What is faithfulness in the Bible?

Faithfulness (Greek: pistis) is one of the nine fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. The World English Bible translates this word as 'faith' in Galatians 5:22, and many translations render it 'faithfulness'. It's trust in God that shows up as reliability: keeping your word, showing up and staying the course.

What faithfulness looks like

• Keeping small promises
• Steady habits with God
• Loyalty in hard seasons

Counterfeit: Big promises with little follow-through.

Opposite: Flakiness, broken promises and quitting when it's boring.

15 Bible verses about faithfulness

He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

Luke 16:10 (WEB)

They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:23 (WEB)

Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 4:2 (WEB)

Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?

Proverbs 20:6 (WEB)

let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (WEB)

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Matthew 25:21 (WEB)

Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 36:5 (WEB)

Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:3 (WEB)

No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (WEB)

Know therefore that Yahweh your God himself is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness to a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Deuteronomy 7:9 (WEB)

I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 (WEB)

Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10 (WEB)

A contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever. With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 89:1 (WEB)

He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (WEB)

Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (WEB)

3 ways to practise faithfulness today

• One small promise: Make one small promise, to someone else or yourself, due in the next two days.
• Keep it: Follow through on your promise and mark it honestly.
• Renegotiate honestly: If a promise isn't going to happen, renegotiate it with the person before the deadline.

In the Ninefruit app, the faithfulness journey has five stages and its own tool, Small Promises: Make one small, specific promise with a date. When the day comes, mark it honestly: kept, renegotiated or missed.

A prayer for faithfulness

Faithful God, make me someone others can rely on.

Is faithfulness your strongest fruit, or your growing one? Take the free test.