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The Definite Article τῆς, Baptism, Faith, and Ephesians 2:8
Bro. Peter Dimond
Hello, Justin. The reason we use “through the faith”, instead of just “through faith” when quoting those verses in English, is that the verses contain the word 'the' in the original language (i.e. Greek). The Greek contains the definite article τῆς for those verses. A ‘definite article’ is a word in a language that means ‘the’. In Greek τῆς is the genitive feminine singular form of the word ‘the’.
The definite article τῆς is present in the Greek of Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 3:26, and the related verse of Colossians 2:12. The Greek of those verses says: διὰ τῆς πίστεως (through the faith). There is a textual variant in Ephesians 2:8 that’s discussed in this article: Does Ephesians 2:8 say “saved through faith” or “saved through the faith“? However, even in Ephesians 2:8 the majority of manuscripts contain τῆς.
The presence of διὰ τῆς πίστεως (through the faith) in all of these verses further establishes the connection between them. Recognizing that connection is important in properly understanding what Ephesians 2:8 means. As our material explains, those verses all refer to the reception of first justification/regeneration/first salvation in water baptism. That’s how one is saved ‘through the faith’. Failing to recognize that Ephesians 2:8 refers to the regeneration that comes in water baptism (which is God’s gift) is why Protestants and non-Catholics frequently abuse and misunderstand verses such as Ephesians 2:8.
Baptism is the instrument through which a person receives regeneration and first justification. Ephesians 2:8 uses the exact same phrase in the Greek as Galatians 3:26-27 and Colossians 2:12 (διὰ τῆς πίστεως), to express the means through which initial salvation is received, precisely because it's also referring to the reception of first justification in Baptism. Preserving the original wording of ‘through the faith’ further demonstrates that being saved through the faith describes entrance into the Church/faith in water baptism, and not just a personal faith.
There are some translations that render Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 3:26, and Colossians 2:12 as ‘through the faith’, but the vast majority do not, even though the definite article is present in the Greek. The reason for this widespread omission, I believe, is twofold: 1) Many translations of the New Testament from the Greek are done by Protestants. Their false theology and incorrect understanding of those verses make them more inclined to omit ‘the’; and 2) in Latin there is no definite article – i.e. there is no word for ‘the’. That could be why numerous Catholic versions and commentaries render Ephesians 2:8 simply as ‘through faith’, from the Latin per fidem. However, Greek is the original language of the New Testament and it contains the definite article (the). It’s true that the definite article in Greek is not translated in many passages; however, it is important (or at least illuminating) to preserve it in the translation here for the reasons explained.
Further, many translators and commentators simply did not understand or recognize the direct connection between Eph. 2:8 and the verses that refer explicitly to water baptism (Col. 2:12 and Gal. 3:26). This is a connection our material brings out and explains. The connection between Ephesians 2:8 and the verses on water baptism - which reveal how one is initially saved in Christ - is the interpretive key to Ephesians 2:8. Hence, it is preferable and useful to maintain the original wording of ‘through the faith’. As the early Church taught and understood, Baptism is how one enters the faith, and the baptized are called the faithful.
This teaching of Scripture and Tradition is why in the traditional rite of Baptism, the unbaptized catechumen is asked what he desires from holy Church, and he answers “faith.” The unbaptized catechumen does not have “the faith,” so he begs the Church for it in the “sacrament of faith” (Baptism), which alone makes him one of “the faithful.” This is why the Sacrament of Baptism has been known since apostolic times as “the sacrament of faith.”
However, even if all three verses are translated simply as ‘through faith’ (διὰ πίστεως), instead of ‘through the faith’ (διὰ τῆς πίστεως), the connection between them and water baptism remains demonstrable; for the language and subject matter of Eph. 2:8 corresponds to Gal. 3:26 and Col. 2:12, and Gal. 3 and Col. 2 deal explicitly with entrance into Christ through water baptism. Maintaining the original wording of ‘through the faith’ simply assists in explaining the point and establishing the connection. One can read more about this matter here: Does Ephesians 2:8 say “saved through faith” or “saved through the faith“? (article). These videos also cover the New Testament's teaching on faith, baptism, justification, etc.
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