2 Coríntios 13

2 Coríntios 13:5

Garland writes that “Faith” here does not refer simply to trust in Christ, which is its primary meaning in Paul’s usage, but to the whole Christian way and truth (see Titus 1:13; 2:2). It is not a matter of examining their doctrines, however, but of bringing their conduct and thinking into conformity with their belief in Christ. (The New American Commentary) The faith - Notice that in this context "the faith" is a specific phrase (definite article "the" plus "faith" - Click for more on phrase the faith) which is found some 38 times in the NASB, some instances referring to personal faith in Christ, saving faith which is exercised by the individual and which is necessary for salvation. Bernard says the faith is "the objective Christian creed" (The Expositor's Greek Testament;) (In other words = What is believed. The objective body of truth believed or by which one is saved). The faith - Acts 3:16; 6:7; 13:8; 14:22; 16:5; Rom 4:11f, 16; 14:22; 1 Cor 16:13; 2 Cor 13:5; Gal 1:23; 3:23; 6:10; Eph 1:15; 4:13; Phil 1:25, 27; Col 1:23; 1 Tim 1:2, 14; 3:9, 13; 4:1, 6; 5:8; 6:10, 21; 2 Tim 1:13; 2:18; 3:8; 4:7; Titus 1:1, 13; 3:15; Philemon 1:5; Jude 1:3; Rev 13:10 As you read the NT, remember that the specific meaning of this phrase the faith depends on the context (the text that goes with the text in question). As alluded to above, approximately one-half of these 38 occurrences of the faith refer not to the act of believing, but rather to the object of the belief, or to what is believed, the latter being the usage which is most apropos in the present context. On the other hand, we would be remiss not to emphasize that genuine personal faith is absolutely necessary if we are to be in the faith to which Paul refers here in 2Cor 13:5. The first use of the faith referring to the body of truth believed is recorded by Luke who writes that the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7+)