The Present Tense Of Saving Faith

In Greek, the present tense of a verb signifies a continual, on-going action. There are many instances in the New Testament where present tense verbs are used to emphasize that true saving faith is a lasting faith. For example, the Apostle Paul writes:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The Greek word for “believes” here is the verb pisteuō (πιστεύω) in the present tense. The Gospel results in salvation only to those who keep on believing. Likewise, in his famous verse, the Apostle John writes:

John 3:16 ESV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Again, the Greek word for “believes” here is the verb pisteuō in the present tense. Thus, John makes it clear that it is only those who keep on believing in Jesus who have eternal life.

The lasting nature of true saving faith is one of the major themes of the writings of the Apostle John. In the Gospel of John, he gives an example of faith which does not last:

John 8:30–32 As he was saying these things, many believed in him. ₃₁ Therefore Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him: If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples, ₃₂ and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

Notice the conditional if in verse 31. The implication is that if the Jews did not remain in Jesus’ word, then it would be clear that they were not truly his disciples.

Interestingly, in verse 30, when John wrote that they “believed” in Jesus, he did not use the present tense. What follows is a rather hostile exchange between Jesus and these Jews. The account ends in verse 59 with the Jews picking up stones to stone Jesus. They did not meet the condition of the if, and the cessation of their faith proved that they were never Jesus’ disciples from the start.