Both. Unless we can depend upon the character of the one speaking, we cannot rely upon his word. God and His Word are inseparable. God says that He magnifies His Word even above His name (Psa. 138:2). Jesus Christ is the Word or expression of God. This means that He in no way misrepresents His Father’s character. 

The Greek word for faith, pistis, includes both trusting God’s character and taking His Word at face value. Hebrew, however, uses four separate words to express the ideas wrapped up in the one Greek word for faith. 

These Hebrew words are usually translated “trust.” Each one emphasizes a different aspect of the work of faith. 

 Faith takes refuge within the person.

The Hebrew verb meaning “to take refuge within” brings out the emphasis of the safety of trust. 

“The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust” (Ruth 2:12). 

 Faith means relying upon someone who is completely trustworthy.

The Hebrew verb “to lean upon” refers to a personal reliance upon another. It adds the dimension of abandoning one’s self in committal to the care of another. We only lean upon that which we are persuaded is dependable. 

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Psa. 56:3, 4). 

 Faith means letting go of our burdens into the hands of another.

We will only let another take over our concerns when we are convinced he can handle them better than we can ourselves. The Hebrew verb “to roll upon” extends the idea of committal, emphasizing even more our act of relinquishing our concerns to another. We allow God to take full responsibility for us. 

“He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him …” (Psa. 22:8). 

 Faith frees us from our own efforts and enables us to stay put in God.

The Hebrew verb “to stay upon” brings out the aspect of rest from one’s own efforts and repose in the knowledge that someone trustworthy is caring for us. 

“. . . .therefore trust thou in him” (Job 35:14).