ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA GRIEGA
Pistis — Meaning and Biblical Usage
πίστις (pístis) refers to faith or trust, especially reliance on God or Christ, and can also denote faithfulness and the content of belief.
Significado de la palabra
πίστις primarily denotes persuasion, belief, trust, or confidence. In the New Testament, it often refers to religious faith directed toward God or Christ and reliance upon Christ for salvation.
The term can describe the personal act of trusting, the conviction that holds faith, and the religious truth or system in which that faith is placed. It may also mean fidelity or faithfulness when used of God or of faithful conduct.
Uso en las Escrituras
In the Gospel examples, faith is repeatedly connected with Jesus’ response: he commends great faith in Matthew 8:10 and Matthew 15:28, tells a woman that her faith has made her whole in Matthew 9:22, and links healing to faith in Matthew 9:29. Mark 11:22 summarizes the intended relation directly: “Have faith in God.”
The word is not limited to intellectual agreement. The passages present faith as trust directed toward God or Christ, while Matthew 23:23 associates faith with justice and mercy as matters of the law that should not be neglected.
La palabra en detalle
- G4102 πίστις (pístis) includes belief, trust, confidence, religious conviction, reliance on Christ, constancy in professing that faith, and the Gospel truth believed. Its passive sense can include fidelity or faithfulness.
Versículos de ejemplo
- Matthew 8:10 Jesus identifies the centurion’s faith as exceptionally great, showing the New Testament use of πίστις for strong trust in his word concerning spiritual things.
- Matthew 9:22 Jesus connects the woman’s faith directly with her being made whole, presenting faith as trust that receives his saving response.
- Matthew 15:28 Jesus declares that the woman’s faith is great after she trusts his word for her daughter’s healing.
- Mark 11:22 The command “Have faith in God” states the term’s central religious direction: trust is directed toward God rather than left as a general attitude.
Preguntas frecuentes
What does πίστις mean?
It means faith, belief, trust, or confidence, especially religious trust in God or Christ. It can also refer to faithfulness or the truth believed.
How is πίστις used in the Gospel passages?
It is used for trust in God or in Jesus’ word, often in connection with forgiveness, healing, or the working of God’s power.
Does πίστις always mean personal faith?
No. The lexicon describes both personal religious trust and the objective content or system of truth believed; it can also denote fidelity or faithfulness.