Faith Means Allegiance, Not Belief

The article argues Paul’s 'faith' (pistis) should be read as loyalty/allegiance within a Greco‑Roman patronage ('charis') system—not as blind belief without evidence. Framing God as patron and salvation as patronage received through allegiance reframes what religious 'faith' asks of adherents. — This linguistic‑historical reading can reshape public debates about religion’s role in civic life and counter the trope that faith is inherently irrational credulity.