In Paul’s letter to the Romans, we find the phrase: believe on several times. We do not find this in most translations, because it is usually translated as believe in, or something similar. We do find that in his letters as well (Phil. 1:29), but in the Epistle to the Romans, Paul uses a different preposition in a number of cases, the Greek epi, which means on. Below are three examples in which I have translated the phrase literally:
Romans 4
5 To him, however, who does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
(…)
24 but also because of us, to whom it will be counted, us who believe on Him who raises Jesus, our Lord, from the dead…
Romans 10
11 For the Scripture says: Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame. trust
We might not express it this way, but Paul literally speaks of believing on. We can also translate this as “establishing faith on,” but then we must add the word “establish.”
It becomes more powerful if we replace faith with a synonym, namely trust. And that is exactly what faith is: trusting on Him. Faith is not a religious activity of man, or the making of a specific choice. Faith is rely on the work of God. Whoever believes the gospel of God concerning His Son (Rom. 1:1 and 3) relies on Him who fulfills His promises, in the Son. Whoever trusts in God reckons as God reckons and lives in the certainty that He does what He promises.