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Fruit of the Spirit: Faith
August 26, 2017

We are several weeks into a study of the fruit of the spirit listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 and last week looked at goodness. Today we will consider what follows goodness; faith. Faith is translated from the Greek word transliterated as pistis, and is given the number 4102 by Strong's Biblical Concordance.

Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Throughout Hebrews 11, the Faith Chapter, pistis is the Greek word.

Hebrews 11:1-6
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

When John recorded the prophecies of Revelation and the persecution of those who keep the faith of Jesus, again it is pistis that is used in the Greek.

Revelation 14:12–13
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

The greatest faith, or pistis, that Jesus found during his ministry was with a Roman Centurian who knew that Jesus through his words would be able to heal his servant.

Matthew 8:5–10
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Faith, the Greek pistis, extends from goodness, gentleness, longsuffering, love, joy, and peace as a fruit of the holy spirit. As we live in God's love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness we can see the blessing of faith, a gift of God, in our life. Next week, we will continue this study and will consider meekness.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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