I read something in my Greek textbook today about how Jesus is the “αρχηγός” and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). This word αρχηγός/archegos can be translated: path-breaker, pioneer, author, guide, hero, captain etc.

And I had this realisation that faith begins and ends with Jesus.

Faith is a gift: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast!” Ephesians 2:8-9.

God promises to perfect our faith:

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion, until the day of Christ Jesus,” Philippians 1:6.

As Christians we tend to put so much emphasis on our need for faith to be saved. I agree that the Bible is clear that faith is a necessity: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to all who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile,” Romans 1:18.

So faith is necessary but it’s also a gift given and pioneered by Jesus in our lives. If we don’t yet believe in God and his salvation, it would seem that God has not yet opened our eyes to the gift of faith.

But this verse in Romans which mentions Jews and Gentiles is part of a letter in which Jews and Gentiles are mentioned repeatedly and the author illustrates that they all come to faith:

“Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the FULL NUMBER of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way ALL Israel will be SAVED … For God has bound everyone over to disobedience that he may have mercy on them all!” Romans 11:25-26 & 32.

God gives us all a portion of faith and he can be trusted to activate that faith within us. What he begins in us he will not faith to bring to completion. Everyone will come to faith, because it is his responsibility and promise. He is the αρχηγός/archegos of our faith! The Captain, Hero, Alpha and Omega of our belief in Him and His saving acts!

Thank you Jesus, Amen

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