You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?
Peter had just witnessed Jesus miraculously feeding the 5000. He is now on a boat on the Sea of Galilee – A geographical area frequented by sudden squalls that developed when the dry air from the surroundings mountains met the moist air from the lake. Peter was a fisherman and would have been aware of these furious weather patterns that can easily stir up a shallow lake bringing boats on it to immediate danger. Yet, when Jesus called, Peter confidently stepped out of the boat.
Peter must have had more than a little faith to step into a lake being stirred up by strong winds. If is be case, what did Jesus mean when he said “You of little faith”?
To better understand we must go back to the Greek word oligopistos (ὀλιγόπιστος) which is translated as “little faith”. This word is derived from two other words i.e. Oligos (ὀλίγος) and Pistis (πίστις). Pistis means faith. Oligos is used to describe size, such as in James 3:5, however when used in Revelation 12:12and Acts 26:28, it describes a small amount of time. If we apply the second possible meaning of Oligos to Matthew 14:31, Jesus could have well been saying – “You of short time faith”
Belief and Confidence
We must also understand the relation between the words belief, confidence and faith. Belief and confidence is not the same as faith. When we BELIEVE something with enough CONFIDENCE to act, we exercise FAITH. However, our reasoning mind is constantly questioning our beliefs and affecting our confidence which impacts our faith.
‘Short time’ faith
Peter’s faith often failed him (Luke 22:32). In this instance, he had believed (just witnessed the miraculous feeding of the five thousand), he had confidence (stepped into the Sea of Galilee knowing well its perils). This enabled him to exercise faith, and he stepped into the water with a bout of faith. However, his reasoning mind caught up quickly. When he saw the winds, he reasoned and the resulting doubt (which is why Jesus asked him – “why did you doubt?”) introduced fear, putting an end to his faith.
Peter had faith, but it was a ‘short time’ faith. It did not last long!
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Many of us also start off with a blast of faith, but when the going gets a little tough, we waver and wobble following our reasoning minds. Faith built on confidence from a reasoning ‘worldly’ mind is a ‘short time’ faith, and it usually fails. Perhaps that is why 3000 years ago wise Solomon said: “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26) and “lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5–7).
Christian faith is spiritual (1 Corinthians 12:7-9). It comes through spiritual learning and by the enabling power of God’s words (Romans 10:17) not human intellect (Proverbs 3:5-6). This kind of faith does not fail neither is it short time faith. It enables a believer to stand his ground steadfast (Psalm 112:7) no matter what comes by and for however long it takes (Psalm 27:14). It is this kind of faith that pleases God.
