The Coming of Faith: Faith Personified in Galatians 3:23-25

Abstract

Why does Paul talk about πίστις, usually translated as ‘faith’, coming and being revealed in Galatians 3:23-25? The traditional approach saw this referring to the way or era of faith that superseded the law. Numerous scholars, however, have objected that faith was a reality before the coming of Christ, and therefore πίστις must have a different referent. Alternative views have emerged, which variously interpret πίστις in 3:23-25 as Christ, Christ’s faithfulness, both human faith and Christ’s faithfulness, the gospel, or an objective apocalyptic event. Each of these is examined, and each has problems, including linguistic issues, and semantic overloading. Paul sees the coming of faith-in-Christ as an eschatological event. He distinguishes between the era of law and the era of faith, so that faith, and not the law, is what constitutes relationship to God in the new creation. Paul is employing the rhetorical device of personification, common in the ancient world, by which an impersonal entity is granted human characteristics. Scripture, sin, law, and faith are all personified in a grand cosmic drama. This personification, however, does not change the basic identity of the characters. Faith personified is still faith.