πίστις (pistis)
pistis
faith
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 226 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun pistis conveys a deep, active trust in God or Christ, extending beyond mere intellectual agreement to include reliance and confidence. In the New Testament, it describes the believer’s relationship with the divine, appearing frequently in Paul’s letters such as Romans and Galatians to explain how people are justified before God. This faith is not passive; it involves a personal commitment that shapes one’s entire life direction.
Interestingly, pistis carries a dual meaning: it refers both to the subjective act of believing and to the objective content of that belief. While most translations render it simply as "faith," in passages like Acts 6:7 or Jude 3, it denotes "the faith" itself—the body of Christian truth held by believers. Additionally, in a few instances such as Matthew 23:23 and Galatians 5:22, the word shifts to mean fidelity or faithfulness, highlighting the character trait of keeping one’s promises.
Its root connection to peithō, meaning to persuade or trust, underscores its nature as a response to God’s reliability. Translators often struggle with this term because English "faith" can sound vague or purely mental, whereas pistis implies a firm grounding in reality. Whether viewed as personal trust or doctrinal content, the word remains central to understanding New Testament theology.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pistis in the New Testament carries a weight that goes far beyond simple intellectual agreement. It describes a deep, active trust in God’s character and promises. When Jesus encounters someone with great faith, He often remarks on the quality of their reliance on Him, as seen when He heals the centurion’s servant or the woman touching His cloak. This kind of faith is relational; it is the posture of leaning fully into God’s care rather than trying to manage life alone.
For your daily walk, this means that faith is not just a one-time decision but a living trust that shapes how you handle fear, sickness, and uncertainty. It involves both believing in who God is and relying on His power to act. Even when circumstances seem impossible, like the disciples struggling with a storm, Jesus invites us to look past our fears and rest in His authority. This trust gives peace that does not depend on perfect outcomes but on the reliability of the One we trust.
Ultimately, pistis connects us to the very heart of God’s work in the world. It is the means by which we receive healing, forgiveness, and strength. As you navigate your own challenges, remember that this faith is a gift that grows through practice and reliance on Christ. May you find comfort in knowing that your trust in Him is seen, valued, and met with His faithful response.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 226 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- faith141×
- faith,18×
- By faith18×
- of faith11×
- faith.11×
- of faith.6×
- [the] faith5×
- by faith4×
- faith;3×
- of faith?2×
- in faith,2×
- faith?2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πίστεως68×
- πίστιν46×
- πίστις30×
- πίστει26×
- Πίστει18×
- πίστεως.9×
- πίστει,9×
- πίστεως,8×
- πίστις,4×
- πίστιν.3×
- πίστεως·3×
- πίστεως;3×
Key Verses
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Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel.
Jesus marvels at the centurion’s faith because it demonstrates a profound understanding of His authority that surpasses even what was found in Israel.
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Mark 5:34
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
Jesus declares that the woman’s active trust in Him resulted in her physical healing and granted her peace, linking faith directly to wholeness.
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Luke 17:5
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, showing that they viewed it as a necessary resource for following Him that could grow over time.
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Acts 3:16
By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Peter explains that the lame man’s healing was not due to his own power but came through the faith that is found in Jesus’ name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word pistis mean?
How is pistis different from simple belief?
Where does the word pistis appear most frequently?
Can pistis mean faithfulness?
Every Occurrence (226 verses across 24 books)
Matthew 8 verses
When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a…
Matthew 9:2Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic,…
Matthew 9:22But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was…
Matthew 9:29Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”
Matthew 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was…
Matthew 17:20He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard…
Matthew 21:21Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done…
Matthew 23:23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier…