"Faith" as the Things Believed
Bible Meanings of the Word “Faith”
by Dave Brown
Landing Page: Does Doctrinal Purity Matter?
What do we mean by “Bible meaning?” Quite often words have different meanings in the context of the Bible than they do in the normal social conversation (e.g., church, fellowship, baptism). To obtain the correct meaning of a word’s use in the Bible, it is essential that we understand its meaning in that context. This is often referred to as “using Bible words in Bible ways.” Since the Bible does not give us a glossary, it is essential for us to define Bible words by examining the context in which they are found.
The issue with the word faith is not so much that its biblical meaning is that much different from its everyday use, as it is that some have found it convenient to their false teaching to alter its meaning by creating the term “faith-only.” Other articles exist to counter this false doctrine, namely Not Saved by Faith Only, Evidence of a Living Faith, and The Insertion of the Only Word. Thus, we will not repeat these scriptural arguments here. However it will become clear from this article that the term faith-only is an oxymoron (internally inconsistent), and thus it cannot possibly exist except in the imaginations of those led astray. The term is used in James 2:14-26 (specifically, vs. 24), but even there, the term is used accomodatively, and the context shows that James believed that nothing of this nature was even possible without doing violation to the bible concept of faith.
Our goal here is to show that the Bible uses the word faith in two closely related ways:
THE COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD MEANING OF FAITH
The first of these is the normative meaning and it should be well understood. It should also be quite reasonable that if you have faith in someone you will do what he says (i.e., obey him). To say you have faith in someone and then remain ignorant of what he teaches makes the statement of faith a lie. Even worse, to say you have faith in someone and then, knowing what he has said, intentionally disobey this persons teachings is also deceitful both to others and to yourself.
Hebrews 11:1 provides a type of definition of faith in its common biblical meaning: “Now faith is assurance of (things) hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.” That is obviously not a typical dictionary definition. Assurance (also translated substance) is literally “that which is placed under” (as a foundation) to hold something up. Conviction (also translated evidence) is that which provides the proof of something, albeit not necessarily definitive. (Think of what a conviction is in the outcome of a trial) – in this case it is the outcome of sufficient evidence of guilt being presented.)
It helps if we recognize that it is an identity metaphor. Consider that "God is love" is not a definition of God, but it surely says enough about Him to enable us to recognize His substance. Now do the same thing with the definitions of faith. "Faith is assurance of things hoped for" means that if you have faith you will have the assurance of things hoped for; conversely, if you do not have the assurance of things hoped for, you do not have faith. "Faith is a conviction of things not seen" so if you have faith you will certainly have such a conviction (sufficiency of evidence). Or conversely as with the first identity, if you do not have the conviction of things not seen, then you just do not have the faith as the Bible defines it. This does not define faith in the abstract, but it is more of an operational definition (like "God is love").
Is this ALL that faith is? No, but that is the nature of the identity metaphor -- it provides sufficient illustration so that we can begin to understand the whole, much like a synecdoche. The examples of the rest of Hebrews Chapter 11 complete the definition. As with James 2:14-26, each example compels us to realize that faith is a motivator of action, and if this action does not exist, then saving faith does not exist. This is the reason that notably absent from the examples of Hebrews 11 is an example of faith-only. Such would be laughable if it were included, and it would not begin to meet the basic definition of verse 1. For, if you have the assurance and conviction spoken of, you will not be able to just proclaim it as an undefined abstract entity. It will manifest itself in action in your life, as it does in all of the examples.
“THE” FAITH, THE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE BELIEVED
The first definition of faith as “belief that compels action” is brought out by the second definition, and it is on this that the remainder of this article will focus. The most commonly used example to demonstrate this definition of faith is Jude 3: “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.” (ASV)
It is clear from Jude 3 that the word faith is not being used to mean belief, but rather, the thing believed. To distinguish between these two meanings is essential to proper biblical interpretation. There are times, we suspect due to translator bias, that the two are not distinguished nearly as well as they are in Jude 3. Let us consider the use of the word faith in the book of Romans for some additional examples.
Romans 1:5
…through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience to the faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; … (KJV, NKJV)
The ASV, RSV and other versions translate “obedience to the faith” to be “obedience of faith.” But, what is “obedience of faith?” My first impression was that it had to do with the obedience that faith will produce, and that is not at all inconsistent with the milk of God’s word. But is this what Paul was trying to confer? We urge you to do some research on this; ours has determined that the better English translation of the phrase is “obedience to the faith. Two examples are given in the Appendix, with references to facilitate further study.
We are not taking the position that this definitively makes this limited to the meaning to which it is confined in Jude 3. However, it does open up that possibility, and if nothing else seals the connection between the two definitions of faith given above. At the very least, if we feel compelled to go with the “obedience of faith” translation, there still has to be something that must be obeyed. One cannot have obedience of faith without there being a body of knowledge of what must be obeyed; otherwise we have anarchy. So, while this exercise in the Greek is quite interesting and enlightening, it is not critical to our understanding of the book of Romans, or for that matter, the New Testament.
However, we feel that the use of the word faith to mean “the body of knowledge to be believed” is quite neglected in general Bible study. It occurs in the New Testament much more frequently than most disciples realize. Notice other instances in Romans where Paul is using the word faith to refer to a revealed body of knowledge (i.e., the gospel): "a law of faith" (3:27); "through the {Greek} faith" (3:30); and "the word of faith, which we preach" (10:8).
Now consider some usages of the word faith to mean “the body of knowledge to be believed” throughout the New Testament: Acts 6:7; 13:8; 14:22; 16:5; 24:24; Romans 1:5; 17?; 3:27; 10:8; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 3:23; Ephesians 4:12; Philippians 1:25, 27; First Timothy 1:19; 3:9; 3:13; 4:1; 4:6; 5:8; 6:10, 12, 21; Second Timothy 3:8; 4:7; Titus 1:1; 1:13; Jude 3; Revelation 14:12. See Appendix B.
APPENDIX A – Example Greek References
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/alford/romans/1.htm
Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary - Alford
ὑπακοὴν πίστεως] The anarthrous character above remarked (on εὐαγγ. θεοῦ, ver. 1) must be here borne in mind, or we shall fall into the mistake of supposing ὑ. π. to mean ‘obedience produced by faith.’ The key to the words is found in ref. Acts, πολύς τε ὄχλος τῶν ἱερέων ὑπήκουον τῇ πίστει, compared with Paul’s own usage of joining an objective genitive with ὑπακοή, see 2Corinthians 10:5, εἰς τὴν ὑπακοὴν τοῦ χριστοῦ. So that πίστεως is the faith; not = ‘the gospel which is to be believed’ (as Fritzsche, citing ch. 10:16), but the state of salvation, in which men stand by faith. And so these words form an introduction to the great subject of the Epistle.
ἐν πᾶσιν τ. ἔθν.] in order to bring about obedience to the faith among all (the) nations.
Expositors Greek Testament
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Romans 1:5. Through Christ Paul received χάριν κ. ἀποστολήν. The plural, ἐλάβομεν, may mean no more than the singular, or may proceed from the latent consciousness that the writer is not the only person entitled to say this; it is not expressly meant to include others. χάρις, grace, is common to all Christians; ἀποστολὴ rests upon a specialised χάρις and implies competence as well as vocation. But in the N.T. these are hardly distinguished; it is a man’s χάρισμα which constitutes his “call” to any particular service in the Church. εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως: the object of the apostleship received through Christ is obedience of faith, i.e., the obedience which consists in faith (but cf. Acts 6:7) among all the Gentiles. Cf. chap. Romans 10:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:8. The meaning of ἔθνεσιν (Gentiles, not nations) is fixed by Romans 1:13 and by Paul’s conception of his own vocation, Galatians 1:16; Galatians 2:8, Ephesians 3:1 ff. ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ: the final purpose of his vocation is that Christ’s name may be above every name.
APPENDIX B – Listings of Passages Referenced as “the Jude 3” Usage of the Word Faith
Mentally confirm that “the faith” is being used in the “Jude 3” sense by substituting the word gospel for the word faith where it appears.
Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Acts 13:8
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.
Acts 14:21-22
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,
22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 16:5
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Acts 24:24
But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
Romans 1:5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: (KJV, NKJV)
Romans 1:17
For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith. (The usage in this verse is not definitive.)
Romans 3:27
Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith.
Romans 10:8
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach
1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.
Galatians 3:23
But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And he gave some (to be) apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
Philippians 1:25-27
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith;
26 that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
1 Timothy 1:18-19
18 This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou may war the good warfare;
19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:
1 Timothy 3:8-9
8 Deacons in like manner (must be) grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:13
For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:1
But the Spirit says expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed (until now):
1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provides not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
ASV
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto you were called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:20-21
20 O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto (thee), turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;
21 which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.
2 Timothy 3:8
And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
Titus 1:13-14
13 This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
Jude 3
Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
Revelation 14:12
12 Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Next article in this series.
Landing Page: Does Doctrinal Purity Matter?
What do we mean by “Bible meaning?” Quite often words have different meanings in the context of the Bible than they do in the normal social conversation (e.g., church, fellowship, baptism). To obtain the correct meaning of a word’s use in the Bible, it is essential that we understand its meaning in that context. This is often referred to as “using Bible words in Bible ways.” Since the Bible does not give us a glossary, it is essential for us to define Bible words by examining the context in which they are found.
The issue with the word faith is not so much that its biblical meaning is that much different from its everyday use, as it is that some have found it convenient to their false teaching to alter its meaning by creating the term “faith-only.” Other articles exist to counter this false doctrine, namely Not Saved by Faith Only, Evidence of a Living Faith, and The Insertion of the Only Word. Thus, we will not repeat these scriptural arguments here. However it will become clear from this article that the term faith-only is an oxymoron (internally inconsistent), and thus it cannot possibly exist except in the imaginations of those led astray. The term is used in James 2:14-26 (specifically, vs. 24), but even there, the term is used accomodatively, and the context shows that James believed that nothing of this nature was even possible without doing violation to the bible concept of faith.
Our goal here is to show that the Bible uses the word faith in two closely related ways:
- Synonymously with the word belief, which infers trust or confidence in the complete validity and truthfulness of a given person or a given statement or statements of fact. Thus the words, faith and belief are often used interchangeably, with variations in translations choosing to use the one or the other.
- The body of information that is believed as truth; the thing or things believed.
THE COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD MEANING OF FAITH
The first of these is the normative meaning and it should be well understood. It should also be quite reasonable that if you have faith in someone you will do what he says (i.e., obey him). To say you have faith in someone and then remain ignorant of what he teaches makes the statement of faith a lie. Even worse, to say you have faith in someone and then, knowing what he has said, intentionally disobey this persons teachings is also deceitful both to others and to yourself.
Hebrews 11:1 provides a type of definition of faith in its common biblical meaning: “Now faith is assurance of (things) hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.” That is obviously not a typical dictionary definition. Assurance (also translated substance) is literally “that which is placed under” (as a foundation) to hold something up. Conviction (also translated evidence) is that which provides the proof of something, albeit not necessarily definitive. (Think of what a conviction is in the outcome of a trial) – in this case it is the outcome of sufficient evidence of guilt being presented.)
It helps if we recognize that it is an identity metaphor. Consider that "God is love" is not a definition of God, but it surely says enough about Him to enable us to recognize His substance. Now do the same thing with the definitions of faith. "Faith is assurance of things hoped for" means that if you have faith you will have the assurance of things hoped for; conversely, if you do not have the assurance of things hoped for, you do not have faith. "Faith is a conviction of things not seen" so if you have faith you will certainly have such a conviction (sufficiency of evidence). Or conversely as with the first identity, if you do not have the conviction of things not seen, then you just do not have the faith as the Bible defines it. This does not define faith in the abstract, but it is more of an operational definition (like "God is love").
Is this ALL that faith is? No, but that is the nature of the identity metaphor -- it provides sufficient illustration so that we can begin to understand the whole, much like a synecdoche. The examples of the rest of Hebrews Chapter 11 complete the definition. As with James 2:14-26, each example compels us to realize that faith is a motivator of action, and if this action does not exist, then saving faith does not exist. This is the reason that notably absent from the examples of Hebrews 11 is an example of faith-only. Such would be laughable if it were included, and it would not begin to meet the basic definition of verse 1. For, if you have the assurance and conviction spoken of, you will not be able to just proclaim it as an undefined abstract entity. It will manifest itself in action in your life, as it does in all of the examples.
“THE” FAITH, THE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE BELIEVED
The first definition of faith as “belief that compels action” is brought out by the second definition, and it is on this that the remainder of this article will focus. The most commonly used example to demonstrate this definition of faith is Jude 3: “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.” (ASV)
It is clear from Jude 3 that the word faith is not being used to mean belief, but rather, the thing believed. To distinguish between these two meanings is essential to proper biblical interpretation. There are times, we suspect due to translator bias, that the two are not distinguished nearly as well as they are in Jude 3. Let us consider the use of the word faith in the book of Romans for some additional examples.
Romans 1:5
…through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience to the faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; … (KJV, NKJV)
The ASV, RSV and other versions translate “obedience to the faith” to be “obedience of faith.” But, what is “obedience of faith?” My first impression was that it had to do with the obedience that faith will produce, and that is not at all inconsistent with the milk of God’s word. But is this what Paul was trying to confer? We urge you to do some research on this; ours has determined that the better English translation of the phrase is “obedience to the faith. Two examples are given in the Appendix, with references to facilitate further study.
We are not taking the position that this definitively makes this limited to the meaning to which it is confined in Jude 3. However, it does open up that possibility, and if nothing else seals the connection between the two definitions of faith given above. At the very least, if we feel compelled to go with the “obedience of faith” translation, there still has to be something that must be obeyed. One cannot have obedience of faith without there being a body of knowledge of what must be obeyed; otherwise we have anarchy. So, while this exercise in the Greek is quite interesting and enlightening, it is not critical to our understanding of the book of Romans, or for that matter, the New Testament.
However, we feel that the use of the word faith to mean “the body of knowledge to be believed” is quite neglected in general Bible study. It occurs in the New Testament much more frequently than most disciples realize. Notice other instances in Romans where Paul is using the word faith to refer to a revealed body of knowledge (i.e., the gospel): "a law of faith" (3:27); "through the {Greek} faith" (3:30); and "the word of faith, which we preach" (10:8).
Now consider some usages of the word faith to mean “the body of knowledge to be believed” throughout the New Testament: Acts 6:7; 13:8; 14:22; 16:5; 24:24; Romans 1:5; 17?; 3:27; 10:8; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 3:23; Ephesians 4:12; Philippians 1:25, 27; First Timothy 1:19; 3:9; 3:13; 4:1; 4:6; 5:8; 6:10, 12, 21; Second Timothy 3:8; 4:7; Titus 1:1; 1:13; Jude 3; Revelation 14:12. See Appendix B.
APPENDIX A – Example Greek References
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/alford/romans/1.htm
Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary - Alford
ὑπακοὴν πίστεως] The anarthrous character above remarked (on εὐαγγ. θεοῦ, ver. 1) must be here borne in mind, or we shall fall into the mistake of supposing ὑ. π. to mean ‘obedience produced by faith.’ The key to the words is found in ref. Acts, πολύς τε ὄχλος τῶν ἱερέων ὑπήκουον τῇ πίστει, compared with Paul’s own usage of joining an objective genitive with ὑπακοή, see 2Corinthians 10:5, εἰς τὴν ὑπακοὴν τοῦ χριστοῦ. So that πίστεως is the faith; not = ‘the gospel which is to be believed’ (as Fritzsche, citing ch. 10:16), but the state of salvation, in which men stand by faith. And so these words form an introduction to the great subject of the Epistle.
ἐν πᾶσιν τ. ἔθν.] in order to bring about obedience to the faith among all (the) nations.
Expositors Greek Testament
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Romans 1:5. Through Christ Paul received χάριν κ. ἀποστολήν. The plural, ἐλάβομεν, may mean no more than the singular, or may proceed from the latent consciousness that the writer is not the only person entitled to say this; it is not expressly meant to include others. χάρις, grace, is common to all Christians; ἀποστολὴ rests upon a specialised χάρις and implies competence as well as vocation. But in the N.T. these are hardly distinguished; it is a man’s χάρισμα which constitutes his “call” to any particular service in the Church. εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως: the object of the apostleship received through Christ is obedience of faith, i.e., the obedience which consists in faith (but cf. Acts 6:7) among all the Gentiles. Cf. chap. Romans 10:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:8. The meaning of ἔθνεσιν (Gentiles, not nations) is fixed by Romans 1:13 and by Paul’s conception of his own vocation, Galatians 1:16; Galatians 2:8, Ephesians 3:1 ff. ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ: the final purpose of his vocation is that Christ’s name may be above every name.
APPENDIX B – Listings of Passages Referenced as “the Jude 3” Usage of the Word Faith
Mentally confirm that “the faith” is being used in the “Jude 3” sense by substituting the word gospel for the word faith where it appears.
Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Acts 13:8
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.
Acts 14:21-22
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,
22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 16:5
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Acts 24:24
But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
Romans 1:5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: (KJV, NKJV)
Romans 1:17
For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith. (The usage in this verse is not definitive.)
Romans 3:27
Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith.
Romans 10:8
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach
1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.
Galatians 3:23
But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And he gave some (to be) apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
Philippians 1:25-27
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith;
26 that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
1 Timothy 1:18-19
18 This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou may war the good warfare;
19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:
1 Timothy 3:8-9
8 Deacons in like manner (must be) grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:13
For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:1
But the Spirit says expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed (until now):
1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provides not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
ASV
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto you were called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:20-21
20 O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto (thee), turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;
21 which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.
2 Timothy 3:8
And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
Titus 1:13-14
13 This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
Jude 3
Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
Revelation 14:12
12 Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
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Landing Page: Does Doctrinal Purity Matter?