What is Faith?

Faith is a word we often hear in church, in conversations, or even in everyday speech. Yet when the Bible speaks of faith, it refers to something far deeper than mere belief or optimism. Biblical faith is not an emotion, a philosophy, or self-confidence—it is the human response to God’s revelation of Himself. Understanding what faith truly is determines how we relate to God and how we live before Him.

The Biblical Faith – Pistis

The New Testament word for faith is the Greek term pistis (πίστις), which means trust, confidence, or reliance. It carries the idea of resting one’s entire confidence on the reliability of another.

In Scripture, faith refers specifically to placing our full trust in God—believing what He says, depending on who He is, and responding in obedience.

Faith, therefore, is not passive belief but active reliance. The writer of Hebrews defines it this way:

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

The word substance literally means a foundation or assurance. Faith is standing firmly upon God Himself—trusting His Word and character—even when our eyes cannot yet see His promises fulfilled.

Faith Comes by Hearing the Word of God

The Bible also reveals how faith begins. It does not originate from human reasoning, emotion, or imagination—it comes only through the Word of God.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

True faith is born when a person hears what God says and responds by trusting Him. It is not rooted in how we feel or what we think about God, but in what God has declared about Himself in Scripture. Faith rests upon divine revelation—on God’s self-disclosure of His character, promises, and works.

Abraham’s life perfectly illustrates this truth. When God spoke to him, Abraham believed what God had said. The Bible records,

“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)

Abraham did not rely on his own understanding or circumstance; he simply trusted what God had spoken. That is the essence of true faith.

Today, while God generally no longer speaks audibly to people as He did in ancient times, He still speaks through His written Word—the Bible. Therefore, our faith must be based on what God has revealed in Scripture, not on what others say, teach, or feel. If we want our faith to grow, we must read, hear, and meditate on the Word of God, for it is through His Word that faith is born and sustained.

Faith Anchored in God’s Character

Because faith depends on God’s Word, it also depends on His unchanging character. God cannot lie; His Word cannot fail.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)

Our faith is only as strong as the One in whom it is placed. When we trust God, we trust the integrity of His nature. Therefore, biblical faith is not “believing hard enough” to make something happen—it is believing God because He has spoken and because He is faithful to His Word.

The Lord Jesus also taught that even a very small faith—when placed in the right Person—can move mountains.

“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

The size of your faith is not what makes the difference; it is the object of your faith. A little faith in a great God is far greater than great faith in yourself or anything else. What matters is not how much faith you have—but where you put that faith.