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The Binder

John of Japan

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LOL now quotes only need to be sourced if real. Where is the citation for that bit of nonsense.

JOJ selectively enforces his own rules. Make of that what you will...
Um, no, I follow the same academic rules everyone else does in colleges and grad schools. And how in the world do I cite a hypothetical quotation that I made up? Are you awake? :p
 

Van

Well-Known Member
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"Etymologies are occasionally helpful. Sometimes the combination of two Greek words does directly relate to the current meaning." (Word-Study Fallacies by Robert Cara) Pistis is such a word.

Pistis is the transliteration of the Greek term translated in the KJV as "faith" Pistis is formed from two roots, "Piq" meaning bind, and "tis" having the same function as "er" in English. So fundamentally, the Greek term means "binder" or that which binds.

Now lets look at how the Bible defines the term contextually. Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The word translated "substance" comes from the Greek hupostatis, which means "under" "stand" having nothing to do with comprehension, but rather with what undergirds what we stand for. So "faith" is what undergirds our hope for the realization of the promises of God. The next word of interest, "evidence" comes from the Greek elegchos, which means that which brings to light what is not easily seen. For example, in 2 Timothy 3:16, the AV translates it "reproof" indicating scripture is profitable because it brings to light our sins.

What is it that causes our characteristics to bond to Christ's commands. Faith! Our deep seated conviction that Christ and His promises are true and worth whatever the cost to stick with Him.

In summary, Faith (Pistis) refers our heart-felt conviction that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah sent from God, and this conviction binds us such that our subsequent attitudes, hopes and deeds are tied to the reality of Jesus as our Savior.
 

John of Japan

Well-Known Member
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"Etymologies are occasionally helpful. Sometimes the combination of two Greek words does directly relate to the current meaning." (Word-Study Fallacies by Robert Cara) Pistis is such a word.
I commend you for sourcing this quote. It is the right thing to do.

And what the quote says is true. However, etymology is usually only used to determine the meaning when current usage is unclear, as in a hapax legomenon. Also, using etymology for meaning is much more common for Hebrew words than for Greek.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
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I commend you for sourcing this quote. It is the right thing to do.

And what the quote says is true. However, etymology is usually only used to determine the meaning when current usage is unclear, as in a hapax legomenon. Also, using etymology for meaning is much more common for Hebrew words than for Greek.

Not to put too fine a point on it, excessive verbiage hinders communication. Perhaps a class in narrative style might help?

Faith refers to what bonds our character to Christ's commands. It is the Binder. :)
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
If our faith is not deeply rooted, little adhesion to Christ allows following Christ to slip away into compromise. An early test for many believers is when our commitment to Christ costs us something. From going to the ball game rather than to church, to being ostracized due to our public stand for truth.

Ike said leadership is getting others to do what you want because they want to do it. A lack of leadership is demonstrated by those who "mandate" their doctrine and engage in cancel culture compulsion.

Men of little faith lack a trust in God's provision, and seek not to wait on the Lord. They might suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

Hebrews 11 provides a picture of many individuals who trusted God and His promises, even in the face oft the risk of great hardship.
 

Van

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One key to holding the readers attention is to delete unnecessary verbiage. Citing references that are unavailable on line is akin to sabotaging communication.

When we read Mark we see a lean mean writing machine.
 

AustinC

Well-Known Member
If our faith is not deeply rooted, little adhesion to Christ allows following Christ to slip away into compromise. An early test for many believers is when our commitment to Christ costs us something. From going to the ball game rather than to church, to being ostracized due to our public stand for truth.

Ike said leadership is getting others to do what you want because they want to do it. A lack of leadership is demonstrated by those who "mandate" their doctrine and engage in cancel culture compulsion.

Men of little faith lack a trust in God's provision, and seek not to wait on the Lord. They might suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

Hebrews 11 provides a picture of many individuals who trusted God and His promises, even in the face oft the risk of great hardship.
Our faith is deeply rooted because God rooted it there by His unmerited favor. Like Peter, we will persevere if we have truly been quickened.
*Luke 22:31-32*

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Our faith is deeply rooted because God rooted it there by His unmerited favor. Like Peter, we will persevere if we have truly been quickened.
*Luke 22:31-32*

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Note the non-germane verse posted as if it said Peter had been quickened. Search the verse. LOL
Right, please explain oh you of little faith. I am waiting.
Or how about your faith, not God's instilled faith, has saved you. I am waiting.

I believe scripture means what it says.
 

AustinC

Well-Known Member
Note the non-germane verse posted as if it said Peter had been quickened. Search the verse. LOL
Right, please explain oh you of little faith. I am waiting.
Or how about your faith, not God's instilled faith, has saved you. I am waiting.

I believe scripture means what it says.
Van, you really are clueless about how that text fits with faith, aren't you. I suggest you read 1 Peter and make the connection.
 

John of Japan

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Site Supporter
Not to put too fine a point on it, excessive verbiage hinders communication. Perhaps a class in narrative style might help?

Faith refers to what bonds our character to Christ's commands. It is the Binder. :)
Seems to me that your posts are usually longer than mine, including here. :p
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
In summary, Faith (Pistis) refers our heart-felt conviction that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah sent from God, and this conviction binds us such that our subsequent attitudes, hopes and deeds are tied to the reality of Jesus as our Savior.

This meaning stems directly from roots, i.e. the mechanism that binds a person's characteristics to their beliefs.

God bestows His blessings upon those with deep seated conviction that Christ is true and His promises are valid. Abraham springs to mind.

Thus the binder causes Christians to be people of courage and integrity. A biological seed reproduces the original, faith which binds us to all Christ taught, reproduces Christ-like thoughts and actions.
 

Van

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Faith refers to what bonds our character to Christ's commands. It is the Binder
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Ever wonder why Christians think of themselves as "bondservants?" Ask yourselves what bonds us to Christ? And the answer is: Faith.

Dead faith? Nope.

Live faith? Yep.

Faith from which faithfulness flows? Yep

Faith that God credits as righteous faith? Yep

Faith that results in "believing into Him?" Yep.
 
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