Unless someone is committed to assuming the language of belief is always limited to just believing, the evidence suggests that sometimes believing is used as a synecdoche. A synecdoche exists when a part of a whole refers to the whole as in the statement, "I have wheels." Wheels functions as a synecdoche to signify "I have a car." Context must determine whether or not faith functions as a synecdoche in any particular text.
Sometimes biblical authors use believing to refer to mere belief (Romans 4:3). At other times believing expresses actively trusting. When this occurs, faith can envelop everything involved in trusting and as such it can serve as shorthand designating the larger whole, such as conversion (Acts 15:7 [10:48]; 16:31-34).
Further evidence that faith can function as a synecdoche for conversion arises from examining every text related to salvation. For example, while Saul obviously believed on the road to Damascus, this did not save him. Why? Because days later Saul still needed to be forgiven of his sins (Acts 22:16). Hence, just believing did not save him.
Moreover, while Paul emphasized justification by faith he also describes salvation as involving baptism, an obedience from the heart setting one free from sin (Romans 6:3-7,17-18). For Paul, baptism was an act of faith through which God delivers us from sin to make us alive with Christ (Colossians 2:12-13).
Possible Usages of Believe and Faith
In order to hear what a biblical author intended to communicate, we must not default to our assumptions regarding word definitions or a doctrinal perspective. Considering the possible range of what an author meant by believe and how he used it offers the opportunity to hear the author and not merely an echo of our own thinking. What possibilities exist?
- An instance of just believing.
- The principle of just believing.
- The principle of trusting. Depending upon the trust scenario, faith might entail more than just believing.
- A synecdoche referring to conversion or some other larger whole.
Of course when faith is used as a noun or adjective, it might also refer to faithfulness, fidelity, the faithful or the teachings of the church.
Determining Usage
Unexamined assumptions are dangerous. Unfortunately, presuppositions often remain invisible because we assume we already understand.
What an author communicated with the language of believe, trust or faith is dependent upon each context. Sometimes these words might refer to just believing. At other times they may envelope everything involved in conversion. Still yet, ideas such as faithfulness might be in view.
Underlined phrases are links to resources.
- Believe: Sometimes A Synecdoche - 2026-01-07
- Christian Virtues Impact - 2025-12-17
- Works Vs. Doing - 2025-12-08