Fruit of The Spirit: (7) FAITHFULNESS

FAITHFULNESS is the seventh of the nine parts of the Fruit of The Spirit. In the bible, we can see "faithfulness" is rather similar to "truth", and is related to trust and stewardship. "Faithful" is rather similar to 'true" and also "trustworthy."  "Faithful" is also rather similar to "believe" and "believer." The part of the fruit of  the Spirit, called Faithfulness (in many bible versions including NKJV, RSV, NIV) are called Faith in the KJV.


22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23) (RSV)


Easton's Bible Dictionary.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/faithful.html

Faithful

as a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy ( Acts 10:45 ; 16:1 ;2 co 6:15 ; Colossians 1:2 ; 1 Timothy 4:3 1 Timothy 4:12 ; 5:16 ; 6:2 ; Titus 1:6 ; Ephesians 1:1 ;1 Corinthians 4:17 , etc.).

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:45) (KJV)

45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. (Acts 10:45) (NIV)

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: (Acts 16:1) (KJV)

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothylived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. (Acts 16:1) (NIV)

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (2 Corinthians 6:15) (KJV)

15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  (2 Corinthians 6:15) (NIV)

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2) (KJV)

2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father.[b]  (Colossians 1"2) (NIV)

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:3) (KJV)

3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:3) (NIV)

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12) (KJV)

12 Don’t let anyone look down on youbecause you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12) (NIV)

16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. (1 Timothy 5:16) (KJV)

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. (1 Timothy 5:16) (NIV)

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. (1 Timothy 6:2) (KJV)

2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. (1 Timothy 6:2) (NIV)

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. (Titus 1:6) (KJV)

6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. (Titus 1:6) (NIV)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 1:1) (KJV)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 1:1) (NIV)

17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17) (KJV)

17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my sonwhom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Corinthians  4:17) (NIV)

From the above verses, we could see that faitfulness is inter-related to faith, believe, believers. KJV described "faifulness" as "faith" in Galatians 5:22-23.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) (KJV)

It is used also of God's word or covenant as true and to be trusted ( Psalms 119:86 Psalms 119:138 ;Isaiah 25:1 ; 1 Timothy 1:15 ; Revelation 21:5 ; 22:6 , etc.).

86 All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!  (Psalms 119:86) (NKJV)

138 Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
Are righteous and very faithful. (Psalms 119:138) (NKJV)

O Lord, You are my God.
I will exalt You,
I will praise Your name,
For You have done wonderful things;
Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. (Isaiah 25:1) (NKJV)

5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. (1 Timothy 1:5) (NKJV)

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me,[b] “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:5) (NKJV)

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy[b] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. (Revelation 22:6) (NKJV)

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/faithfulness.html

Faithfulness [N] [T]

In the Old Testament, God's faithfulness and covenant love are closely related ( Deut 7:9 ; Psalm 25:10 ;85:10 ). The most profound example of his faithfulness is the bond between God and the people of the northern kingdom of Israel. In spite of their unfaithfulness, God reminds them that he is betrothed to them in faithfulness ( Hosea 2:20 ).

9 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;  (Deuteronomy 7:9) (NKJV)

10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Psalms 25:10) (NKJV)

10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. (Psalms 25:10) (NIV)

10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalms 25:10) (RSV)

10 Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed. (Psalms 85:10) (NKJV)

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other. (Psalms 85:10) (NIV)

20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the Lord. (Hosea 2:20) (NKJV)

In the above verses, we can see that faithfulness and truth is used with similar meaning.

The Israelites were expected to respond in faithfulness to God because he had acted faithfully to them through the covenant. David and other godly people chose to walk the faithful way, the way of truth ( Psalm 119:30 ). Just as God is both faithful and loving, those who believe in God need to exhibit faithfulness and steadfast love in their lives ( Prov 3:3 ).

30 I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me. (Psalms 119:30) (NKJV)

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I have set my heart on your laws. (Psalms 119:30) (NIV)

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart, (Proverbs 3:3) (NKJV)

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3) (NIV)

3 Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them about your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3) (RSV)

In the above verses, we also see that faithfulness is truth; mercy and truth (in NKJV) is love and faithfulness (in NIV).

In the New Testament, God also Acts in faithfulness: He provides for both good and evil people ( Matt 5:45); he rewards those who do his good will ( Matthew 6:4 Matthew 6:6 Matthew 6:18 ); he provides a way out for believers in the midst of temptation ( 1 Cor 10:13 ); he remains faithful as he fulfills his promises ( 2 Cor 1:18-19 ).

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.[a]
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[b]  (Matthew 6:3-6) (NKJV)

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-6) (NIV)

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[d] (Matthew 6:18) (NKJV)

God is faithful, and will reward those who do the various types of good deeds, including charity, prayer, and fasting.

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) (NKJV)

18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas[c] and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” (2 Corinthians 1:18-19) (NIV)

Paul reminds us that even when we are faithless God remains faithful because he cannot disown himself ( 2 Tim 2:13 ). John declares that Jesus is the faithful and true witness ( Rev 3:14 ), the Faithful and True ( Rev 19:11 ). God remains faithful to New Testament believers, both fulfilling and promising to fulfill the promises of the Old Testament.

13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:13) (NKJV)

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans[f] write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:  (Revelation 3:14) (NKJV)

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. (Revelation 19:11) (NKJV)

In the above verses, we can see the emphasis using double synonyms, Faithful and True. Because the word "truth" is almost similar to and interchangeable with the word "faithfulness."

Christians, like the Israelites, are to respond to God in faithfulness. Trustworthy servants must prove themselves to be faithful ( 1 Cor 4:2 ). Epaphrus and Tychicus are identified as faithful ministers of Christ (Col 1:7 ; 4:7 ). Paul remains faithful to God in spite of tremendous pressures ( 1 Tim 1:12 ). Timothy is to select teachers who will exhibit faithfulness, one of the outstanding characteristics of Christians. The Spirit of God enables Christians to remain faithful to both God and other believers ( Gal 5:22 ).

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2) (NKJV)

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2) (NIV)

7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,  (Colossians 1:7)  (NKJV)

7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. (Colossians 4:7) (NKJV)

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, (1 Timothy 1:12) (NKJV)

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. (1 Timothy 1:12) (NIV)

12 I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service, (1 Timothy 1;12) (RSV)

In the above verses, we can see the relation and similarity of the words "faithful" and "trustworthy," and the words "faithfulness" and "trust."  We also learn that a very important attribute for serving in God's ministry or service, is being faithful and trustworthy.

Monday, Feb 3, 2014.
Michael Yeap.