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Biblical theme · Faith and spiritual life

Faith in the Bible

Faith as trust in God and his promises: Abraham believing, the examples of Hebrews 11, faith in Jesus’ healings, faith with doubt, and faith shown in action.

Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition

Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.

Introduction

In Scripture faith is trust in God and in what he has promised. Abraham believed the LORD, and it was counted to him as righteousness; Hebrews describes faith as assurance of things hoped for. Genesis 15:6Hebrews 11:1

Faith is shown in how people live: in obedience, perseverance and love. The Bible also shows faith mixed with doubt, and faith that does not always bring rescue in this life. James 2:17Mark 9:24Hebrews 11:35–39

Central passages

  • Genesis 15:1–6

    God promises Abram descendants as many as the stars; Abram believes, and it is counted to him as righteousness.

  • Romans 4:18–22

    Paul describes Abraham hoping against hope, not weakening in faith though he was about a hundred years old.

  • Hebrews 11:1–7

    Faith is assurance of things hoped for; without faith it is impossible to please God.

  • Matthew 17:20

    Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.

  • James 2:14–26

    Faith without works is dead; Abraham and Rahab showed their faith by what they did.

  • Galatians 5:6

    What counts is “faith working through love”.

Across Scripture

Each passage is labelled with why it belongs: central teaching, narrative example, supporting passage, comparison, contrast or interpretive connection.

Abraham believed

Abraham is the first great example. Paul and Hebrews both return to him.

  • Genesis 15:1–6 Central teaching

    God promises Abram descendants as many as the stars; Abram believes, and it is counted to him as righteousness.

  • Romans 4:18–22 Central teaching

    Paul describes Abraham hoping against hope, not weakening in faith though he was about a hundred years old.

  • Hebrews 11:8–19 Narrative example

    Abraham went out not knowing where he was going, and offered Isaac, reasoning that God could raise the dead.

“By faith”

Hebrews 11 defines faith and then lists people who acted by faith, some delivered and some not.

  • Hebrews 11:1–7 Central teaching

    Faith is assurance of things hoped for; without faith it is impossible to please God.

  • Hebrews 11:32–40 Supporting passage

    Some through faith escaped the sword; others were tortured and killed. All were commended for their faith.

Faith in the Gospels

Jesus often comments on the faith of the people who come to him, including outsiders, and meets weak faith with patience.

  • Mark 5:25–34 Narrative example

    A woman ill for twelve years touches Jesus’ clothes; he tells her, “Your faith has made you well.”

  • Matthew 8:5–13 Narrative example

    A Roman centurion trusts Jesus’ word to heal from a distance; Jesus marvels at his faith.

  • Mark 9:20–24 Narrative example

    A father cries, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”, and Jesus heals his son.

  • Matthew 17:20 Central teaching

    Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.

Faith that works

Paul and James both insist that real faith shows itself, though they use their words with different emphases.

  • James 2:14–26 Central teaching

    Faith without works is dead; Abraham and Rahab showed their faith by what they did.

  • Galatians 5:6 Central teaching

    What counts is “faith working through love”.

  • Ephesians 2:8–10 Comparison

    Saved through faith, not works, and created for good works: compare with James.

Trust in hard times

Faith in the psalms and prophets is often trust held in fear or loss.

  • Psalm 56:3–4 Supporting passage

    “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.”

  • Habakkuk 3:17–19 Supporting passage

    Though the fig tree does not blossom and the fields yield no food, “yet I will rejoice in the LORD”.

Stories that show this theme

People associated with this theme

Distinctions and questions of interpretation

Faith and certainty
The father’s cry “I believe; help my unbelief” is answered, not rejected. Faith and doubt can sit together. Mark 9:24
Faith and works
Paul says a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law; James says a person is justified by works and not by faith only. They address different questions, and Christians have explained the relationship in different ways. Romans 3:28James 2:24
Faith and outcomes
Hebrews 11 lists people of faith who were not rescued in this life. Faith is not a guarantee of a particular outcome. Hebrews 11:35–39

Related themes

Life situations

Questions for reflection

Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.

  1. What does Abram have to go on when he believes in Genesis 15:6?
  2. What do the people in the Gospel healings do that Jesus calls faith?
  3. How do Paul and James use the example of Abraham differently (Romans 4; James 2)?
  4. Hebrews 11:39 says some “did not receive the promise”. How does that shape what faith means?

Study guides

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