If faith is the locus in the human from which work arises, it is clear that faith is not simply a one-off cognitive assent to certain truth claims. On the contrary, faith is essentially active and productive; good works are yielded as its fruit. The active nature of faith is also revealed in the participle ἱ πιστεύ ντες (1:7; 2:10, 13), which in the present tense emphasises the ongoing nature of faith. Wallace points out that although the aorist participle was sometimes used, the New Testament writers opted more frequently for the present participle with the aspectual force of continual belief in view.
The activity of faith is evident as well when Paul rejoices that their faith spread to Macedonia, Achaia, and all places (1:7-8). The intriguing statement, ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν ἡ π ὸς τὸν θεὸν ἐξελήλυθεν s expla ned b the act t that Paul summarises in the surrounding verses: 1) they became examples to believers in Macedonia and Achaia; 2) the word of the Lord sounded forth from them (v.7); 3) reports about their welcoming spirit to the apostles (v.9); 4) turning to God from idols (v.9); 5) serving a living and true God (v.9); 6) waiting for the return of Jesus (v.10). The importance of an active faith is evident in many ways throughout the letter