Important Salvation Words in Romans

In order to properly understand the concept of salvation by grace, it is important to understand some of the vocabulary used in Paul's writings to explain the process. Following are these important words along with their precise definitions:

Grace
The Greek noun for "grace" is "χάρις" (charis). It is used 130 times in the New Testament and literally means "extended kindness." In other words, salvation is possible because of the "extended kindness" of God towards man. This kindness is undeserved and thus constitutes a "free gift" from God. Therefore, "grace" is often defined as "free gift." In Romans and Galatians Paul devotes a significant portion of his writing to contrasting grace with works. The Greek word for "work" is "ἔργον" (erga) and reflects one's deeds. Therefore with regard to one's salvation, "grace" and "works" are complete opposites.

Faith
The Greek noun for "faith" is "πίστις" (pistis). It is used 244 times in the New Testament and literally describes "complete trust and reliance." Hebrews 11:1 defines it as follows, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Therefore, since faith has "substance" and serves as "evidence," it reflects a reality that simply has not been consummated yet - a reality nonetheless.

Believe
In the New Testament, "πιστεύω" (believe) is the verb form that constitutes "πίστις" (faith). Both use the same Greek root, "πίστ" (pist). The Greek word for "believe" is "πιστεύω" and literally means "to exercise faith in." The Greek word does not reflect the degree of uncertainty that our English word does. To believe (πιστεύω) in Greek means to exercise complete confidence in something or someone. This Greek verb is used 124 times in the New Testament.

Sin
The noun form of "sin" is "ἁμαρτία" (hamartia) and is found 174 times in the New Testament. The verb form, "ἁμαρτάνω" (hamartano) is found another 43 times. The Greek word means "to act contrary to the will and law of God." In the New Testament it is used to describe not only one's particular actions, but also in the context of the state in which we were born into this world as a result of the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden. In that context, it is often referred to as one's "sin nature" i.e. born with the propensity to sin by our actions. It is this "sin nature" that makes everyone unworthy to go to Heaven on one's own merit.

Righteous, righteousness
The epitome of righteousness is God. The adjective "righteous" is translated from the Greek word "δίκαιος" (dikaios). It is used 43 times in the New Testament and reflects the state of being in a perfect relationship with God. The noun "δικαιοσύνη" (dikaiosune) speaks of that state and is used another 92 times.

Justify
This is the verb form that results in righteousness. The Greek word is "δικαιόω" (dikaio) with the same root as the adjective "righteous" and the noun "righteousness." Therefore, "justify" literally means "to make righteous."