Women of Faith in the Bible

 

God’s Word speaks very highly of those who had faith. There are many examples of women of faith in the Bible, and we can learn much by studying their stories.

Many strong women of faith are mentioned in the Bible. The following are some of the more recognizable women of faith covered in other articles in this section:

• Sarah.
• Rebekah.
• Leah.
• Rahab.
• Deborah.
• Manoah’s wife.
• Ruth.
• Hannah.
• Abigail.
• Esther.
• Elizabeth.
• Mary.
• Martha and Mary.

Who has not heard of Sarah? She was Abraham’s wife, and her faith is recorded in Hebrews 11:11: “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

Who has not heard of Ruth? She was a Moabite woman who showed loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and her God. Her character and faith in God brought her many blessings, including being listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).

There are many other amazing women recorded in the Bible who were blessed by God because of their faith. It’s important to remember and learn from these faithful women as well.

What is faith?

Faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1; see our article “What Is Faith?”). Sarah was well beyond the childbearing years, yet she bore Isaac just as God had said. She judged God to be faithful in what He had promised, and she was blessed because of her faith.

The Bible chronicles many such women of faith—women who believed and trusted in God. Their stories are found throughout the Scriptures.

For example, the story of Rahab is found in Joshua 2, and she—a gentile—is mentioned again in Hebrews 11:31 as having faith: “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

One of the most fascinating statements of faith is found in Hebrews 11:35: “Women received their dead raised to life again.”Examples abound of both Israelite and gentile women having faith. One of the most fascinating statements of faith is found in Hebrews 11:35: “Women received their dead raised to life again.”

Who were those women? The author of Hebrews does not specifically say, but there are at least four women in the Bible who did witness the resurrection of their children.

We may not often read their brief stories, but in each case, the faith of those women and those around them were increased, and reading of their experiences helps us also increase our faith in God.

Some lesser-known women of faith in the Bible who received an amazing miracle

1. The widow of Zarephath.

Her son had become very sick and died. Whereupon, Elijah the prophet “cried out to the LORD and said, ‘O LORD my God, I pray, let this child’s soul [life, New International Version] come back to him.’ Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, ‘See, your son lives!’

“Then the woman said to Elijah, ‘Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth’” (1 Kings 17:21-24).

2. The Shunammite woman.

Her child was a miracle from God. She had been unable to conceive; but through God’s blessing, she finally bore a son.

When her son was young, he had a sudden illness and died. She laid him on the bed where Elisha slept when he traveled through the area. “When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.

“And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself out on the child, and the flesh of the child became warm. He returned and walked back and forth in the house, and again went up and stretched himself out on him; then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

“And he called Gehazi and said, ‘Call this Shunammite woman.’ So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, ‘Pick up your son.’  So she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; then she picked up her son and went out” (2 Kings 4:32-37).

3. The widow of Nain.

This lady lost her only son. Jesus was moved with compassion and, for her sake, resurrected her son.

“And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

“Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us’; and, ‘God has visited His people’” (Luke 7:12-16).

4. Jairus and his wife.

Jairus was a ruler in a local synagogue. He and his wife were desperate since their only daughter was dying. So Jairus came to Jesus asking that their sick daughter be healed.

On the way to their house, another faithful woman experienced a miracle by simply touching Jesus’ clothing. “Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.

“When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, ‘If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.’ Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched My clothes?’ …

“But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith had made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction’” (Mark 5:25-30, 33-34).

Just then some came from Jairus’ house and said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (verse 35).

But Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; only believe” (verse 36).

“He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement” (verses 40-42).

Faith in our future and the future of all who have died

A woman’s love for her children is very strong. These women “received their dead raised to life again” just as Hebrews 11:35 said. In these four cases, women observed their children’s resurrections; and by what they and others saw, their faith was strengthened.

How much greater will be the time when all women will receive their dead back to life? This is the promise Jesus gave His disciples, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth” (John 5:28-29).

That is the hope of all—the resurrection from the dead! It takes faith to believe this is going to happen!

Characteristics of a woman of faith

By studying these stories of faithful women mentioned in the Bible, we can learn what it takes to become such a woman. There are shared characteristics in their stories.

1. A woman of faith has a relationship with God.

We must believe in and understand who God is. He is our Father, and He wants us to have a close relationship with Him. One way to accomplish that is by praying to Him regularly. The women of faith in the Bible did that often.

2. A woman of faith has a belief in God’s words.

God’s words are life, and they give us encouragement and comfort. He wants us to consider what is in the Bible. It is important to read and meditate upon what God says. The women of faith in the Bible often knew what God had said and believed in His words.

3. A woman of faith has hope in the future.

What does God plan for all of us? He wants us to be in His Kingdom. The stories of the four women who had their children raised from the dead can strengthen our faith and understanding of God’s promise to resurrect the dead, and that God’s Kingdom will come.

Other women of faith in the Bible

The Bible records a number of other women who had faith, for example, Naomi, Jael, Mary Magdalene, Anna, Dorcas, Priscilla, Phoebe, Eunice and Lois.

The story of these and other women of faith may be written in future articles. Please check this “Women of Faith” section often and learn how these women trusted in God and believed in His ways.

The Faith of Abraham

 

What was so special about the faith of Abraham? In what ways did Abraham demonstrate his faith, and what lessons can we learn from the father of the faithful?

Abraham: a man of faith

The apostle Paul wrote about Abraham’s faith in Romans 4:3: “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness’” (emphasis added throughout).

Paul was quoting from Genesis 15:6. What example of Abraham’s faith was Paul referring to?

A profound example of the faith of Abraham

The answer is in Genesis 15:4-6: “And behold, the word of the LORD came to him [Abraham], saying, ‘This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.’ Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

This extraordinary, unwavering belief that Abraham had in God’s power and promises was what Paul recounted.

“Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:18-21).

Paul noted that Abraham’s belief was unhampered by the fact that he was almost a hundred years old; he was not weak in faith. He was strong in faith.

What is faith? Faith is a deep conviction that God’s words are true and that God will perform all that He promises. Abraham simply believed that God would do what He said.

Nothing is too hard for God. Nothing is impossible for God. That is an example for all of us today, that our faith should be strong in God.

An earlier example of Abraham’s faith

“Now the LORD had said to Abram, ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great. …’ So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him” (Genesis 12:1-2, 4).

Hebrews 11, the Faith Chapter, tells us what was so extraordinary about this departure: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

Abraham departed, and he trusted and believed God that He would guide him and his family into uncharted territory. There was no questioning and no wavering! He showed his faith by departing. This was a profound act of faith.

(For more insight on maintaining faith in uncertain times, read our blog post “What Does ‘Walk by Faith, Not by Sight’ Mean?”)

The faith of Abraham continued

After Abraham came into the land of Canaan, he continued to be a stranger and a pilgrim in that foreign land. But he believed God, who had promised that one day he and his descendants would inherit that land.

We, too, live our lives as strangers and pilgrims on this earth, waiting with patience and faith for the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth, ruling from Jerusalem.Genesis 13:14-17 records that promise to Abraham: “And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: ‘Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and width, for I give it to you.’”

Looking for a city whose builder and maker is God

In addition to appreciating the promised blessing of land for his descendants, Abraham grew in his faith toward God and personally anticipated a spiritual reward.

Hebrews 11:9-10 records this process: “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Abraham (along with other people of faith) anticipated a permanent city and country to come: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. … But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16).

We, too, live our lives as strangers and pilgrims on this earth, waiting with patience and faith for the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth, ruling from Jerusalem. We, too, are sojourners, desiring a better heavenly country—a country that is coming in the future.

How did Abraham prove his faith in God?

Abraham’s faith was tested again, in the most challenging way. Hebrews 11:17 relates the supreme test of Abraham’s faith: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.”

Abraham believed that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead, if God had not spared Isaac’s life (Genesis 22).

Abraham must have believed that God had a very good reason for asking him to sacrifice Isaac, and that somehow Isaac would have to be raised from the dead to fulfill the promises God had made concerning him.

Abraham’s willingness to give up his son was a type of God the Father’s willingness to give His only begotten Son (Christ) as a sacrifice. We who are of the faith of Abraham must also believe that God can resurrect the dead.

Lessons from the faith of Abraham

Since Abraham’s faith is so often mentioned in the Bible, there are many lessons we can learn.

First of all, Abraham was justified by faith. God has ordained that all should be justified by faith. That means we are declared blameless in His sight by the blood of the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ and by faith in God.

The father of faith

In explaining the significance of the righteousness of faith, Paul also acknowledged Abraham’s role as the father of the faithful.

“For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also” (Romans 4:9-11).

So, whether one is Jewish or not, those who have the righteousness of faith, righteousness imputed to them by God, they are the children of our father Abraham (verse 12). All must have faith walking in Abraham’s steps.

“Preached the gospel to Abraham”

We must remember that the promises of God given to Abraham are realized through faith. Abraham and his seed, his true descendants who have faith, will inherit the promises of God given to Abraham.

As Romans 4:13 says: “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

The promises given to Abraham are part of the gospel message—the good news. Abraham heard and believed in the gospel.

Galatians 3:8 says: “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” (The scripture being quoted is a combination of a promise in Genesis 12:3 and 22:18.)

This is a good example for us who hear the gospel today. Not all obey. “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:16-17).

There is a difference between trusting in our own “works” and trusting in God in order to be justified and saved.In Abraham’s Seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed. We are blessed through the righteous Seed of Abraham, who is Jesus Christ.

Abraham’s faith and works

There is a difference between trusting in our own “works” and trusting in God in order to be justified and saved. And there is a difference between relying on the law, as the Jews did, and doing good works that demonstrate obedience and living faith.

Abraham is our object lesson in this regard.

James explained: “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled, which says, ‘Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God. You see then, that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:20-24).

Our faith is perfected as we do good works.

We should do good works in faith, as our father Abraham did. As John 8:39 says: “If you were Abraham’s children you would do the works of Abraham.”

Abraham did many works that demonstrated his strong faith in God. Jesus Christ told the Jewish leaders of His day, “But now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this” (verse 40).

Abraham believed the truth from the mouths of God’s messengers and from the mouth of the Lord.

The faith of Abraham is living faith

We need to do what our father Abraham did. We need to believe that God can do the impossible and that nothing is too hard for God. We need to believe in God’s power and promises, without wavering. We need to believe and be willingly obedient to God, to come out of this world and depart from sin.

We also need to trust God’s guidance and direction in leading us into uncharted territory. As we journey through life as pilgrims and strangers in the world, we need to look in faith to the coming Kingdom of God and the New Jerusalem. Our faith in the future inheritance of the world to come should motivate us to live by faith.

Finally, through Abraham’s example, we see that we must demonstrate our faith by being obedient to God and doing good works that demonstrate our faith. Our faith is perfected by doing good works.

Having faith and doing good works is a living faith. “I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

Abraham certainly showed us all his faith by his works. Are you going to follow Abraham’s example? This is the most important step you can take.

May God help you make these critical changes in your life so you can inherit the same reward as Abraham when Jesus returns and establishes the Kingdom of God here on earth! 

What Is Faith?

 

What is faith? It is trust, assurance and confidence in God. Living faith is shown by service and obedience to God. How can we increase our faith?

The expression “just have faith, it will work out” is used by people to encourage and comfort someone facing serious problems or stressful situations. But just what is faith as described in the Bible, and does it really work?

 In the New Testament the English word faith is used to translate the Greek word pistis. The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words says, “Pistis is used of belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same. ‘Faith’ means trust, confidence, assurance, and belief” (p. 1315).

The Bible also defines pistis in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith is the substance or assurance of things we hope for, but have not yet received. Faith (confidence, belief, trust) is also our evidence of that which is not seen—the invisible spiritual things. Faith comes before a prayer is answered or before an individual has received what he or she has requested from God. If we have received what we asked for, then faith is not needed.

What is faith? A New Testament example

An example of this definition is found in Matthew 9:27-30 where two blind men came to Jesus and asked Him to heal them. Jesus first asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” and their reply was, “Yes, Lord.” “Then He touched their eyes saying, ‘According to your faith let it be to you.’ And their eyes were opened.”

Their faith and assurance that Jesus could give them sight was the substance or reality they hoped for. It also gave them the evidence or trust that they would receive what they asked for. They believed; that is, they had faith in advance that it would be done.

An Old Testament example of faith

Another example is that of Daniel’s three friends who refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold. Those who refused to bow to the image were threatened with being thrown into a fiery pit alive.

The three young Jewish men (Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego) who refused to bow to the image told King Nebuchadnezzar: “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

They did not know in advance how God would deliver them from the fiery furnace, whether at that time by saving their physical lives or later in the resurrection. Their faith or trust was the substance of what they hoped for, and it was the evidence of that which was not yet seen or received.

Their faith or trust was built on serving God and obeying His commandments. They believed God would deliver them because they obeyed His commandments and did not bow down to worship any others gods.

(For more insight on living by faith in our daily lives, read our blog post “What Does ‘Walk by Faith, Not by Sight’ Mean?”)

Faith without works is dead

The apostle James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ, uses the example of Abraham, who had both faith and works because he believed God and he obeyed what God commanded him to do.

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” (James 2:21-22).

Real faith is more than just believing in God alone. It includes acting on that faith in one’s life by serving God and obeying His commandments.

Faith is increased by drawing closer to God through prayer and the study of His Word, the Bible.Some may argue that James’ teaching that we should obey the commandments of God is teaching that we are saved by works. That is not the case. The apostle Paul makes this clear when he says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Paul clearly understood and wrote that no one could earn salvation and that faith itself is a gift from God. Yet in the very next verse he went on to say that we are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (verse 10).

Like James, Paul knew living faith would be accompanied by service and obedience to God and His laws. Paul wrote in Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”

What is the difference between faith and belief?

Many in Christianity today use the words faith and belief interchangeably. But is there a difference between these words in the Bible?

Generally they are synonymous, and sometimes they are translated from the same Greek word. Actually, the only time the word belief appears in the New King James Version of the Bible, it is translated from pistis, the word for faith (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

But the word believe can carry a different shade of meaning.

The apostle James wrote in his epistle about what he called dead faith. Dead faith is when one believes in God, but does not obey His commandments.

James wrote, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20, emphasis added).

Here believe is translated from a related Greek word, pisteuo. James contrasts simple belief with living faith.

As Christians, we must strive for living faith—belief in God demonstrated by good works according to His laws and commandments. If we simply believe in Jesus Christ, believe that God exists and believe that He is the Creator God, we’re on the same level of belief as the demons!

But if our belief in these things inspires us to be obedient to God and changes the way we live our life, then we truly have faith and will be considered faithful if we consistently increase and grow in our relationship with God.

God gives faith to those who seek it

Faith is increased by drawing closer to God through prayer and the study of His Word, the Bible.

Paul told the Philippians to “be anxious for nothing [don’t worry], but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The members of the Church of God in Philippi believed God’s Word, and they obeyed His commandments. As they listened and followed Paul’s instruction on giving their cares to God in believing prayer, their faith (belief and trust) was increased.

Another way faith is increased is by reading or hearing examples of faith in the Bible publicly expounded. This is mentioned in Romans 10:17. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Today, we have the complete Word of God in many different translations. The Bible is God’s inspired Word to mankind. When we read the Bible, our faith (confidence and assurance) in God and Jesus Christ to answer our prayers and bring us through impossible situations increases.

What is faith? To summarize, faith is trust, assurance and confidence in God and Jesus Christ. Living faith is not just believing that God exists. It is demonstrated by one’s service and obedience to God.

God will increase our faith if we fervently ask Him for it and seek to draw closer to Him in prayer and the reading of His Word.

Learn more by studying the other articles in the “Faith” section.

Faith: Believing and Pleasing God

 

Today, millions are totally self-absorbed in their own lives, and their faith in God is greatly diminished.

What is faith?

In Romans 4:20-21, the apostle Paul describes Abraham’s faith: “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”

Faith is not just wishful thinking, but it is a deep conviction and belief that God’s words are true, and that He is able to bring about His promises. Our faith is made strong in Jesus Christ.

The Bible speaks of many other faithful people. They were persecuted, yet held fast to their beliefs, and have “obtained a good testimony through faith” (Hebrews 11:39) and pleased God. In fact, “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (verse 6 ).

We also need to have this type of faith. How can we grow in living faith? Learn more about this type of faith in the related articles.