Faith and Belief

The word “faith” refers to a person’s belief. However, because “faith” is a significant term in the Bible, it is sometimes taught that it is a special term that has deeper spiritual meaning than just belief.

Is “Faith” More than Belief?

For example, HELPS Word Studies gives the following explanation for the Greek word for “faith”:

Faith (4102/pistis) is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, 4102/pistis (“faith”) for the believer is “God’s divine persuasion”– and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet involving it. ... In Scripture, faith and belief are not exactly the same.

This HELPS entry claims that faith and belief are different. This might make sense in English, since the English words “faith” and “belief” do not seem related. However, this is not the case in the biblical languages.

“Faith” and “Belief” in Biblical Greek

In English Bible translations, the words “faith” and “believe” are used as equivalents of the Greek words pistis (πίστις) and pisteuō (πιστεύω) respectively. These two Greek words are related: pistis is the noun and pisteuō is the verb, just like the English words “belief” and “believe”. This relationship between pistis and pisteuō can be observed in Bible passages like Galatians 3:22:

But Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, so that the promise that comes from faith [pistis] in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe [pisteuō].

Hence, pistis could be rendered into English as “belief” rather than “faith” (cf. 2 Thess. 2:13 KJV). However, in older English, the main equivalent noun for the verb “believe” was “faith”. Because of this, early English Bible translators rendered pistis mainly as “faith”. Most modern English Bible translations have chosen to continue this traditional practice.

Therefore, there is no real difference between “faith” and “belief” in the Bible. Pistis means “belief”, but because of the history of the English language, English Bible translators have chosen to render it mainly as “faith”.

Pistis and False Faith/Belief

It is commonly assumed that the Greek word pistis refers specifically to true saving faith in Jesus Christ. However, this is not true. In reality, pistis can also refer to false non-saving faith. For example, James wrote,

James 2:14, 17, 19–20 ESV What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith [pistis] but does not have works? Can that faith [pistis] save him? ... So also faith [pistis] by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ... You believe [pisteuō] that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe [pisteuō]—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith [pistis] apart from works is useless?

James was writing against people who claim that they “believe” in God—pisteuō. He pointed out that even demons “believe” in God—pisteuō. Referring to this act of believing, James declared that this “faith”, pistis, is “dead” and “useless”. Thus, pistis is used here for a faith that does not save. It is a false pistis, but it is still a pistis.

Conclusion

Of course, true saving faith involves more than just believing certain facts about God and Jesus Christ. However, this is not at all because the Greek word pistis is a special term with deeper spiritual meaning. Pistis simply means “faith; belief”. It can refer to true faith/belief, but it can also refer to false faith/belief.