Faith Works By Love

We know from Galatians 5:6 that faith works by love.

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:6 KJV

When people say that faith works by love, they often mean in respect to the necessity of walking in love in order for faith to work.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary says the following about faith working by love in Galatians 5:6:

faith which worketh by love — Greek, “working by love.” This corresponds to “a new creature” (Galatians 6:15), as its definition. Thus in Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:6, we have the three, “faith,” “hope,” and “love.” The Greek expresses, “Which effectually worketh”; which exhibits its energy by love (so 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Love is not joined with faith in justifying, but is the principle of the works which follow after justification by faith. Let not legalists, upholding circumcision, think that the essence of the law is set at naught by the doctrine of justification by faith only. Nay, “all the law is fulfilled in one word - love,” which is the principle on which “faith worketh” (Galatians 5:14). Let them, therefore, seek this “faith,” which will enable them truly to fulfil the law. Again, let not those who pride themselves on uncircumcision think that, because the law does not justify, they are free to walk after “the flesh” (Galatians 5:13). Let them, then, seek that “love” which is inseparable from true faith (James 2:8, James 2:12-22). Love is utterly opposed to the enmities which prevailed among the Galatians (Galatians 5:15, Galatians 5:20). The Spirit (Galatians 5:5) is a Spirit of “faith” and “love” (compare Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 7:19).

Conclusion

The faith that we are to seek is, first and foremost, knowing that we are the righteousness of God in Christ. (See 2 Cor. 5:21). We are justified by faith, apart from works of the law. (See Gal. 2:16). We also have the argument that we are justified by works and not by faith only. (See James 2:24). Perhaps we will expound on James’ argument in more detail, in the light of grace, in another post.

I believe that the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary on Galatians 5:6, is seeking to bring these arguments into balance. However, I would say that our justification by faith is a complete work and that we are never to become disillusioned by our behaviour or performance, to the point of doubting our own justification by faith.

What I believe James is saying here is that if we are justified by faith, that power will naturally manifest itself in our lives. Love is the power behind faith, so that when we have faith, we experienced the fruit of everything that the Bible says love is.

What Is Faith?

The Greek word pistis (G4102) appears a total of 244 times in the King James Version of the Bible. It is translated as faith 239 times and assurance, belief, believe, believeth and fidelity 1 time.

According to Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words, the Greek word pistis (G4102) translated faith in the King James Version, means:

From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

According to Thayer’s Greek Definitions, this Greek word means:

1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it
1a) relating to God
1a1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
1b) relating to Christ
1b1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God
1c) the religious beliefs of Christians
1d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
2) fidelity, faithfulness
2a) the character of one who can be relied on

Faith, therefore, is the conviction or persuasion that something is true. Again, we see the connection between belief (or faith) and trust. Joseph Thayer makes this link in his description of the Greek word for faith:

1d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same

The Fruit of the Spirit and the Flesh

Faith is one of the fruits of the Sprit listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22. There are many Christians who agree that the fruit of the Spirit are all aspects of love.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:22-26

Crucifixion of the Flesh

Look at the sequence by which Paul presents the components of this text - it makes perfect sense. Paul lists the qualities that the Holy Spirit brings to our re-created Spirit in verses 22 and 23. He then goes on in verse 24 to say that the only way you can truly belong to Christ and to experience His presence in your life – is to deal with the flesh nature.

One way of seeing this is that this crucifixion of the flesh is something that we must do. This effort is open to interpretation: some would say that we have to control our conduct; some would say that we must guard our heart and maintain good attitudes and motives.

Whilst others would say that verse 24 is past tense, “have crucified the flesh”. We can link this to what we read in Romans 6:3-4. We were buried with Him through baptism into death. If we died with Him, so to speak, then we are Christ’s and we have crucified the flesh – because Jesus crucified our flesh for us.

The Living Bible renders verse 24 in the following way: Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there.

The key to a wonderful Christian life is to be surrendered to the Holy Spirit and follow His direction in everything that you do. The Living Bible expresses this wonderfully in verse 25: If we are living now by the Holy Spirit's power, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.

The Contemporary English Version puts it this way: God's Spirit has given us life, and so we should follow the Spirit. To live in the Spirit means that as believers in Christ we have been born again, made alive together with Christ and the Holy Spirit lives in us. If we have the Holy Spirit in us now, we should live a life that expresses this truth, not just a mere sentiment. This is not a commandment, as such; this is a promise – hallelujah!

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes says, regarding verse 25:
If we live by the Spirit - If we are indeed raised from the dead, and are alive to God, by the operation of his Spirit. Let us walk by the Spirit - Let us follow his guidance, in all our tempers, thoughts, words, and actions.

Faith is a Fruit

This wonderful Spirit-filled and Spirit-led life that Paul describes is dependant on faith. But before we all go beating ourselves up because we feel we have not got enough faith, consider this: faith is a fruit of the spirit – it is a gift from God.
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary connects the word faith in Galatians 5:22 to “believes all things” in 1 Corinthians 13:7, as well as to a general trustfulness:
faith — “faithfulness”; opposed to “heresies” [Bengel]. Alford refers to 1 Corinthians 13:7, “Believeth all things”: faith in the widest sense, toward God and man. “Trustfulness” [Conybeare and Howson].

Faith Comes By Hearing…

Contrary to what Word of Faith teaches: faith does not come from making continual , scriptural confessions. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God being preached. (Rom. 10:17). Of course, we cannot develop faith by merely being given rules, or even formulas and principles – we need to be told who we are in Christ – what He has already done for us.

Belief and Trust

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Corinthians 13:7 KJV

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV

7 If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.
1 Corinthians 13:7 TLB

We can see from the New International Version that the word believeth in the King James Version can be attributed to trust as well, because it says always trusts instead of believes or believeth in 1 Corinthians 7.

The Message expresses that love trusts God always. The Amplified version says that love is ever ready to believe the best of every person. The Weymouth translation says she is full of trust. It would therefore be useful to study the meaning of this Greek word as well.

The Greek word pisteuō (G4100) appears a total of 250 times in the King James Version of the Bible. It is translated as believe 114 times, believed 78 times, believeth 33 times, believest 8 times, believing 6 times, committed 5 times, trust 3 times, commit 2 times, believers 1 time.

According to Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words, the Greek word pisteuō translated believeth in the King James Version, means:

From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

According to Thayer’s Greek Definitions, this Greek word means:

1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
1a) of the thing believed
1a1) to credit, have confidence
1b) in a moral or religious reference
1b1) used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
1b2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith
2) to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity
2a) to be intrusted with a thing

We can see, therefore, that the same word used for believing in 1 Corinthians 13:7 is also translated elsewhere in the King James Version, as trust – although only three times. This word is used in the trust context with reference to something being committed to a person’s trust.

Thayer’s Greek Definitions describes this Greek word as: to entrust a thing to one and to be intrusted with a thing. 1 Timothy 1:11 provides an example of this.

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
1 Timothy 1:11 KJV

James Strong says that the believing aspect of love includes: to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing.

Albert Barnes on the Hope Aspect of Love

Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible says the following about hopes all things in 1 Corinthians 13:7.

Hopeth all things - Hopes that all will turn out well. This must also refer to the conduct of others; and it means, that however dark may be appearances; how much soever there may be to produce the fear that others are actuated by improper motives or are bad people, yet that there is a “hope” that matters may be explained and made clear; that the difficulties may he made to vanish; and that the conduct of others may be made to “appear” to be fair and pure. Love will “hold on to this hope” until all possibility of such a result has vanished and it is compelled to believe that the conduct is not susceptible of a fair explanation. This hope will extend to “all things” - to words and actions, and plans; to public and to private contact; to what is said and done in our own presence, and to what is said and done in our absence. Love will do this, because it delights in the virtue and happiness of others, and will not credit anything to the contrary unless compelled to do so.

Hope In Relation To Belief and Trust

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Corinthians 13:7 KJV

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV

7 If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.
1 Corinthians 13:7 TLB

The Greek word elpizō (G1679) appears a total of 32 times in the King James Version of the Bible. It is translated as trust 15 times, hope 7 times, hoped 4 times, trusted 2 times and hope’s, hopeth, hoping and trusteth all once.

According to Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words, the Greek word elpizō (G1679) translated hopes in the King James Version, means:
From G1680; to expect or confide: - (have, thing) hope (-d) (for), trust.

According to Thayer’s Greek Definitions, this Greek word means:
1) to hope
1a) in a religious sense, to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence
2) hopefully to trust in

As you can see, this Greek word which represents the hope aspect of love in 1 Corinthians 13, is actually used to convey trust in the King James Version of the Bible, more than it is used to convey hope.

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary emphasizes the trust aspect of hope in its description of this verse:
hopeth — what is good of another, even when others have ceased to hope.

The Living Bible interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:7 attempts to personalise the message of love by expressing it in the form of trusting and believing in a person. Although, I would say that love is also to be expressed towards situations, groups of individuals and to God. I suppose we can also trust an institution or group of people, as if they were collectively an individual.

God is not a person, as such, but we can personalise love towards God as if He was a person. The concept of God as our loving Heavenly Father and we as His children, personilzes our relationship with God. Jesus represents the Son of Man aspect of God; Jesus was made incarnate and came to earth as a man. Jesus represents both our great High Priest and our sacrificial Lamb. We can therefore approach God as if He was a person through Jesus.

Kindness in Relation to Trust and Endurance

You might say that adopting an attitude of kindness has little to do with resisting provocation. On the contrary, kindness is a motivation to action. Even when someone insults us, we can show them that we are not offended by their actions, by our expression of kindness towards them. Kindness is love expressing itself through our manner, words and deeds.

Kindness turns the other cheek when people strike us (Matthew 5:39). Kindness is willing to go the extra mile with someone - even when it is not in our best interests to do so (Matthew 5:41).

The Bible tells us that we should not love through mere sentiment, but through our actions towards others (1 John 3:18).

Kindness is an Aspect of Love

Faith is the ability to believe the promises of God’s Word and to be able to trust Him as a Father. We have seen in 1 Corinthians 13:7 that the verb form of faith is an aspect of love.

We know from Galatians 5:6 that faith works by love. Kindness is also an aspect of love; we know this from 1 Corinthians 13:4. All the aspects of love work in conjunction with each other and are maintained in balance. Love is the nature of God, and therefore, is something that we receive from Him by the Holy Spirit. Trust is something that we receive from God just as much as kindness is something that we receive from God.

We cannot expect to be kind beyond our ability to trust God. Neither can we expect to trust God beyond our ability, or at least our willingness, to be kind to others.

Is Kindness a Rule?

It is easy at this juncture to make a rule out of this and say, “You must make an effort to be kind, otherwise, God will not give you the ability to believe Him for something.” This puts the burden on the believer to manifest kindness – something which is an attribute of God love – as a means of experiencing all the other attributes of love.

Kindness, just like trust and endurance, is something that we receive from God. Romans 5:5 says that the love of God has already been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

How Do We Partake of this Love?

Therefore, if God has already given us love as a free gift – what is required of us in order that we might flow in that love?

Advocates of the message of pure grace would say that all that is needed is to listen to the message of grace being preached. I like that and agree with it wholeheartedly.

Some people would also say that we forfeit the love of God as a result of wrong mindsets. Therefore, we must make efforts to identify and challenge those mindsets. I am also inclined to this argument as well. But without an effective, God-given means of correcting wrong beliefs and attitudes – we can easily make this a constant work of introspection, self-condemnation, repression and pretence.