faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy

Definition

To be “faithful” to God means to consistently live according to God’s teachings. It means to be loyal to him by obeying him. The state or condition of being faithful is “faithfulness.”

• A person who is faithful can be trusted to always keep his promises and to always fulfill his responsibilities to other people.
• A faithful person perseveres in doing a task, even when it is long and difficult.
• Faithfulness to God is the consistent practice of doing what God wants us to do.

Translation Suggestions

• In many contexts, “faithful” can be translated as “loyal” or “dedicated” or “dependable.”
• In other contexts, “faithful” can be translated by a word or phrase that means “continuing to believe” or “persevering in believing and obeying God.”
• Ways that “faithfulness” could be translated could include “persevering in believing” or “loyalty” or “trustworthiness” or “believing and obeying God.”

(See also: believe, faith, believe)

Bible References

• Genesis 24:49
• Leviticus 26:40
• Numbers 12:7
• Joshua 2:14
• Judges 2:16-17
• 1 Samuel 2:9
• Psalm 12:1
• Proverbs 11:12-13
• Isaiah 1:26
• Jeremiah 9:7-9
• Hosea 5:7
• Luke 12:46
• Luke 16:10
• Colossians 1:7
• 1 Thessalonians 5:24
• 3 John 1:5

Examples from the Bible stories

• __8:5 Even in prison, Joseph remained faithful__ to God, and God blessed him.
• __14:12 Even so, God was still faithful__ to His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• __15:13 The people promised to remain faithful__ to God and follow his laws.
• __17:9 David ruled with justice and faithfulness__ for many years, and God blessed him. However, toward the end of his life he sinned terribly against God.
• __35:12 “The older son said to his father, ‘All these years I have worked faithfully__ for you!’”
• __49:17 But God is faithful__ and says that if you confess your sins, he will forgive you.
• __50:4 “If you remain faithful__ to me to the end, then God will save you.”

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0529, H0530, H0539, H0540, H0571, H0898, H2181, H4603, H4604, H4820, G05690, G05710, G41030