Paul and the Language of Faith

A dynamic reading of Paul’s faith language, outlining its subtle nuances as belief, trust, and faithfulness.

Faith language permeates the letters of Paul. Yet, its exact meaning is not always clear. Many today, reflecting centuries of interpretation, consider belief in Jesus to be a passive act. In this important book, Nijay Gupta challenges common assumptions in the interpretation of Paul and calls for a reexamination of Paul’s faith language. Gupta argues that Paul’s faith language resonates with a Jewish understanding of covenant involving goodwill, trust, and expectation. Paul’s understanding of faith involves the transformation of one’s perception of God and the world through Christ, relational dependence on Christ, as well as active loyalty to Christ. 

Pastors and scholars alike will benefit from this close examination of Paul’s understanding and use of faith language. For Gupta, Paul’s understanding involves a divine-human relationship centered on Christ that believes, trusts, and obeys.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Faith in Paul: A Brief History
3. Πίστις in Ancient Non-Jewish and Jewish Literature
4. Faith Language in the Jesus Tradition
5. Faithfulness is Better: Πίστις in 1 Thessalonians and Philippians
6 Strange Wisdom: The Cross’s Wisdom and the Humble Foolishness of Faith in 1 Corinthians
7 On Faith and Forms: Πιστις and True Ministry in 2 Corinthians
8 Covenantal Pistism: Πίστις in Galatians
9 And the Righteous Will Live by Trust: Faith Language in Romans 1:16–17
10. Πίστις Χριστοῦ and the Christ-Relation in Paul
11. Synthesis and Conclusion