ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA GRIEGA
Pisteuō (πιστεύω) — Believe in the Bible
πιστεύω (pisteuō) is the central Greek verb for faith in the New Testament, expressing trust, credence, and personal reliance—most importantly on Christ.
Significado de la palabra
πιστεύω fundamentally means 'to have faith in' or 'to believe.' In the New Testament it ranges from simple credence—accepting a statement as true—through to deep personal trust and reliance on a person, especially on Christ. The lexicon notes that in the Greek Old Testament (LXX) it chiefly translates the Hebrew verb אמן (�āman) in its causative stem.
The verb takes several grammatical constructions in the New Testament: absolutely (without an object, e.g., Matthew 24:23, 26), with the dative of person (to believe what someone says), with the accusative of thing, with �τι (that), and with prepositions—ἐν, εἰς, and ἐπί—that express personal trust and reliance as distinct from mere agreement with a claim.
A secondary transitive sense, 'to entrust,' also appears (e.g., Luke 16:11; John 2:24). In the passive, πιστεύω means 'to be entrusted with' something, as in Romans 3:2 and 1 Corinthians 9:17. The present participle οἱ πιστεύοντες ('the ones believing') becomes a fixed title for believers.
Uso en las Escrituras
In the Gospels, πιστεύω often frames responses to Jesus' words and works. The centurion's faith brings healing (Matthew 8:13); the bleeding woman and the synagogue ruler are told 'only believe' (Mark 5:36); a desperate father cries, 'I believe; help thou mine unbelief' (Mark 9:24). These examples show faith as both conviction and ongoing trust.
The Johannine writings frequently pair πιστεύω with εἰς τὸ ὄνομα ('into the name'), expressing saving trust in Christ (John 1:12; 2:23; 3:18; 1 John 5:13). The passive sense 'to be entrusted with' is prominent in Paul's discussion of stewardship: the oracles of God were entrusted to the Jews (Romans 3:2), and the gospel to Paul (1 Corinthians 9:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:4).
La palabra en detalle
- G4100 πιστεύω is the verbal counterpart to the noun πίστις (pistis, faith). In the Greek Old Testament it largely renders אמן (ʾāman). Construction matters for meaning: absolute or dative uses tend toward credence, while the prepositional phrases ἐν, εἰς, and ἐπί mark personal trust in a person.
Versículos de ejemplo
- Matthew 8:13 Jesus commends the centurion's faith as the basis for healing, linking belief to immediate, tangible outcome.
- Mark 9:24 The father's cry combines faith ('I believe') with an honest plea ('help my unbelief'), revealing belief as a process, not a static state.
- Mark 5:36 Jesus' instruction 'only believe' shows faith as the singular condition for receiving his power in a crisis.
- Matthew 24:23 An absolute use of πιστεύω warns against crediting false messianic claims—belief here is simply 'to accept as true.'
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the basic meaning of πιστεύω?
It means 'to believe' or 'to have faith in.' It covers simple credence, personal trust, and, in a secondary sense, 'to entrust.'
Does the construction of πιστεύω change its meaning?
Yes. Absolute or dative uses tend to mean 'credit, accept as true,' while the prepositions ἐν, εἰς, and ἐπί emphasize personal reliance, especially on Christ.
Is πιστεύω ever used in the sense of 'entrust'?
Yes. It can take a direct object plus dative meaning 'to entrust something to someone,' and in the passive 'to be entrusted with' (e.g., Romans 3:2; 1 Corinthians 9:17).