Faith vs. "the Faith" - Which one was once delivered?

[St. SteVen]

- What's the difference between faith and "the Faith"?
- What faith was once delivered/entrusted to us?
- Was it faith, or "the Faith"?
- Is faith from God?
- Is "the Faith" man-made?

Jude 3 KJV
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

COMPARE

Jude 3 NIV
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share,
I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.

 

[Randy Kluth]

"Faith," here, appears to be an abbreviated term for the Gospel, so that one need not explain all of the elements of what the Gospel is. It is focused on "faith," which is at the core of the Gospel, namely faith in Christ and in what he did for us, and all that that means.

So "the Faith" would be a technical application of "faith" to "faith in Christ for Salvation."

 

[St. SteVen]

"Faith," here, appears to be an abbreviated term for the Gospel, so that one need not explain all of the elements of what the Gospel is. It is focused on "faith," which is at the core of the Gospel, namely faith in Christ and in what he did for us, and all that that means.

So "the Faith" would be a technical application of "faith" to "faith in Christ for Salvation."

Good observations, thanks.

The Greek is interesting. Literally, the salvation that we have in common. (the common of us salvation)

My contention is that the definite article (the) is being attached to "faith" by readers of the English translation to create the term "the faith". Which is then defined in whatever way that suits the denomination or beliefs of the reader. Thus making a singular (man-made) thing out of the imagined term "the faith".

I prefer the view that you bring, which is that it refers rather to "an abbreviated term for the Gospel". (the message) As opposed to the practice of Christian religion, which takes on many forms, making the singular definition inappropriate. Hopefully I'm not putting words in your mouth. Not my intention. Correct me if I misunderstood you. Thanks.

Faith = A singular thing. Our common belief in the saving message of the gospel.
"The Faith" = Not a singular thing. The practice of Christian religion, which takes on many forms.

]

 

[Randy Kluth]

Good observations, thanks.

The Greek is interesting. Literally, the salvation that we have in common. (the common of us salvation)

My contention is that the definite article (the) is being attached to "faith" by readers of the English translation to create the term "the faith". Which is then defined in whatever way that suits the denomination or beliefs of the reader. Thus making a singular (man-made) thing out of the imagined term "the faith".

I prefer the view that you bring, which is that it refers rather to "an abbreviated term for the Gospel". (the message) As opposed to the practice of Christian religion, which takes on many forms, making the singular definition inappropriate. Hopefully I'm not putting words in your mouth. Not my intention. Correct me if I misunderstood you. Thanks.

Faith = A singular thing. Our common belief in the saving message of the gospel.
"The Faith" = Not a singular thing. The practice of Christian religion, which takes on many forms.

Yes, I would agree with you, whether or not you're saying the same thing or not. The Gospel would not be understood as "many different ways to Salvation." Neither would "the Faith" be viewed as many different things to put our faith in. "One Lord, one Salvation..." This is "the Faith."

 

[Bob Estey]

- What's the difference between faith and "the Faith"?
- What faith was once delivered/entrusted to us?
- Was it faith, or "the Faith"?
- Is faith from God?
- Is "the Faith" man-made?

Jude 3 KJV
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

COMPARE

Jude 3 NIV
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share,
I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.

View attachment 48713

"Faith" is synonymous with "trust." "The Faith" is synonymous with "Christianity."

 

[St. SteVen]

"Faith" is synonymous with "trust." "The Faith" is synonymous with "Christianity."

Agree.
The word "the" indicates a singular thing. Is Christianity a singular thing? If "Yes", how do you account for all the differences between Catholic and Protestant and all the many denominations?

Just to be clear, I'm not against denominationalism. Sometimes God is at work in the splits.

]

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

"faith"

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. HEB 11:6

Here 'faith' is defined by "believe" in this verse. Belief is what a person develops in their heart (Rom 10:9) that is based up facts, substance and evidence provided by the written word...faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God, (Rom 10:17)

"the faith"

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." JUDE 1:3

Here "the faith" refers to the system of faith, the body of teaching that is found in the word of God that has been once delivered. It can be that "the faith" found in God's word may not be the belief that one develops in their heart for people can read "the faith", read the word of God and come away believing in ideas that are false, that are NOT found in the word of God. The belief one develops in his heart may NOT conform to "the faith" as found in God's word.

There are also phrases as "the truth" (Jn 8:32) and "the gospel" (Mk 16:15; Lk 9:5) that are interchangable with "the faith" for these terms all refer to the same thing, the ONE system of faith, the ONE body of teaching found with in God's ONE word.

Eph 4:5 there is "ONE faith" meaning there is just ONE truth, ONE gospel and "the faith" being truth means it NEVER contradicts itself. The idea that there are many different faithS or many different bodIES is found within the corruption of the man-made ideas of denominationalism. Someone in times past may have asked you "what faith are you?" with the question implying there are many different faithS. One has either developed belief/faith in their heart (Rom 10:9) that conforms to "the faith" else they have developed a false belief in their heart far removed from "the faith" of the Bible.

"The faith" with the word "the" being a definite article referring to a particular thing as opposed to "a faith". One can refer to "the red car" referring to a particular red car as opposed to "a red car" referring to any red car in general.

Even though the Bible may speak of different kinds of faith ('little faith' (Mk 4:40) or a "dead faith" (James 2)) there is but ONE faith, ONE truth that saves.

"the faith" is to be obeyed, Rom 1:5; Acts 6:7.

"the faith" is to be taught Acts 24:24

The Christian is to continue in "the faith" (Acts 14:22, Col 1:23) so they be not be moved away from "the hope" of "the gospel".

Before Paul's conversion he was an enemy of "the faith" (Gal 1:23) and went about to destroy "the faith", destroy the body of teaching found within God's word. After his conversion he went about preaching "the faith".

 

[St. SteVen]

"the faith"

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." JUDE 1:3

Here "the faith" refers to the system of faith, the body of teaching that is found in the word of God that has been once delivered. It can be that "the faith" found in God's word may not be the belief that one develops in their heart for people can read "the faith", read the word of God and come away believing in ideas that are false, that are NOT found in the word of God. The belief one develops in his heart may NOT conform to "the faith" as found in God's word.

Did you see the Jude 1:3 Greek in post #1 and my observations in post #3 ?

"The Greek is interesting. Literally, the salvation that we have in common. (the common of us salvation)
My contention is that the definite article (the) is being attached to "faith" by readers of the English translation to create the term "the faith". Which is then defined in whatever way that suits the denomination or beliefs of the reader. Thus making a singular (man-made) thing out of the imagined term "the faith"."

[

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

Did you see the Jude 1:3 Greek in post #1 and my observations in post #3 ?

"The Greek is interesting. Literally, the salvation that we have in common. (the common of us salvation)
My contention is that the definite article (the) is being attached to "faith" by readers of the English translation to create the term "the faith". Which is then defined in whatever way that suits the denomination or beliefs of the reader. Thus making a singular (man-made) thing out of the imagined term "the faith"."

[

The article "the" is in the original language to denote a particular faith. It's also singular in the original, therefore there is just "one faith" Eph 4:5.

Jude 1:3 (3588 e) te........definitive article......dative feminine singular

Jude 1:3 Greek Text Analysis

Strong's Greek: 3588. ὁ, (ho, hé, to) -- the

Then there is one's personal belief/faith that may or may not align with "the faith", the truth", "the gospel".

 

[Ronald Nolette]

- What's the difference between faith and "the Faith"?
- What faith was once delivered/entrusted to us?
- Was it faith, or "the Faith"?
- Is faith from God?
- Is "the Faith" man-made?

Jude 3 KJV
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

COMPARE

Jude 3 NIV
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share,
I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.

View attachment 48713

When you translate from Greek to English you find that it is "the faith" which is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and physically rose from the dead according to Scripture.

Word for word transliteration fails to pass proper rules of grammar and translating due to all the nuanced rules of language.

 

[St. SteVen]

When you translate from Greek to English you find that it is "the faith" which is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and physically rose from the dead according to Scripture.

Can you substantiate that claim? Where is the term "the faith" in the Greek? (you might want to re-read the OP in post #1)



[

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Can you substantiate that claim? Where is the term "the faith" in the Greek? (you might want to re-read the OP in post #1)

View attachment 49144

[

Your answer is right above from Bible hub.. Look at the last 6 words in Greek and then follow the rules for translation (what is above is transliteration) and you will see it is "the faIth".

 

[St. SteVen]

Your answer is right above from Bible hub.. Look at the last 6 words in Greek and then follow the rules for translation (what is above is transliteration) and you will see it is "the faIth".

Thanks, but that's the question here.

Is "for the once for all having been delivered to the saints faith" a reference to "faith" (the "faith"), or a reference to "the Faith"? These are two different things.

Is this in reference to the PERSONAL faith required to be a believer, or to a SYSTEM of religious practice required to be a member of the institutional church.

- Was the PERSONAL faith required to be a believer, delivered once for all? (faith)
- Or was it the SYSTEM of religious practice required to be a member of the institutional church, delivered once for all? (the Faith)

[

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Thanks, but that's the question here.

Is "for the once for all having been delivered to the saints faith" a reference to "faith" (the "faith"), or a reference to "the Faith"? These are two different things.

Is this in reference to the PERSONAL faith required to be a believer, or to a SYSTEM of religious practice required to be a member of the institutional church.

- Was the PERSONAL faith required to be a believer, delivered once for all? (faith)
- Or was it the SYSTEM of religious practice required to be a member of the institutional church, delivered once for all? (the Faith)

[

Well based on what I have seen in the word for 50 years now, it is both.

The faith is the ability to trust in the death, and physical resurrection of Jesus for our sin debt. And that is THE faith in that it ids what is required to believe in in order to become a member of the living organism called the church.

"INstitutional Church" does not necessarily equate to "THE Church"

 

[St. SteVen]

"INstitutional Church" does not necessarily equate to "THE Church"

How are defining the term "THE Church"?
Do you mean the Body of Christ, the church? (Jesus followers) ???

[

 

[Ronald Nolette]

How are defining the term "THE Church"?
Do you mean the Body of Christ, the church? (Jesus followers) ???

[

Yes. I define THE church as all who have been born again no matter what human term (sect or denomination) they also have. For example I am part of the church who fellowships in an SBC denomination or institution

 

[St. SteVen]

Yes. I define THE church as all who have been born again no matter what human term (sect or denomination) they also have. For example I am part of the church who fellowships in an SBC denomination or institution

Okay, thanks.
My questions from posts #11 and #13 have not been addressed to my satisfaction. (so be it, if need be)
What was "delivered once for all"? [the] faith, or The Faith? Definitions below.

[the] faith = The PERSONAL faith required to be a believer.
The Faith = The SYSTEM of religious practice required to be a member of the institutional church. (assuming personal faith in the individual)

[

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Okay, thanks.
My questions from posts #11 and #13 have not been addressed to my satisfaction. (so be it, if need be)
What was "delivered once for all"? [the] faith, or The Faith? Definitions below.

[the] faith = The PERSONAL faith required to be a believer.
The Faith = The SYSTEM of religious practice required to be a member of the institutional church. (assuming personal faith in the individual)

[

Well given those two choices I would say personal faith. It is actually the gospel that is "THE Faith". And that good news is what was once for all delieverd to the saints. but as it is what is required for salvation- I lean to your first.

Religious practices have differed since the gospel went out to the gentiles. There was a huge division in the church between Jew and Gentile and how they practiced their faith.

 

[St. SteVen]

It is actually the gospel that is "THE Faith".

Good post, thanks.
How did you arrive at this conclusion?

My view is that [the] faith, not "THE Faith" was what was delivered once.
But your quote above is compelling. You may be onto something with that.
One of my tests is to drop the suggested word into the verse text to see if it works.

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for" the gospel "which was once delivered unto the saints."

I like that fact that "the gospel" is a constant.
(though it may be difficult to find consensus on what it is)

There may be better consensus with the word faith. The term "the faith" in this verse.
Saved by grace through faith. Not saved by grace through THE faith.

[

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Good post, thanks.
How did you arrive at this conclusion?

My view is that [the] faith, not "THE Faith" was what was delivered once.
But your quote above is compelling. You may be onto something with that.
One of my tests is to drop the suggested word into the verse text to see if it works.

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for" the gospel "which was once delivered unto the saints."

I like that fact that "the gospel" is a constant.
(though it may be difficult to find consensus on what it is)

There may be better consensus with the word faith. The term "the faith" in this verse.
Saved by grace through faith. Not saved by grace through THE faith.

[

Well with the Ephesians passage, it is faith (trust) in THE FAITH that saves. It becomes hard to understand when you look at, but "faith" is a verb and "THE Faith" is a noun.

Exercising faith in THE faith is what saves us.