“Littlefaiths”

“Why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith” Matthew 6:30 (NIV)

In this passage the disciples are addressed by Jesus as “O you (plural) of little faith”.
This is a translation of the single Greek word ὀλιγόπιστοι. Pronounced ‘ol-ig-op’-is-toi’, it’s a combination of the two Greek words, ὀλιγός and (ol-ig-os) meaning ‘little’ and πιστος (pi-stos) meaning ‘faith’. The word only occurs 4 times in the New Testament in the gospel of Matthew (once again in Luke 12:28 but in that instance referring to the same passage cited here in Matt 6:30). The four instances are Matthew 6:30, 8:20, 14:31 and 16:8. Apart from Matt 14:31 where Peter is addressed individually, in each case the word is in both in the plural and in the vocative case (the case of address). In each of the cases cited the word is directly attributed to the spoken words of Jesus. ὀλιγός is found in Hellenistic or ‘common’ Greek (the Greek of the New Testament) in many other combinations with other Greek words. For example it is combined with the word for soul with the meaning ‘fainthearted’, or literally ‘little of soul’. An example of this usage is found in Isaiah 35:4 in the Greek translation of the Old Testament:

“Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be Strong, do not fear; your God will come’..”

What is remarkable however is that the word ὀλιγόπιστοι though found very occasionally in later Christian writings is not in fact found elsewhere in secular Greek writings of the first century AD or before. So where did the word come from?

We know that Jesus gave nicknames to James and John, the ‘Sons of thunder’ (Mark 3:17). We also know He added the name Peter (from the Greek Petros, meaning rock) to Simon Bar Jonas (Mark 3:16). We also know that Jesus was fond of using word play, wit and irony throughout his teaching so is it indeed possible that the Lord Himself coined this very word ‘little–faiths’ as an affectionate name for his doubting disciples?

Throughout His ministry Jesus met many people with very different levels of faith. From the sense of hopelessness of the crippled man who lay at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15) to the woman who knew if she could but touch the hem of his garment she would be made whole (Matt 9:20-22)

However two of the more interesting examples of faith are those demonstrated by the Roman Centurion (Matt 8:5-13) and the woman of Canaan (Matt 15:21). What is remarkable about these gentiles was the maturity of their faith. Unlike a child who is always demanding ‘give me this, give me that’, the centurion and the Canaanite woman recognize their own sense of worthlessness before the Lord. The centurion identifies with the submission of Jesus to His Father’s authority. “For I also am a man under authority” he declares, the woman is happy to be under the table.
Both demonstrate remarkable faith which Jesus both acknowledges and responds with equally remarkable answers:

Matt 8:13 to the centurion      

Υπαγε, ὡς ἐπίστευσας γενηθήτω σοι –  Go, as you believed let it be for you

Matt 15:28 to the Canaanite woman      

ω γύναι, μεγάλη σου ἡ πίστις: γενηθήτω σοι ὡς θέλεις – O woman, great of-you the faith; let it be for you as you wish

What I find remarkable here is the maturity of the response from Jesus in that instead of simply declaring the servant of the centurion and the daughter of the Canaanite woman well, He makes no mention of them but rather empowers the faith of these two individuals to achieve the things they had requested.

When I read the above passages I can’t help being drawn to the usage here of the word γενηθήτω (pronounced ge-ne-the-to) used in both instances and, being in the imperative mood, having the meaning ‘Let it be’.
This is of course none other than the same word from the Greek version of Genesis 1:4 (et al) where God declares “Let there be light”. It is in turn a translation of the Hebrew word יְהִי (pronounced yehi ), being the divine directive for the creation of celestial phenomena.

When God spoke the words “Let there be ” did He ever for one moment doubt that perhaps nothing might happen? I speak here from the standpoint of our human understanding of God of course when I ask the question. But it raises the question if God in fact has or indeed needs faith or putting the question in a wider context we might also ask does God have hope? We are told there are three things that will remain, faith, hope and love (1 Cor 13:13). We also told that God is love (1 John 4:16) but is this His only attribute? Is God not also the source of hope and faith?
In similar fashion to both the centurion and the Canaanite woman we too come to God through Christ when we pray. Is our attitude of prayer childish or mature in nature. Do we come with the same level of maturity of faith as these two individuals?

Christ has already given the mandate
“All things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing you shall receive” (Matt 21:22)
When we come in faith to Christ we have the assurance of His response ”According to your faith let it be for you”
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Our prayers of faith can change and shape the world around us through the same power that God Himself exercised in the beginning when He spoke those words “Let there be” and His will came to pass and God saw that it was good.

The Scribbling Scribe
30th Aug 2009