Believing as Verbal in John’s Gospel

Abstract

In John’s Gospel the verb ‘to believe (pisteuein)’ occurs nearly one hundred times, whereas the noun ‘faith (pistis)’ never occurs. Some scholars attempt to explain this, others have not done so. Those who comment on this feature of John are often content to contrast briefly the action-oriented nature of the verb pisteuein with the disposition or even possession suggested by the noun pistis. More remains to be said. What do experts in syntax observe about the different force of nouns and verbs? Why does John employ such nouns as ‘life’, ‘glory’, ‘light’ and ‘love (agape-)’ along with the corresponding verbs? These nouns point to the unconditional, absolute Life, Glory, Light, and Love which the incarnate Son of God possesses and in which believers can participate. For John, Christ should be called abounding Life but not abounding Faith. Believing is rather the appropriate, ongoing relationship of disciples to Christ himself, not a divine attribute of his in which they can share.