“For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.”
(2 Corinthians 13:4)
The greatest biblical definition of faith stands over the entrance to Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). These God-breathed words affirm that faith is the foundation of a life grounded in the unseen realities of God’s promises. The Christian that lives by faith believes what he cannot see, trusts what God has said, and lives in accordance with it.
Biblical faith does not depend on what is visible in the material world, but at the same time it is neither foolish nor blind. Rather, true faith is characterized by substance and evidence, because it is rooted in the unwavering certainty that God is faithful to fulfill all that He has spoken. This assurance is fueled by a Spirit-supported confidence—a steadfast trust anchored in the unchanging nature of God.
Paul expresses this in 2 Corinthians 13:4: “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.” Christ’s crucifixion displayed human weakness. Yet, that very moment of weakness became the stage for the manifestation of God’s power in His resurrection. The believer that is united with Christ experiences the same paradox. We are weak, but in Him we live by the divine power of faith.
This level of faith requires a deep-seated, full-hearted trust and dependence on the promises of God. The devil acknowledges that God’s Word is true… but saving faith rests in it, leans upon it, and builds its life around it. “This fiducial trust runs throughout the whole of Scripture—from the patriarchs in Genesis, to the psalmists in worship, to Christ’s disciples and the apostles who followed Him.”[1]
Finally, true faith shields the believer from fear and doubt because it rests in the sure promises of God. This is the full assurance of faith that grants us power to endure.
Contemplation:
- Deep-Seated Trust. Every time I reflect on the kind of faith demonstrated in Hebrews 11 I am drawn to the level of trust it requires. This faith not only believes God exists, it relies on Him as the source to meet every challenge of life.
- Strength in Weakness. The message in 2 Corinthians 13:4 is that Christ, in His moment of physical weakness, showcased the unparalleled power of God. His example is a testament to the strength we can find in our own vulnerabilities so that in our moments of doubt and weakness, our faith can also be our most significant strength.
- More Than Mere Assent. Biblical faith not only believes in, but also wholeheartedly trusts the promises of God. And it is this deep-rooted trust that helps me navigate life’s challenges, knowing that God’s promises will never fail.
- The Shield of Faith. Faith in God acts as a protective barrier against worldly fears and challenges. Whenever I find myself overcome by worry, I remind myself of the countless scriptures that emphasize the power of trusting in God. Faith in these promises provide solace, strength, and the assurance that I am not alone.
Prayer (Confession):
O Lord, my God, I come before You confessing my weakness—my frailty in faith, my forgetfulness of Your promises, and my constant tendency to lean on what is seen rather than what You have spoken. You have said that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, yet how often I live by sight. How often I doubt Your goodness when I cannot see Your hand. Forgive me.
I confess that I don’t always trust You as I should. I often give more weight to my fears than to Your Word. I question Your timing. I seek assurance in feelings and outcomes rather than in the finished work of Christ. When trials come, I panic. When You are silent, I despair. Lord, I believe—help mine unbelief.
I see in Christ my perfect example. He was crucified through weakness, but He lives by Your power. And I, being united to Him, am called to walk the same path—weak in myself, yet strong in You. But how often do I resist that weakness? I want strength without surrender. I want control when You call me to trust. Have mercy on me, Lord.
I’ve treated faith as theory instead of reality. I’ve been content with acknowledgment rather than full reliance. I’ve wavered when You’ve called me to stand firm. I have not prized Your promises as I ought, nor treasured Your Word as the anchor of my soul.
Forgive me, Lord, for every time I’ve doubted what You’ve declared to be true. Cleanse me from the sin of unbelief. Root out the pride that keeps me from depending wholly on You. Teach me again what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. Let me find joy not in self-assurance, but in the rock-solid assurance of Your truth.
Renew in me, by Your Spirit, a faith that is living, substantial, enduring. Let me trust in the One who lives by the power of God. Let me rest in the gospel of grace, and live each day not by my own strength, but by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
I don’t ask for signs, but for the capacity to trust You more. I don’t ask for ease, but for the strength to endure. I don’t ask for answers, but for the faith to believe what You have said.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for 2 Corinthians 13:4:
Rom. 6:4; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Cor. 6:14; 1 Cor. 2:3.
[1] Thomas Manton, A Second Volume of Sermons Preached by the Late Reverend and Learned Thomas Manton, Early English Books Online (London: J. Astwood for Jonathan Robinson, 1684), 45.
