A Study Example: Faith

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Hebrews 6:2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Define terms:

Question: What does the word 'faith' mean?

Study Step #1

  • Find the Concordance Tab
  • Click the orange 'toggle' icon to unhide the Strong's numbers
  • Copy & Paste this verse into My Notes
  • Hebrews 6:1 Therefore G1352 leaving G863 (5631) the principles G746 of the doctrine G3056 of Christ G5547, let us go on G5342 (5747) unto G1909 perfection G5047; not G3361 laying G2598 (5734) again G3825 the foundation G2310 of repentance G3341 from G575 dead G3498 works G2041, and G2532 of faith G4102 toward G1909 God G2316,

Question: Can we better define 'faith' by its word family relationships?

Study Step #2

  • Go to the Greek Roots tab

Collect Scriptures

We now have defined the word 'faith' by Scriptural word relationships. Now we will take a look at how the Lord uses this word in the Scriptures.

Question: Where are all the places the word faith, G4102, is found in the Scriptures?

Study Step #3

  • Go to the Concordance Tab
  • Enter 4102.
  • Select G4102 (Greek 4102)
  • (Note: The following is a partial list of 'faith', G4102.)

    Matthew 8:10 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.

    Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

    Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

    Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

    Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

    Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

    Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

    Romans 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

    Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

    Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

    Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

    Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

    1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

    Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

    Galatians 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

    Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

    Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

    Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

    Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

    Hebrews 11:6 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.

    Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

    Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

    James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

    James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

    James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

    1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

    Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Question: What does faith mean from these Scriptures?

Hint: Sometimes it is helpful to rearrange an English prepositional phrase, (noun) of (noun), such as 'faith' of  'God', and thus read the phrase 'God's faith'.  This clarifies possession and is also consistent with the Greek text.

Examples:

'faith of Christ' to 'Christ's faith' Rev 14:12
'gift of God' to 'God's gift'  Eph 2:8
'commandments of God to 'God's commandments' Rev 14:12

Study Step #4

  • Ask questions from God's commentary concerning 'faith'.
  • As you read the above Scriptures, make a list of questions that each passage answers.

    Sample questions:

    1. What or who is the origin of our faith?
    2. How do we obtain faith?
    3. Does every person have equal amounts of faith?
    4. What does God think of a man that says he has faith, but his life does not show the effects of faith?
    5. What passages show a person of faith who survived a great trial and pleased  God?

Expand Your Search

Question: What do the surrounding Scriptures (context) tell me about the word faith?

Study Step #5

  • Go to the Interlinear Tab
  • Make a note of key words that are connected to faith in this verse.
  • Example: Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

    Substance: 5287
    Evidence: 1650

  • Questions that we might ask:

    1. This is a Spiritual equation: faith=substance. What does the word 'substance' mean?
    2. This is a Spiritual equation: faith=evidence. What does the word 'evidence' mean?
    3. How do the phrases 'things hoped for', and 'things not seen' reveal why persons of faith performed unusual tasks that demonstrated their faith and obedience toward God?
  • Examples from Hebrews 11

    What did they 'hope for' and what were the 'unseen things'?

    1. Noah built an Ark
    2. Abraham left his home not knowing where he was going
    3. Abraham offered up Isaac
    4. Moses refused the pleasures of sin and stood with his people Israel

Question: What do the Old Testament Scriptures teach us about faith?

For the Old Testament Scriptural study, follow the same steps above. If possible find a direct quote that is used in the New Testament. You then will know that there is a direct match between the Old and New Testament words.

A direct Match: G4102 = H530

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Matched with
Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Study Step #6

  • Find the Concordance Tab
  • Select: Habakkuk
  • Click the orange 'toggle' icon to unhide the Strong's numbers
  • Copy & Paste this verse into My Notes

    Example: Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul H5315 which is lifted up H6075 (8795) is not upright H3474 (H8804) in him: but the just H6662 shall live H2421 (H8799) by his faith H530.

    List all the passages in the Old Testament where faith, H530, is located.