Faith that grows

Rom 10:17

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

2Th 1:3

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;”

We have two statements here that is worth examining lest you think they imply the same thing. They are “faith cometh” and “faith growth”, it is possible for some to think that because faith comes by hearing that it also grows by hearing.

Firstly, the word “cometh by” in the Greek implies where it originates from, that is, your faith originates from, proceeds out of by your hearing. Whereas the word “groweth exceedingly” in the Greek means to increase above the ordinary. So while in Romans 10:17 we get the picture of someone just starting out, in 2 Thessalonians 1:3, we get the picture of something increasing. Now let us look at the meaning of the word grow in the dictionary:

1) (of a living thing) undergo natural development by increasing in size and changing physically.

› (grow up) progress to maturity or adulthood.

› (grow out of or into) become too large (or large enough) to wear.

2) come into existence and develop.

› (with reference to a plant) germinate or cause to germinate and develop.

3) become larger or greater over time; increase.

› develop or expand (an enterprise or business).

› become increasingly

Some words seem to be occurring over and over again: develop, increase, become larger and greater. So we take it that to grow means to develop, increase in size and to mature. So how do you develop, increase or make your faith larger? Is it just by hearing? No hearing just feeds your faith, but doing or exercising your faith is what will grow it, develop it. So use your faith today.