16: Fides

1. Term: Fides

Pronunciation: FEE-des
Meaning: Faith, trust, belief; confidence in God and His promises.

2. Biblical Usage:

  • Commonly used in the Latin Vulgate to describe the believer’s faith as the means of salvation and relationship with God.
  • Emphasizes both intellectual assent and trustful commitment.

3. Example Verse:

  • Hebrews 11:1 — “Fides est substantia rerum sperandarum, argumentum non apparentium.”
    (“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”)
  • Romans 5:1 — “Justificati igitur ex fide, pacem habemus ad Deum.”
    (“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God.”)

4. Theological Significance:

  • Fides forms the foundation of Christian doctrine concerning salvation and trust in God.
  • It is essential in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments as rendered in Latin.
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