# faithful, faithfulness #

## Definition: ##

To be "faithful" to God means to consistently live according to God's teachings. It means to be loyal to him by obeying him.The state or condition of being faithful is "faithfulness."

* A person who is faithful can be trusted to always keep his promises and to always fulfill his responsibilities to other people.
* A faithful person perseveres in doing a task, even when it is long and difficult.
* Faithfulness to God is the consistent practice of doing what God wants us to do.

## Translation Suggestions: ##

* In many contexts, "faithful" can be translated as "loyal" or "dedicated" or "dependable."
* In other contexts, "faithful" can be translated by a word or phrase that means, "continuing to believe" or "persevering in believing and obeying God."
* Ways that "faithfulness" could be translated could include, "persevering in believing" or "loyalty" or "trustworthiness" or "believing and obeying God."

(See also: [faith](../kt/faith.md) **·** [believe, believe in, belief](../kt/believe.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [1 Samuel 02:9](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/1sa/02/09)
* [1 Thessalonians 05:23-24](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/1th/05/23)
* [3 John 01:5-8](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/3jn/01/05)
* [Colossians 01:7-8](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/col/01/07)
* [Genesis 24:49](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/gen/24/49)
* [Isaiah 01:26](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/isa/01/26)
* [Joshua 02:14](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/jos/02/14)
* [Luke 16:10-12](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/luk/16/10)
* [Numbers 12:6-8](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/num/12/06)
* [Proverbs 11:12-13](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/pro/11/12)
* [Psalm 012:1](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/psa/012/001)

## Examples from the Bible stories: ##

* __[08-05](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/08-05)__ Even in prison, Joseph remained __faithful__  to God, and God blessed him.
* __[14-12](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/14-12)__ Even so, God was still __faithful__  to His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
* __[15-13](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/15-13)__ The people promised to remain __faithful__  to God and follow his laws.
* __[17-09](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/17-09)__ David ruled with justice and __faithfulness__  for many years, and God blessed him. However, toward the end of his life he sinned terribly against God.
* __[18-04](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/18-04)__ God was angry with Solomon and, as a punishment for Solomon's __unfaithfulness__, he promised to divide the nation of Israel into two kingdoms after Solomon's death.
* __[35-12](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/35-12)__"The older son said to his father, 'All these years I have worked __faithfully__  for you!"
* __[49-17](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/49-17)__ But God is __faithful__  and says that if you confess your sins, he will forgive you.
* __[50-04](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/50-04)__ If you remain __faithful__  to me to the end, then God will save you."