What Did Paul Mean By “Having the Same SPIRIT OF FAITH”?

Here’s the verse in question:

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,

2 Corinthians 4:13

Paul was partially quoting Psalm 116:10 wherein the unnamed writer knew from a recent life-or-death situation that the LORD answers when believers call in faith (and no doubt other situations as well). He was thanking and praising the Creator accordingly. Since this psalmist from a thousand years earlier had a spirit of faith, Paul linked it to the persecutions he and other faithful believers were experiencing in the 1st century (2 Corinthians 4:8-11) and their belief (faith) in the resurrection unto eternal life (2 Corinthians 4:14).

The apostle was using ‘spirit’ in the sense of the attitude or character of a person, which is one of several definitions of the Greek pneúma and the corresponding Hebrew rûach. A good example from the Bible is Joshua and Caleb, who had “a different spirit” — a spirit of faith — as opposed to all the unbelieving Hebrews (Numbers 14:24 & 14:30). Thus they were the only two above the age of 20 to enter their earthly “promised land,” aka the land of Israel.

Likewise, any believer today who wants to enter his/her “promised land” must have a spirit of faith. See this article for details.

When You Should ASK and When You Should SPEAK IN FAITH, aka DEMAND

Are Gentile Believers SPIRITUAL JEWS?

SPIRITUAL WARFARE — Do You Know What You’re Fighting For?

How to Discern OPINION and FACT in Theology

The Seven Keys to SPIRITUAL GROWTH

The Basics of Christianity