No faith, or little faith
But how can unbelief be in a believer? That word has two meanings. It means either no faith, or little faith. Either the absence of faith, or the weakness of it. In the first sense, unbelief is not in a believer. In the second sense, it is in all babes. Their faith is commonly mixed with doubt or fear, that is, in this second sense, with unbelief. Why are you fearful, says our Lord, O you of little faith? Again, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? You see that there was unbelief in believers. Little faith, and much unbelief.
1771 text
“But how can unbelief be in a believer?” That word has two meanings. It means either no faith, or little faith; either the absence of faith, or the weakness of it. In the former sense, unbelief is not in a believer: in the latter, it is in all babes. Their faith is commonly mixt with doubt or fear, that is (in the latter sense) with unbelief. Why are ye fearful, says our Lord, O ye of little faith. Again, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? You see here was unbelief in believers: little faith and much unbelief.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.