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| Volume 26 Number 1 January 2024 |
Page 9 |
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| Volume 26 Number 1 January 2024 |
Page 9 |
Bookends of Romans:
Defining Faith Biblically
Kevin L. Moore
Paul’s letter to the Romans has much to say about faith. The underlying Greek noun (pistis) and verb (pisteúō) are found throughout the book for a combined total of sixty-one times. Comprising nearly two thirds of these occurrences, the noun-form first emerges in Romans 1:5, and its final usage is in Romans 16:26, serving as bookends for the entire document. The bracketing texts read, in view of the apostolic mission: “Through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake” (1:5); “but now having been made manifest through the prophetic Scriptures and according to the commandment of the eternal God unto obedience of faith made known unto all the nations” (16:26).*
In the letter’s opening-thanksgiving, Paul wrote, “First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all because your faith is being proclaimed in all the world” (1:8). Near the close of the letter, he observed, “For your obedience has reached (the attention) of all, therefore I rejoice over you” (16:19a).
Half of Paul’s use of the noun “obedience” and verbal “obey” are found in Romans.** From beginning to end, faith clearly does not stand alone apart from obedience. Whenever Paul spoke of faith (e.g., 1:16-17; 3:22), it was not void of obedience. Whenever he spoke of obedience (e.g., 2:6; 6:17), it was not void of faith. The faith that appropriates justification, as explained in Romans, is always an obedient faith.
Conclusion
If we begin our examination of Romans in chapters 3-5 or 10, we will miss what has been established from the letter’s beginning. Therefore, one’s study of faith will be subject to misunderstanding and perhaps misconstruing what the inspired message conveys. Genuine faith is not merely an internal conviction without any observable action. Faith without obedience is disingenuous and lifeless (James 2:17, 26). Obedience without faith is empty ritualism. The faith that saves is the faith that obeys!
Endnotes
*Unless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations are the author’s own translation, with emphasis added.
**The Gospel preached by the apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost and heard by “visitors from Rome” prompted a faith-response that included belief, repentance, baptism and ongoing faithfulness (Acts 2:10-42), the same message Paul preached (1 Corinthians 15:11; Galatians 1:7-9; 3:26-27).
