Faith Is Necessary

by Gregg Allen Trickett, written 11/13/15 updated 09/29/2025

but apart from faith [it is] an impossible [thing] to well please [Him]. For the one approaching to God needs to believe that He is, and He becomes a rewarder to those diligently seeking Him.

but - δε conjunction: but, on the contrary, and, also; adversative particle transitioning from "by faith [dative singular/feminine]" Heb 11:5 to this "apart from faith [genitive singular/feminine]".

apart - χωρις: is this an adverb or preposition? as an adverb meaning apart, separately, by itself, at a space, adverb to ευαρεστησαι; or else, a preposition without, besides, exclusive of, governing the genitive case of "faith".

from faith - πιστεως genitive singular/feminine: firm persuasion, conviction, belief in truth, a whole-hearted trust; without faith whatever else accompanies one appearing before God can not please Him: not sacrifices, gifts, offerings, or prayers.

it is an impossible thing - αδυνατον adjective nominative singular/neuter: impossible, not possible or able, not to be done [passive], as a neuter meaning impossible.

to well-please Him. - ευαρεστησαι aorist/active/infinitive: to gratify entirely, to please; the aorist is punctiliar without reference the time meaning it is impossible to please God at all when faith is absent; compare "to have pleased [perfect/active/infinitive]" God (Heb 11:5).

The Greek text of the phrase above is without a noun subject or predicate nominative; however the adjective "impossible" implies the nominative 'one is', and the verb "to please" implies the nominative 'God.' There is no relationship between God and man but through faith in God, in His work accomplished in and through Christ crucified and resurrected. In the remainder of the verse, "God" is the indirect object and "Him" is the direct object.

For - γαρ conjunction: the reason follows.

the one approaching - τον προσερχομενον present/middle deponent/participle accusative singular/masculine: to approach or come near [figuratively in prayer or to worship]; here the accusative case that is itself [middle voice] in motion towards the dative case. All men are approaching the throne of God; some to eternal life through the narrow gate, as no one comes to Him but through Jesus Christ (Jn 14:6). Others approach the throne as a place of judgment, by the broad way leading to eternal separation. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" Jn 3:18.

to God - τω θεω dative singular/masculine.

needs - δει present/impersonal-active indicative 3rd-person/singular: needs or has need, [it] is necessary, is inevitable, [one] must, ought, or should; an expectation and as an essential obligation.

to believe - πιστευσαι aorist/active/infinitive: to have faith in, to believe, to trust, from n. πίστις [faith] in the phrase above.

that - οτι conjunction:

He is - εστιν present/active/indicative 3rd-person/singular: to be, to exist. "for unless you believe that I am [εἰμι pres/act/ind 1s] He, you will die in your sins" John 8:24b. God has made Himself known to man through His Son Jesus has explained God, and the Spirit

and - και conjunction: and, even, also; connecting God's action in this phrase to His action of being pleased in the former phrase. A three-fold interaction between God and man: God is pleased with faith, God who exists and has made Himself known in order that men may believe in Him, and God rewards those who seek Him.

He becomes - γίνεται present/middle/indicative 3rd-person/singular: to cause to be, to become, to come into existence; middle voice indicates that the action is performed by Jesus Himself.

a rewarder - μισθαποδοτης nominative singular/masculine: a recompersor, a renumerator; from two words, n. μισθός pay or wages, and v. ἀποδίδωμι to render or to give away. Men gain aproval by exercising faith in God (Heb 11:2).

to those diligently seeking - τοις εκζητουσιν present/active/participle dative plural/masculine: to search out, to seek out diligently, to investigate earnestly, by Hebraism to worship.

Him. - αυτον accusative singular/masculine: the One sought after or searched for; the One who recompenses becomes the Recompense to those believing in Him, who gives to believers: to know Him, eternal life, His righteousness, forgiveness and cleansing of sin, atonement to Him, salvation from death and sin, residence and livelihood in His kingdom, the promises, and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. The Lord is our portion.

The Father points all men to Christ for righteousness and salvation; that he believe the testimony of His Son - that He Is Yahweh Jesus Christ, the Son of God existing beyond eternity who descended from heaven to explain the Father to us, and who now sits at His right hand in heaven, because He was raised from the dead after His Crucifixion. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me' " John 14:6. "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" John 17:3. "And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life" 1John 5:20.