Pistis

Pistis is the Greek word translated faith, and it carries the double sense of trust and trustworthiness — both believing and being reliable. Biblical faith is not a leap in the dark or wishful thinking; it is confident reliance on someone worthy of it. Hebrews defines it as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen — a settled assurance grounded in God's character and promises.

Pistis is the hand that receives grace: we are saved by grace through faith. It is not a work that earns salvation but the empty hand that takes the gift. And it is meant to grow — from the mustard-seed faith Jesus commended, through the tested faith that James says works patience, into the faithfulness (the same word) that marks a life staked on God.