πίστις (pistis). n. fem. faithfulness, assurance; faith, confidence; what is believed, teaching. May refer to the basis for belief, the act of believing, or the content of what is believed.

The noun πίστις (pistis) occurs 243 times in the NT. In non-biblical Greek, the term is often used in a concrete sense to indicate a proof, guarantee, or pledge. The NT uses the word in this sense in Acts 17:31 where the resurrection of Christ is said to be the pistis or proof of Christ’s future judgment. Similarly, the word is likely used with the sense of pledge or oath several times in the two letters to Timothy (e.g., 1 Tim 5:12; 2 Tim 4:7). In a more general sense, pistis refers to that which gives rise to belief, such as the faithfulness and reliability of a person (Matt 23:23; Rom 3:3; Gal 5:22). The term may also refer to the content of belief (Gal 1:23; Titus 3:15; James 2:1; Jude 3). The most frequent use of pistis in the NT refers to the state of believing and is usually directed toward God (1 Thess 1:8; 1 Pet 1:21) or Christ (Rom 3:22; Eph 1:15). Pistis is often used to indicate the appropriate response to God’s promise (Rom 4:13–16; Gal 3:14, 22; Heb 6:12; 11:13). With this relationship between promise and faith in mind, Paul defines pistis as a full conviction of God’s ability to do what he has promised (Rom 4:21).

Heresies (such as the one at Colosse) are local and harmful; but truth is universal and helpful.

Agapē

The Greek word agapē, often translated “love,” is a general word for affection and warm regard. The NT uses the word to describe compassion for other people, love for God or Christ, and the love God and Christ have for humanity and for each other. The gospel message makes the love denoted by agapē more of a mindset than a feeling. It involves putting the needs and interests of others before your own—even enduring suffering and hardship for the sake of others.

ἔλπις (elpis). n. fem. hope, expectation; that which is hoped for; the basis of hope. Indicates the expectation which one exercises, the outcome or object expected, or the basis of one’s expectations.

1:5 hope reserved for you The Greek word used in this phrase, elpis, often rendered as “hope,” refers to confident expectation, not wishful thinking. The Colossians have hope because of their union with Christ (Col 1:27). This means they are free from corruption and death and are qualified to participate in Christ’s life, resurrection and glory. Paul reminds them that their hope of a glorious future does not come from a religious philosophy (2:8), but from God. Therefore, they do not need to accept the demands of false teachers.

While faith takes God at his word, believing that he will do as he has promised, hope is the anticipation of the fulfillment of God’s promises

1:5 The third element of the triad is hope. Hope is not to be understood here as a subjective experience on the part of the Colossian Christians. Rather, it is an objective reality “laid up for you in heaven.” This hope, says Paul, is the reason for the faith and love shown by the Colossians. It is “because of” (dia + accusative case) this hope that they demonstrate the other virtues.

Faith is the soul looking upward to God; love looks outward to others; hope looks forward to the future. Faith rests on the past work of Christ; love works in the present; and hope anticipates the future.

Believers are in the Spirit and the Spirit is in them (Rom. 8:9). Thus their “love … for all the saints” (Col. 1:4; cf. v. 5) stemmed from the indwelling Holy Spirit.