Faithfulness
“Faithfulness, reliability”
Summary
The quality of being trustworthy, reliable, and constant, ascribed supremely to God who keeps His covenant promises and required of believers in their duties and relationships.
☩Faithfulness of God
The apostolic writers agree with general biblical teaching in ascribing faithfulness to God as 'keeping covenant and mercy to a thousand generations.' God's faithfulness rests upon His own nature, not upon any human contingencies: 'If we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.' This Divine faithfulness grounds forgiveness, deliverance in temptation, and confidence in final salvation.
☩Faithfulness of Christ
In Revelation, Christ is called 'the faithful witness' and victory is ascribed to Him who is 'faithful and true.' Hebrews shows that both Moses and Christ were examples of faithfulness, but Christ excelled insomuch as a son's faithfulness over God's house exceeds that of a servant in the house.
☩Faithfulness of Believers
Christian faithfulness is linked to the faithfulness of God and covers all of life. Those called to be stewards must be found faithful. He who is faithful in little is faithful also in much. The Lord commended faithful servants: 'Well done, good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of your lord.'
Related Verses45 mentions
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Faithfulness," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Faithfulness," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.American Tract Society, "Faithfulness," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).