Is there any reason to change John 3:16 from "whoever believes in him" to "whoever exercises faith in him"?

Question

The New World Translation of the Bible renders John 3:16 as "whoever exercises faith in him" (Jesus). Anyone know what the original Greek says? And what's the difference between believing in Jesus and exercising faith in Jesus?

Answer 1

The NWT in John 3 is based on the Greek scholarship of Roman Catholics Westcott and Hort, whose Greek text is copied verbatim in the JW Kingdom Interlinear of the Greek Scriptures. The latter half of their verse translates literally as:



"...in order that everyone the believing into him not might be destroyed but may have life everlasting."

The KIT renders that as, "...in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." Clearly, the KIT has taken liberties with the actual Greek words used! There is a Greek word for 'faith'. It does not occur in that verse.



The matter is clinched by checking the JW way of dealing with the preceeding verse (15) which has the same Greek word as in vs 16, rendered by Westcott and Hort as "believing in" both times. You would think the JWs would be consistent, would you not? Exactly the same Greek word occurring in two concurrent verses, having the same context, referring to the same person in order to have life everlasting... well, it ought to read "exercising faith in..." both times, surely.



Ah, but no! Verse 15 is rendered by the JWs as "everyone believing in him may have everlasting life." Verse 16, as we know, says "everyone exercising faith in..." The reason is clear to those who understand JW theology. The JWs cannot seem to see the living, vibrant aspect of belief in Christ as faith. They try to make faith one thing (an intellectual assent based on knowledge) and belief as another thing involving action. The Bible is clear that nobody can have genuine, saving faith without that faith affecting their beliefs and thus, their actions! Further, John is so clear that it has to be belief in one person that saves, the JWs seem to feel threatened, because they also say that one has to believe in their organisation for salvation.



The Apostle John does not use the noun 'faith' that appears frequently elsewhere in the NT. He prefers the verb 'believe' to underscore that faith is not static like a doctrine or a dogma, but dynamic, requiring action. In John's Gospel, believing in Jesus is the trait of all true disciples. The verb translated 'believe' is often followed in John's Gospel by the Greek preposition 'eis' (= into). No parallel exists for this in ancient Greek usage. For John, faith is not a status, but an investment in the person of Jesus. Faith means accepting who Jesus is and what he claims to be. Faith constitutes a commitment to let his call change the way we live. Faith is the work God wants from us (6:29) as we abide in Jesus' word, as we love him, and as we obey his commands (8:31; 15:1-17 & 1 Jn 5:10).



It is a dangerous thing to tamper with the word of God, for every single word is divinely inspired and in the text for a reason. To be inconsistent in translating Greek words usually betrays an underlying motive. If the JWs who used Westcott and Hort's Greek text had appreciated the nuances of John's gospel, they would have realised there was no need for them to be inconsistent here.

Answer 2

There is a difference and a reason to change from:

whosoever believes

to

whoever exercises faith



Belief - believes - is pisteuō (πιστεύω) in Greek this is belief or conviction. Pisteuō is to be convicted.



"Faith" is not the direct translation of "pisteuō" as is defined in English of the late 20th and early 21st century but is not totally in error.



The direct translation is "all (that are) convicted" . The understanding of the word "convicted" today is also different in common usage.



"pisteuō" is from "pistis" of the verb "peitho".

to convince, to conciliate or assure, to assent, to rely, to believe - persuade - or trust. James 2:19 show in conjugation of peitho that the meaning is close to "to know".



In no way can

To be convicted of Jesus Christ being Immanuel and Savior as author and finisher of our faith have any thing to do with

the mental process of an ongoing acceptance or used to predicate a works based theology as the wording "exercises faith" implies.



The wording is a direct attack and either shows a) a knowledgeable apostate or b) is poor scholarship.

Answer 3

You need to check out the King James Bible. This is the closest version to the original text that the Catholics refused to translate into any other language than Latin. This version says "whosoever believeth in him shall not perish"

This also ties in with Romans 9 v 9-12, especially verse 11. This means that if we believe that Jesus is the son of God and was raised from the dead, and accept this in our heart by speaking it out loud then we shall be saved and ill go to heaven when we die.

Notice the absence of the mention of sin, which we are continually moaned at about by the established churches? No, we are to belive On HIM, not IN HIM because He took the sin for us.



Romans 10 is the most revolutionary text you may ever read, because of this....



Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Big difference, in belief there must be a solid foundation and not exercising, that could go on for a life time and never come to full belief, seems exercising faith is a watered down version of believe, thus never coming to the point of believing, faith covers much but I think there must be belief in God Jesus first that they are, otherwise how can you have faith in someone that is not or maybe they exists?







Hebrews 11:5-7 (King James Version)



5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Answer 5

This is the original Greek; which means to one-believing. It gets it's roots from the word "pistis" which means Assurance, Assure, Assuredly: and comes from the root of "peithō"which means to persuade. They very closest meaning would to be "Whomever Believes"

pisteuwn

pisteuOn

G4100

vp Pres Act Nom Sg m

one-BELIEVING

one-believing



If you read John 3:16 by rending it as Whomever Believes is assured by the mere belief and thus the secondary meaning "faith," has the secondary meaning of "an assurance or guarantee," e.g., Act 17:31; by raising Christ from the dead, God has given "assurance" that the world will be judged by Him (the AV margin, "offered faith" does not express the meaning). Cp. 1Ti 5:12, where "faith" means "pledge."



John, in this verse was trying to convey the message of assurance not just a pledge. He wanted us to know, be assured that by believing one can be saved. It's a stronger message. I think the message here is to believe and later, and through out the rest of the Bible the message is clear that we must believe and have faith in that belief. So in turn, one can not have faith without one believing.

Answer 6

I see the NWT/KIT added the word "exercise" at John 3:16 .. Knowing they are keen on obedience as a part of their being accepted at the resurrection. It quickly shows what they will do to bolster their doctrines

It is little more than a cloaked way to continue a belief in salvation by works, whether they see it or not .(I pray they consider these contradictions that keep popping up)



Johns Gospel is often referred to as the Gospel of Belief. John's use of believe in the Greek presents a different use of the word than "exercise"

It means to trust, rely upon, fully accept, etc. which has nothing to do with the Watchtower committee's concept of "exercise" to hopefully be counted worthy at their resurrection. (see Sasi's paragraph 5) John also reminded us at I Jn 5:13 that we can know now that we are saved and have Eternal Life



The JehovahWitness or anyone who adds to the work of Christ Jesus on the cross and the efficacious power of the blood over sin, is a scary thought to me.



EDIT: Mack H makes my point by not understanding the word believe as John uses it. Satan believes in that he acquiesces who God is but not to put complete trust in or reliance in God as his source, else he would not have thought to usurp Gods throne.

Answer 7

I'm not overjoyed at that translation. The greek word is pisteuō and it has various shades of meaning but in this case it means to place one's trust. It's a conscious act based upon an inner and higher conviction.



To me, faith is the set of actions that flow naturally from a belief.

Answer 8

Words are for us to use, to describe meaning and communication. That which is immortal does not need spoken word to exercise intent or conveyance.

However one chooses to alter the words of another, as long as we "get it", this is all that really matters.

One can believe in something all their life. But until we put into action that which we truly believe, they will remain just words without real value.

Answer 9

This is a good question! Too many people think that head knowledge is enough. To exercise faith is to put our trust in the object of faith. The devil believes in God; but does not trust in Him. Many people believe in God but do not trust in Him to save them or to guide their lives.



As long as God is a passenger in the metaphoric cars of our lives, and not the driver, we are not exercising faith in Him to control our destinies. Head knowledge does it my way. Heart knowledge asks God what we should be doing, how we should be doing it and asks for His strength to do it. Works; puts God in the back seat and does all the driving; believing that it is possible to do it ourselves. Faith, sits in the front passenger seat and lets God drive; knowing that He can get us there.

Answer 10

No reason whatsoever.



Believe (believeth in the KJV) is the Greek work pisteuō and means:



1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in



a) of the thing believed



1) to credit, have confidence



b) in a moral or religious reference



1) used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul



2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith



3) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith



2) to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity



a) to be intrusted with a thing





it is also from the root word pistis which means:



1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it



a) relating to God



1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ



b) relating to Christ



1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God



c) the religious beliefs of Christians



d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same



2) fidelity, faithfulness



a) the character of one who can be relied on







So no, there is no reason to add/change any words here to promote a false works based salvation.

Answer 11

Nice queswtion there is a difference. Please read James 2:19.. That verse shows that even the demons BELIeve in God that he exists let me ask u if you were to excercise would you be still or in motion.. The latter so to excercise oit means to take actions. Simplyu believeing in God is not gonna get people through armaggeddon, butr Excercising faith meaning motion or action is required please read james 2; 26 that scripture will confirm that.

Answer 12

I don't have health insurance, I'm gonna get fined out the *** for it too. Health insurance doesn't heal anyhow, not a good comparison.

Answer 13

The main difference is the correctness of the verse.