Through Faith

[Van]

This phrase appears often in our English translations, since several words (dia, en, eis) are all rendered as through. Here we will focus on "dia" the Greek preposition that literally means to pass through something, but is used often to show (1) the means by which something is accomplished, or (2) the ground or reason by which something is done or not done. When we see "through (dia) faith" the idea is the reason something is done.

In Hebrews 11:39 "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised," we see that the OT saints gained approval in God's eyes on the basis of their faith in God and His promises. They had to wait in Abraham's bosom until after Christ died to be made perfect. But an important second teachings can be ascertained from this verse, when we see "through faith" the idea is "through their faith" not faith supposedly gifted to them or instilled within them.

In Galatians 3:14 "in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Here we see a result of being placed in Christ on the basis of faith credited by God, is that we are sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirit, fulfilling a promise to Abraham's descendants.

Bottom line, the resultant action of God to bestowal the blessings of salvation upon us, is through or by reason of God crediting our faith as righteousness. Faith must precede the action because it provides the reason or basis for the action. Thus this truth is presented many times when you see "through faith" in the text.

 

[Van]

Galatians 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

1Thessalons 3:7
for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;

2Timothy 3:15
and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

In summary the narrow way that leads to life eternal is "through faith." Our faith which if credited by God becomes the basis for our salvation and the associated blessings.

 

[Van]

This verse presents a difficulty, as to the distinction between "through (dia) faith and "by (ek) faith.
Romans 3:30
since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.

I think the idea here is that the circumcision (Jewish believers) come "out of" their Old Covenant faith to be justified, whereas those without faith are justified by reason of coming to faith in the gospel. Best I can do.

 

[Van]

Sometimes we find "through faith" based on an interpretive translation.
Hebrews 11:4 (NASB) By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

If we look at the Greek text, we find "through faith" as "dia autos" or more literally, through himself. What the translators appear to have done is choose what they believe to be the thing about himself that is being obliquely referenced. In addition to "faith" I think his sacrifice, his righteousness, or his testimony might be in view. But since "faith" sort of refers to the whole shebang I have no quibble with "faith.

 

[Van]

Sometimes when the means by which something is accomplished is in view, the something accomplished appears within the phrase. Here is an example:

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not the Law, but through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Here the means by which we obtained righteousness is faith. This is one of the blessings received as a result of God crediting our faith as righteousness and placing us into Christ.

Notice the chain of related stepping stones. Faith + being credited by God + being placed in Christ + the washing of regeneration results in righteousness, with the whole process being packed into "through faith."

Similarly we are said to be justified by faith, or as in the NET rendering of Galatians 2:16 justified through the faithfulness of Christ. Here Christ's sacrifice on the cross, the shedding of His precious blood, is front and center. More stepping stones.

 

[Van]

Every once in a while, study will open a can of worms, presenting many difficulties and possible meanings. Romans 4:16 is such a verse. Here is the NASB rendering:

For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

I looked at the verse because both "dia" and "faith" appear in the text, but as it turned out, through (dia) faith was not found in the text. When I looked at several versions, I found diversity, with translators choosing various renderings.

The opening Greek words can be translated as "because of this" or "for this reason." Looking at verse 15, I think the reference is to the fact "the law brings wrath."

The next phrase (it is by faith) is rendered "by" faith, "on" faith, "of" faith but the actual preposition is "ek" which means "out of." So rather than referring to where we need to go, the idea may be where they needed to leave, i.e. faith in the Law.

So if they end their faith in the Law, which brings wrath, this is in accordance with grace which would apply both to those who left the Law and those without the Law. Everyone relies on their faith in God and His promises, rather than the Law or some pagan belief system.

End of digression

 

[Van]

Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

Oops, I said end of digression, and came across another sidelight. Here we have faith working through (dia) love. Other verses indicate if we love Christ we will keep His commandments. So I think the idea here is "but faithfulness working by means of love.

 

[Van]

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

If we choose translate "dia" as "by reason of" we see that our faith, if credited by God as righteousness, is the reason God chose us for our gracious salvation.

Philippians 3:9
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

Here we see the fundamental truth of the thread clearly presented in scripture, through faith refers to the reason something is accomplished, in this case our "righteousness" which comes from God, on the basis of our faith when credited by God.

 

[Iconoclast]

it is always, By, or through faith...

Never because of faith...not once

 

[JonC]

Mark 5:34
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

Luke 17:19
And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”

Mark 10:52
And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

 

[Van]

Mark 5:34
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

Luke 17:19
And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”

Mark 10:52
And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

Yes, whenever pre-salvation faith is in view, it is always our faith, trust, and devotion to God ans His Christt that is being referenced.

 

[Van]

it is always, By, or through faith...
Never because of faith...not once

Often negative assertions are made as an implied effort to undercut the biblical truth being presented.

Matthew 17:20
And He *said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

2Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;

And as shown in this threads prior posts, very often when we see through (dia) faith, the idea is something occurs because of or by reason of God crediting our faith as righteousness.

 

[Van]

1Peter 1:5
who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Here we see "through [dia] faith" where faith is the means by which something is accomplished. In this verse our salvation is protected by the power of God by means of faith. God protects our faith, which means we endure to the end, which means we will see our salvation.

Once saved, always saved through faith.