King James Bible Dictionary

Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Philippians 1:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests.

Faith is the result of teaching (Romans 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding. Assent to the truth is of the essence of faith, and the ultimate ground on which our assent to any revealed truth rests is the veracity of God.

Historical faith is the apprehension of and assent to certain statements which are regarded as mere facts of history.

Temporary faith is that state of mind which is awakened in men (e.g., Felix) by the exhibition of the truth and by the influence of religious sympathy, or by what is sometimes styled the common operation of the Holy Spirit.

Saving faith is so called because it has eternal life inseparably connected with it. It cannot be better defined than in the words of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism- "Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel."

The object of saving faith is the whole revealed Word of God. Faith accepts and believes it as the very truth most sure. But the special act of faith which unites to Christ has as its object the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 7:38; Acts 16:31). This is the specific act of faith by which a sinner is justified before God (Romans 3:22, 25; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9; John 3:16-36; Acts 10:43; 16:31). In this act of faith the believer appropriates and rests on Christ alone as Mediator in all his offices.

This assent to or belief in the truth received upon the divine testimony has always associated with it a deep sense of sin, a distinct view of Christ, a consenting will, and a loving heart, together with a reliance on, a trusting in, or resting in Christ. It is that state of mind in which a poor sinner, conscious of his sin, flees from his guilty self to Christ his Saviour, and rolls over the burden of all his sins on him. It consists chiefly, not in the assent given to the testimony of God in his Word, but in embracing with fiducial reliance and trust the one and only Saviour whom God reveals. This trust and reliance is of the essence of faith. By faith the believer directly and immediately appropriates Christ as his own. Faith in its direct act makes Christ ours. It is not a work which God graciously accepts instead of perfect obedience, but is only the hand by which we take hold of the person and work of our Redeemer as the only ground of our salvation.

Saving faith is a moral act, as it proceeds from a renewed will, and a renewed will is necessary to believing assent to the truth of God (1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Faith, therefore, has its seat in the moral part of our nature fully as much as in the intellectual. The mind must first be enlightened by divine teaching (John 6:44; Acts 13:48; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 1:17, 18) before it can discern the things of the Spirit.

Faith is necessary to our salvation (Mark 16:16), not because there is any merit in it, but simply because it is the sinner's taking the place assigned him by God, his falling in with what God is doing.

The warrant or ground of faith is the divine testimony, not the reasonableness of what God says, but the simple fact that he says it. Faith rests immediately on, "Thus saith the Lord." But in order to this faith the veracity, sincerity, and truth of God must be owned and appreciated, together with his unchangeableness. God's word encourages and emboldens the sinner personally to transact with Christ as God's gift, to close with him, embrace him, give himself to Christ, and take Christ as his. That word comes with power, for it is the word of God who has revealed himself in his works, and especially in the cross. God is to be believed for his word's sake, but also for his name's sake.

Faith in Christ secures for the believer freedom from condemnation, or justification before God; a participation in the life that is in Christ, the divine life (John 14:19; Romans 6:4-10; Ephesians 4:15, 16, etc.); "peace with God" (Romans 5:1); and sanctification (Acts 26:18; Galatians 5:6; Acts 15:9).

All who thus believe in Christ will certainly be saved (John 6:37, 40; 10:27, 28; Romans 8:1).

The faith=the gospel (Acts 6:7; Romans 1:5; Galatians 1:23; 1 Timothy 3:9; Jude 1:3).

General references
2 Samuel 22:31; Psalms 5:11; Psalms 7:1; Psalms 9:9-10; Psalms 18:30; Psalms 32:10; Psalms 33:18-19; Psalms 34:1-8; Psalms 34:22; Psalms 2:12; Psalms 36:7; Psalms 40:4; Psalms 64:10; Psalms 78:5-7; Psalms 84:5; Psalms 84:12; Psalms 112:5; Psalms 112:7-8; Psalms 118:8-9; Psalms 125:1; Psalms 147:11; Proverbs 3:5; Proverbs 14:26; Proverbs 22:19; Proverbs 28:25; Proverbs 29:25; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 10:20; Isaiah 14:32; Isaiah 26:3; Isaiah 30:15; Isaiah 57:13; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Jeremiah 39:18; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 9:22; Matthew 21:21-22; Mark 9:23-24; Mark 11:23-24; Luke 7:50; Luke 8:48-50; Luke 17:5; Luke 18:8; John 11:25-27; Acts 3:16; Acts 13:48; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 4:1-25; Romans 5:1; Romans 9:31-33; Romans 10:6-10; Romans 11:20; Romans 11:23; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Corinthians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 12:8-9; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Galatians 3:1-29; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:8; Ephesians 6:16; Colossians 1:23; Colossians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Timothy 6:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Hebrews 4:1-11; Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 6:7; Hebrews 6:12; Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 10:35; Hebrews 10:38-39; Hebrews 11:1-3; Hebrews 11:6; Hebrews 13:5-6; James 1:6; James 2:1-26; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 1:9; 1 Peter 1:21; 1 Peter 3:5; 1 John 3:21; 1 John 5:4; Revelation 22:7

Enjoined
Exodus 14:13; Deuteronomy 20:1; Numbers 21:34; Deuteronomy 1:21-31; Deuteronomy 3:2; Deuteronomy 3:22; Deuteronomy 7:17-21; Deuteronomy 31:23; Joshua 10:25; Judges 6:14-16; 2 Kings 19:6-7; 2 Chronicles 20:15; 2 Chronicles 20:17; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5-9; 2 Chronicles 15:7; 2 Chronicles 16:9; 2 Chronicles 20:20; 2 Chronicles 32:7-8; Nehemiah 4:14; Job 35:14; Psalms 4:5; Psalms 27:14; Psalms 31:19; Psalms 31:24; Psalms 37:3; Psalms 37:5; Psalms 37:7; Psalms 37:39-40; Psalms 55:22; Psalms 62:8; Psalms 115:9; Psalms 115:11; Psalms 130:7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 3:24-26; Proverbs 16:3; Isaiah 26:4; Isaiah 26:20; Isaiah 35:3-4; Isaiah 37:6; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 41:13-14; Isaiah 43:1-2; Isaiah 43:5; Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:2; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 50:10; Jeremiah 42:11; Jeremiah 49:11; Joel 2:21; Joel 3:16; Habakkuk 2:3-4; Zephaniah 3:16-17; Zech 8:9; Zech 9:12; Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 17:18-20; Mark 11:23-24; Mark 1:15; Mark 11:22; Luke 12:22-32; Luke 17:6

Exemplified
Genesis 6:22; Genesis 16:13; Genesis 24:7; Genesis 24:40; Genesis 48:21; Genesis 50:20; Genesis 50:24; Exodus 15:1-19; Exodus 18:11; Numbers 10:29; Numbers 14:8-9; Joshua 14:12; 1 Samuel 14:6; 1 Samuel 17:36-37; 1 Samuel 17:45-47; 2 Samuel 7:28; 2 Samuel 23:5; 2 Kings 18:5; 1 Chronicles 28:20; 2 Chronicles 13:10-11; 2 Chronicles 14:11; 2 Chronicles 20:12; 2 Chronicles 32:7-8; Ezra 8:22; Nehemiah 1:8-10; Nehemiah 2:20; Job 4:7-21; Job 5:8-9; Job 10:12; Job 13:15-16; Job 14:15; Job 16:19; Job 19:25-27; Job 23:6; Job 42:2; Psalms 3:3; Psalms 3:5-6; Psalms 4:3; Psalms 4:8; Psalms 6:8-9; Psalms 7:1; Psalms 7:10; Psalms 9:3-4; Psalms 11:1; Psalms 13:5; Psalms 16:1-2; Psalms 16:5; Psalms 16:8; Psalms 16:11; Psalms 17:6; Psalms 18:1-3; Psalms 18:18; Psalms 18:28-29; 2 Samuel 22:2-5; Psalms 20:5-7; Psalms 21:7; Psalms 22:4-5; Psalms 23:1-6; Psalms 25:1-2; Psalms 25:5; Psalms 25:15; Psalms 25:20; Psalms 26:1; Psalms 26:12; Psalms 27:1; Psalms 27:5-6; Psalms 27:10; Psalms 28:7; Psalms 31:1; Psalms 31:3-6; Psalms 31:14-15; Psalms 32:7; Psalms 33:20-22; Psalms 35:10; Psalms 38:9; Psalms 38:15; Psalms 39:7; Psalms 40:3-4; Psalms 40:17; Psalms 41:12; Psalms 42:5-6; Psalms 42:8; Psalms 43:5; Psalms 44:5; Psalms 44:8; Psalms 46:1-3; Psalms 46:5; Psalms 46:7; Psalms 47:3-4; Psalms 48:8; Psalms 48:14; Psalms 52:8; Psalms 54:4; Psalms 55:16-17; Psalms 56:3-4; Psalms 56:8-9; Psalms 56:11; Psalms 55:23; Psalms 57:1-3; Psalms 59:9-10; Psalms 59:17; Psalms 60:9-10; Psalms 60:12; Psalms 108:10-13; Psalms 61:2; Psalms 61:4; Psalms 61:6-7; Psalms 62:1; Psalms 62:5-7; Psalms 63:6-7; Psalms 66:9; Psalms 67:6; Psalms 69:19; Psalms 69:35-36; Psalms 70:5; Psalms 71:1; Psalms 71:3; Psalms 71:5-7; Psalms 71:14; Psalms 71:16; Psalms 71:20-21; Psalms 73:23-24; Psalms 73:26; Psalms 73:28; Psalms 74:12; Psalms 77:10-12; Psalms 86:2; Psalms 86:7; Psalms 89:18; Psalms 89:26; Psalms 90:1; Psalms 91:1-2; Psalms 91:9-10; Psalms 92:10; Psalms 92:15; Psalms 94:14-15; Psalms 94:17-18; Psalms 94:22; Psalms 102:13; Psalms 115:12-14; Psalms 116:7; Psalms 118:6-7; Psalms 118:10; Psalms 118:14; Psalms 118:17; Psalms 119:42-43; Psalms 119:57; Psalms 119:74; Psalms 119:81; Psalms 119:114

FAITH, noun [Latin fides, fido, to trust; Gr. to persuade, to draw towards any thing, to conciliate; to believe, to obey. In the Greek Lexicon of Hederic it is said, the primitive signification of the verb is to bind and draw or lead, as signifies a rope or cable. But this remark is a little incorrect. The sense of the verb, from which that of rope and binding is derived, is to strain, to draw, and thus to bind or make fast. A rope or cable is that which makes fast. Heb.]

1. Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence; the judgment that what another states or testifies is the truth. I have strong faith or no faith in the testimony of a witness, or in what a historian narrates.

2. The assent of the mind to the truth of a proposition advanced by another; belief, or probable evidence of any kind.

3. In theology, the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed. Simple belief of the scriptures, of the being and perfections of God, and of the existence, character and doctrines of Christ, founded on the testimony of the sacred writers, is called historical or speculative faith; a faith little distinguished from the belief of the existence and achievements of Alexander or of Cesar.

4. Evangelical, justifying, or saving faith is the assent of the mind to the truth of divine revelation, on the authority of God's testimony, accompanied with a cordial assent of the will or approbation of the heart; an entire confidence or trust in God's character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of the will to his guidance, and dependence on his merits for salvation. In other words, that firm belief of God's testimony, and of the truth of the gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation.

Being justified by faith Romans 5:1.

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:1.

For we walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7.

With the heart man believeth to righteousness. Romans 10:6.

The faith of the gospel is that emotion of the mind, which is called trust or confidence, exercised towards the moral character of God, and particularly of the Savior.

FAITH is an affectionate practical confidence in the testimony of God.

FAITH is an affectionate practical confidence in the testimony of God.

FAITH is a firm, cordial belief in the veracity of God, in all the declarations of his word; or a full and affectionate confidence in the certainty of those things which God has declared, and because he has declared them.

5. The object of belief; a doctrine or system of doctrines believed; a system of revealed truths received by christians.

They heard only, that he who persecuted us in times past, now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. Galatians 1:23.

6. The promises of God, or his truth and faithfulness.

shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? Rom 3.

7. An open profession of gospel truth.

Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. Rom 1.

8. A persuasion or belief of the lawfulness of things indifferent.

Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Rom 14.

9. Faithfulness; fidelity; a strict adherence to duty and fulfillment of promises.

Her failing, while her faith to me remains, I would conceal.

Children in whom is no faith Deuteronomy 32:20.

10. Word or honor pledged; promise given; fidelity. He violated his plighted faith

For you alone I broke my faith with injured Palamon.

11. Sincerity; honesty; veracity; faithfulness. We ought in good faith to fulfill all our engagements.

12. Credibility or truth. Unusual.]

The faith of the foregoing narrative.

FA'ITH-BREACH, noun Breach of fidelity; disloyalty; perfidy.

FA'ITHED, adjective Honest; sincere. [Not used.]

As a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy (Acts 10:45; 16:1; 2 Corinthians 6:15; Colossians 1:2; 1 Timothy 4:3, 12; 5:16; 6:2; Titus 1:6; Ephesians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 4:17, etc.).

It is used also of God's word or covenant as true and to be trusted (Psalms 119:86, 138; Isaiah 25:1; 1 Timothy 1:15; Revelation 21:5; 22:6, etc.).

FA'ITHFUL, adjective

1. Firm in adherence to the truth and to the duties of religion.

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Revelation 2:10.

2. Firmly adhering to duty; of true fidelity; loyal; true to allegiance; as a faithful subject.

3. constant in the performance of duties or services; exact in attending to commands; as a faithful servant.

4. Observant of compact, treaties, contracts, vows or other engagements; true to one's word. A government should be faithful to its treaties; individuals, to their word.

5. True; exact; in conformity to the letter and spirit; as a faithful execution of a will.

6. True to the marriage covenant; as a faithful wife or husband.

7. Conformable to truth; as a faithful narrative or representation.

8. Constant; not fickle; as a faithful lover or friend.

9. True; worthy of belief. 2 Timothy 2:2.

FA'ITHFULLY, adverb

1. In a faithful manner; with good faith.

2. With strict adherence to allegiance and duty; applied to subjects.

3. With strict observance of promises, vows, covenants or duties; without failure of performance; honestly; exactly. The treaty or contract was faithfully executed.

4. Sincerely; with strong assurances; he faithfully promised.

5. Honestly; truly; without defect, fraud, trick or ambiguity. The battle was faithfully described or represented.

They suppose the nature of things to be faithfully signified by their names.

6. Confidently; steadily.

Exhortation to

General references
Psalms 12:1; Psalms 31:23; Proverbs 20:6; Proverbs 28:20; Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:45-47; Luke 12:42-44; Matthew 25:14-23; Luke 19:12-27; Luke 16:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Revelation 2:10
Obedience, Enjoined; Perseverance; Minister, A Sacred Teacher, Faithful; Reproof, Faithfulness in

Instances of:

Abraham
Galatians 3:9

Moses
Hebrews 3:5

David
2 Samuel 22:22-25

Elijah
1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 19:14

Abijah
2 Chronicles 13:4-20

Jehoshaphat
2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Job
Job 1:21-22; Job 2:9-10
Hezekiah; Josiah; Joash; Daniel

Of God
God, Faithfulness of

FA'ITHFULNESS, noun

1. Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty; as the faithfulness of a subject.

2. Truth; veracity; as the faithfulness of God.

3. Strict adherence to injunctions, and to the duties of a station; as the faithfulness of servants or ministers.

4. Strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; constancy in affection; as the faithfulness of a husband or wife.

FA'ITHLESS, adjective

1. Without belief in the revealed truths of religion; unbelieving.

O faithless generation. Math 18.

2. Not believing; not giving credit to.

3. Not adhering to allegiance or duty; disloyal; perfidious; treacherous; as a faithless subject.

4. Not true to a master or employer; neglectful; as a faithless servant.

5. Not true to the marriage covenant; false; as a faithless husband or wife.

6. Not observant of promises.

7. Deceptive.

Yonder faithless phantom.

FA'ITHLESSNESS, noun

1. Unbelief, as to revealed religion.

2. Perfidy; treachery; disloyalty; as in subjects.

3. Violation of promises or covenants; inconstancy; as of husband or wife.