Luke 17:5 – “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!'”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, the apostles respond to Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness by asking Him to increase their faith. Jesus had just given them a difficult command: to forgive someone repeatedly, even if they sin against them multiple times in one day. The apostles’ reaction is understandable—they realize that such forgiveness requires a faith that they feel they don’t have yet. Their request shows humility, acknowledging their dependence on Jesus to help them grow spiritually.
The apostles didn’t ask for more instructions or guidelines; they asked for more faith. This suggests that they understood the heart of what Jesus was teaching: living as His followers requires trusting God deeply, especially when it comes to extending grace and forgiveness. Their plea reflects the truth that faith isn’t just about belief—it’s about relying on God to do what seems impossible.
Historical Context
During Jesus’ time, faith was not just intellectual agreement but a deep, active trust in God. The apostles would have been familiar with the concept of faith through the Hebrew Scriptures, where faith in God was often tied to obedience and loyalty, especially during times of trial. However, the kind of faith Jesus was calling for went beyond what they were used to. Forgiving someone repeatedly, without holding onto resentment, was a radical idea. It required a kind of faith that could trust God to heal wounds and bring justice, rather than seeking revenge or harboring bitterness.
The apostles’ request to “increase our faith” also reflects their understanding that spiritual growth is a process. They had been walking with Jesus, witnessing His miracles and teachings, yet they recognized that they still had room to grow in their trust and dependence on Him.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the importance of faith in the Christian life. Faith is not something believers can muster up on their own—it is a gift from God that grows as we rely on Him. The apostles’ request demonstrates that it’s okay to admit when we feel inadequate. In fact, asking God for more faith is a sign of humility and spiritual maturity.
Theologically, this verse reminds us that faith is central to obedience. When Jesus calls His followers to forgive, love, or take risks for the sake of the gospel, it’s not because they’re capable on their own. Instead, their ability to obey comes from their trust in God’s power working through them.
Faith also involves recognizing that God is the source of spiritual growth. The apostles didn’t try to rely on their own strength to follow Jesus’ command. Instead, they turned to Him, knowing that He could provide what they needed.
Literary Analysis
The structure of this verse is simple but significant. It’s a short, direct request from the apostles, showing their sincerity and urgency. The fact that they address Jesus as “Lord” highlights their recognition of His authority and ability to provide what they lack. The word “increase” implies growth—it acknowledges that faith can develop and expand as believers walk with God.
This verse also serves as a transition within the larger teaching in Luke 17. After discussing forgiveness and faith, Jesus goes on to give an illustration of how even a small amount of faith can accomplish great things (Luke 17:6). The positioning of this request within the narrative shows that faith is not measured by quantity but by its object—trusting in the power of God.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Mark 9:24 – “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'”
- Matthew 17:20 – “He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'”
- Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
- Ephesians 2:8 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For modern believers, this verse is an encouragement to turn to God when faith feels weak. There are times in life when obeying God’s commands seems overwhelming—whether it’s forgiving someone who hurt us, trusting God in the midst of suffering, or stepping out in faith to do something we fear. This verse reminds us that it’s okay to feel inadequate as long as we bring those feelings to God.
Instead of trying to muster up faith on our own, we can follow the apostles’ example and ask God to increase our faith. As we do, we trust that He will grow it through His Spirit, often using life’s challenges to strengthen our dependence on Him.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen in His willingness to help His children grow in their faith. When the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, He didn’t rebuke them for feeling inadequate. Instead, He taught them that even a small amount of faith in the right place—faith in God—could do extraordinary things. This demonstrates God’s patience and compassion. He doesn’t expect His followers to have perfect faith from the start, but He does invite them to rely on Him as they grow.
God’s love also assures believers that He will not leave them to struggle on their own. He delights in answering prayers that come from a genuine desire to grow closer to Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the foundation of Christian faith. The apostles’ request to increase their faith was directed toward Jesus because they recognized that He was the one who could give them what they needed. Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated that faith in Him could bring healing, forgiveness, and salvation.
The ultimate act of faith is trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection for salvation (Romans 10:9). Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, believers can have confidence that their faith, no matter how small, is sufficient when placed in Him. As Hebrews 12:2 says, Jesus is “the author and perfecter of faith,” meaning He not only initiates faith in believers but also helps it grow.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there areas in your life where you feel your faith is weak? How can you bring those concerns to God in prayer?
- How does this verse challenge your understanding of what it means to have faith?
- Have you ever experienced a situation where your faith grew because you had to rely on God?
- Why do you think the apostles connected forgiveness with the need for more faith?
- How can you encourage others who feel like their faith is small or inadequate?
This verse serves as a reminder that faith is not about perfection but about persistence. As believers trust God to grow their faith, they can experience His power working in and through them, even in the most difficult situations.