faith is not passive but involves actively obeying God's commandments. It is not enough to simply believe or give intellectual assent to certain truths; one must also live out their faith through their actions.
Faith is the foundation of obedience. It is the catalyst that leads to obedience and shapes one's actions. Saving faith is an act of obedience, and joyful obedience is the faithful response to the Gospel.
Obedient faith involves hearing and acting on God's word. It requires surrendering one's will to God and trusting in His revelation. It also means living as a pilgrim, worshipping God, and striving for holiness through obedience.
