Have you ever wondered how many times is faith mentioned in the Bible? Imagine you are on a treasure hunt, and the word “faith” is the shining gem you are searching for. As you turn the pages of the Bible, you will find this word again and again, guiding you like a light. In the NIV Bible, the word “faith” appears 247 times, but in other translations the number is a little different.
Faith is not just a word. It is the heart of many stories in the Bible from Abraham trusting God to Jesus teaching about the power of even a small faith. In this article, we will look at how many times “faith” appears in the Bible, what it means in Hebrew and Greek, and how both the Old and New Testaments talk about it. You will also see why faith is so important for every believer today.
How Many Times Does the Bible Mention Faith?
When we ask how many times does the Bible mention faith, the answer is not the same in every version. In the NIV Bible, the word “faith” appears 247 times. But if you read other versions, the count changes a little. This happens because every translation uses Hebrew and Greek words in a different way. Sometimes one Bible says “faith,” while another uses “faithfulness” or “trust.”
Faith in Different Bible Versions (With Table)
Here is a simple table showing how often the word “faith” appears in some popular English Bible versions:
| Bible Version | Mentions of “Faith” | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NIV (New International Version) | 247 | Modern, easy-to-read translation |
| KJV (King James Version) | 336 | Older style, uses “faith” more often |
| ESV (English Standard Version) | 243 | Close to NIV count |
| NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) | 250 | Balanced translation for study |
As you can see, the number changes a little from version to version. This is because the Hebrew word “emunah” (which means faith or faithfulness) and the Greek word “pistis” (which means trust or belief) can be translated in different ways.
First Appearance of Faith in the Bible
The first time the Bible talks about faith is in Genesis 15:6:
“Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”
Here, Abraham shows his trust in God’s promise. This is often called the foundation of faith in the Bible.
But it is important to note that in the Old Testament, the English word “faith” itself does not appear very often. Instead, words like faithfulness, trust, or belief are used. In Hebrew, the word emunah carries the meaning of being steady, loyal, and trusting God.
So, while the Old Testament does not repeat the word “faith” many times, the idea of living with trust in God is found everywhere.
Faith in the Old Testament
When we look at the Old Testament, the word faith itself does not appear very often in the NIV Bible. In fact, it is mentioned only a few times. Most of the time, the Hebrew words “emunah” (which means faith or faithfulness) and “aman” (which means to believe or trust) are used. These words show that in the Old Testament, faith is more about trusting God and being faithful to Him than about repeating the word itself.
Frequency of Faith in Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the exact word “faith” is rare. The NIV Bible uses it only a handful of times. But the idea of faith is everywhere. The Hebrew word emunah describes faith as steadiness, loyalty, and reliability, while aman means to believe or to trust. Together, these words tell us that the Old Testament speaks of faith more through actions of trust and obedience than through the word itself.
Examples of Faith in the Old Testament
- Abraham (Genesis 15:6): Abraham believed God’s promise, and it was counted to him as righteousness. This shows how trusting God’s word is at the heart of faith.
- Noah (Genesis 6): Noah built the ark even when there was no sign of rain. His trust in God’s warning saved his family.
- Moses (Exodus): Moses led Israel out of Egypt by trusting God’s power and promises. His whole journey shows faith in action.
Context of Faith in OT
In the Old Testament, faith is less about repeating a word and more about living it out. Faith means trusting God’s covenant, obeying His commands, and staying loyal even when life is difficult. It is about action, not just belief in the mind. The heroes of the Old Testament show that real faith is seen in obedience and daily trust in God.
Faith in the New Testament
The New Testament is full of the word faith. Out of the 247 mentions in the NIV Bible, most are found here. This shows how central faith is to the Christian life. One special place is Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Faith.” In this one chapter alone, faith is mentioned around 25 times, listing examples of people who trusted God against all odds.
Frequency of Faith in New Testament
The New Testament highlights faith as the key to salvation, healing, and daily living. Unlike the Old Testament, where the word is rare, here it appears again and again. Faith is shown not just as a belief but as a way of life for followers of Jesus Christ.
Teachings of Jesus on Faith
Jesus often taught about the power of faith in simple yet powerful ways:
- Mustard seed faith (Matthew 17:20): Jesus said even faith as small as a mustard seed could move mountains. This means that true faith, no matter how small, has great power.
- Faith brings healing (Mark 5:34): Jesus told a woman, “Your faith has healed you.” Here, faith is shown as the bridge between human trust and God’s power.
The Apostle Paul wrote many letters that teach us about faith. He explained how faith connects us with God’s grace:
- Ephesians 2:8–9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God.” Paul shows that salvation is not earned but received by faith.
- Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here, Paul makes it clear that faith makes us right with God.
Biblical Meaning of Faith (Hebrew & Greek)
To truly understand the Bible’s teaching on faith, we need to look at the original languages Hebrew in the Old Testament and Greek in the New Testament.
Hebrew Meaning (Old Testament)
The Hebrew word “emunah” means faithfulness, steadiness, or loyalty. In the Old Testament, faith was about being steady and true to God, trusting His promises, and living in obedience to Him.
Greek Meaning (New Testament)
The Greek word “pistis” means trust, belief, or conviction. In the New Testament, it describes trusting in Jesus Christ and believing in God’s promises with full confidence.
Theological Definition
The clearest biblical definition of faith is in Hebrews 11:1:
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
This verse shows that faith is not about what we can see with our eyes, but about trusting what God has promised, even when it is not visible yet.
Why Is Faith So Important in the Bible?
Faith is not just another word in the Bible. It is the foundation of the Christian life. From the beginning of Genesis to the teachings of Jesus and the letters of Paul, faith is shown as the key to walking with God. Let’s see why the Bible makes faith so important.
Faith as the Basis of Salvation
The Bible is clear that without faith, we cannot please God. Hebrews 11:6 says:
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Salvation is not something we can earn by good works. It is a gift we receive through faith. Faith is the way we accept God’s grace and enter into a real relationship with Him.
Faith as Daily Christian Living
Faith is not only about the moment of salvation—it is also about how we live every day. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says:
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
This means we do not rely only on what we can see or understand. Instead, we trust God to guide us step by step. Faith helps us make choices, face challenges, and keep walking in God’s will even when the future is uncertain.
Faith as Hope in Trials
Life is full of tests and hardships, but faith gives us the strength to keep going. James 1:3 says:
“The testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Faith does not remove all our problems, but it gives us hope and courage to face them. It reminds us that God is with us, even in pain, and He will use our struggles to make us stronger.
FAQs: About How Many Times Is Faith Mentioned in the Bible?
What phrase is repeated 365 times in the Bible?
Many people say the phrase “Do not be afraid” or “Fear not” appears 365 times in the Bible one for every day of the year. While the exact number can vary depending on the translation, the message is the same: God encourages us to live in faith, not fear.
What are the three types of faith in the Bible?
The Bible often highlights three main types of faith:
1. Saving faith – trusting Jesus for salvation (Ephesians 2:8).
2. Living faith – walking daily in obedience and trust (2 Corinthians 5:7).
3. Little or weak faith – when trust in God is present but needs growth (Matthew 14:31).
What word is repeated 41 times in the Bible?
The word “vanity” is repeated around 41 times in the Bible, especially in the book of Ecclesiastes. It emphasizes the temporary and fleeting nature of earthly pursuits compared to the eternal value of living with God.
What word is in the Bible 222 times?
The word “wisdom” is mentioned about 222 times in the Bible. Wisdom is highly valued in both the Old and New Testaments, especially in Proverbs, where it is described as a precious treasure guiding believers to live according to God’s will.
Conclusion
Faith is mentioned 247 times in the NIV Bible, from Genesis all the way to Revelation. Different translations may show different counts, but the heart of the message never changes: faith is the key to salvation, trust in God, and daily Christian living.
If you want to strengthen your faith, start with Hebrews 11. There you will find the “Hall of Faith,” where Abraham, Noah, Moses, and many others show us how to trust God in every season of life. Their stories remind us that faith is not just a word it is a way of living close to God.
Just like Abraham and Moses, we see many powerful examples of obedience in the Bible that inspire faith, reminding us how trust and action go hand in hand.