Exhortation – The Faith of Jesus

Most Bible readers will have puzzled at wording which says we are justified by "the faith of Jesus." Probably many will have consulted modern versions where the phrase is rendered "faith in Jesus" and will take the revised reading as clearing up their question. In the following article, Bro. Sales suggests the KJV has it right and we should consider the implications of the wording it gives. He is not negating the necessity of our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, Lord and Master. He is suggesting, however, that "justified by the faith of Jesus" underscores the completeness of our dependence on the Father and the Son.

In Galatians 2:16 the Spirit, through Paul, states clearly that we are justified (or regarded as righteous) by the faith of Christ.

“Know that a man is not justified by the works of law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ..that we might be justified by the faith of Christ.”

Modem versions of the Bible such as the RSV or NIV alter the wording of this passage to our being justified by our faith in Jesus. Is this saying the same thing? Is the faith of Jesus the same as faith in Jesus? No!

Consider Galatians 3:26: “For ye are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” In this passage the word “in” appears in the Greek text as a separate word. In Galatians 2:16, however, there is no Greek word for “in” or “of,” rather, the words “Je­sus Christ” are in the genitive case (which normally translates into “of Christ Jesus”) in this verse.1 That is, it is Jesus’ faith, the faith of Jesus — it belongs to him!

The point being made in Galatians 2:16 is thus not that our own faith in Jesus is counted for righteousness (as in Romans 4:5) but that we are justified by Jesus’ own faith.

Modern translations blur the point

Consider the following passages where similar concepts are presented and note the change in the modem translations:

Romans 3:22:

KJV “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe…”

NIV “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…”

Philippians 3:9

KJV “And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

NIV “And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

I Timothy 3:13

KJV “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus [i.e. Christ’s faith which he has within himself].”

NIV “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus“

Revelation 14:12:2

KJV “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

NIV “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.”

Righteousness and faith

All of these passages deal with two related and vital concepts: righteousness and faith. The point we are noting is that it is God’s righteousness and Christ’s faith. This is lost in the modern versions which speak of righteousness from God and faith in Jesus. This shifts the focus to us, the believer, and our own ability to remain faithful!

Here is a subtle but significant change in emphasis from a God-cen­tered to a man-centered idea.

Ironically it is this very emphasis that Paul is combating in Philippians 3. Note v. 3 — “have no confidence in the flesh” and v. 9 — “not having my own righteousness.” Jesus dealt directly with such an attitude in Luke 18 when he spoke a parable against “certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous.” They thought their own faith and ability could save them: “I fast, I give tithes, I’m not like others” (Lk. 18:9).

But it was the humble man, the one who acknowledged his need and dependence on God and His mercy, that went down to his house justified!

Now it is true that we must believe in Jesus, but the passages we have been considering are saying more: We are justified by the faith of Jesus, not our own. We can have no confidence in our own ability in any regard.

Our need is unlimited

There is a very practical application of this concept. Consider Philippians 3:4-8, noting the key point. No matter what we accomplish of our­selves, no matter how much zeal or determination we show, no matter how pure we keep ourselves, it is worthless if it is done without the faith of Jesus and the righteousness of God. Paul counted it all as dung, worthy only to be cast aside so that he might win Christ.

Jesus himself said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

Brothers and sisters: let us be emptied of self, putting no confidence in the flesh or our own righteousness.

Let us rather be filled with reliance on the faith of Jesus and the righteousness of God by which we can have great confidence and full assurance.

  1. Ed. The Interlinear Greek English by Alfred Marshall has “through faith of (in) Christ Jesus” with a footnote regarding the grammar that the word “Jesus” is in the “objective genitive, as Is shown by the intervening sentence (see also 3:22,26). Cf. ‘fear of God.”‘ In this situation, theology is being used to determine the translation of the original. Bro. Sales maintains the grammar should stand in its normal genitive sense — “of” Jesus — and doctrine should be adjusted to what is said, not what we think should be said.
  2. Ed. This verse uses the “faith of Jesus” as a synonym for the gospel message. It does, however, illustrate the free changes made by the NIV with regard to this subject.