Pistis
/ˈpɪstɪs/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
πείθειν (peíthein) — to persuade, to trust
Overview
Meaning Now
- Trust, faith, or belief; confidence or reliance on another.
- In a legal or rhetorical context, a means of persuasion or proof.
- In Christian theology, the divine gift of faith or religious belief.
Literal older meaning
that which is believed or trusted
Language path
Ancient Greek → Koine Greek → English
Earliest form
πίστις
Earliest period
8th century BC
Journey
In Greek rhetoric, Aristotle classified 'pistis' into technical (artistic) proofs like logos, ethos, and pathos, and non-technical (inartistic) proofs such as witnesses or contracts. Later, in New Testament theology, it shifted to describe an active, transformative trust in God.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
πίστις
“trust, confidence, pledge”
- Koine Greek
πίστις
“religious faith, belief in the Gospel”
Transition from interpersonal trust to spiritual commitment.
- Late Latin
fides
“faith, loyalty”
Direct loan translation.
- English
Pistis
“theological concept of faith”
Loanword from Greek used primarily in theological and philosophical discourse.
Connections
Word parts
πείθ-
root
persuade
-τις
suffix
abstract noun-forming suffix
Related across languages
Latin
fides
faith, trust
Sanskrit
bodhati
he is awake/aware
Related words
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Related to Pistis
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.