Thank you for your excellent question. The word for faith is the same Greek word “pistis” in both Romans 10:17 and Galatians 5:22. This word means persuasion, belief, moral conviction of religious truth, reliance upon Christ for salvation, and constancy in such profession. Let us read the context of both portions to learn more about how the word faith is used in these verses.

We read in Romans 10:8-17, “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Romans 10:8-16 makes it plain that the context of verse 17 is about people trusting Christ as their Savior and receiving salvation. God uses His precious Word through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to draw souls to repentance and faith for salvation. We read in 1 Peter 1:23, “BEING BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, BY THE WORD OF GOD, which liveth and abideth for ever.” This is why it is so important to use verses from God’s Word when we witness to people about their need for a Savior. We cannot save anyone! However, God’s Word is living and powerful to save precious souls.

We read in Galatians 5:22-25, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Faith is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Only believers have the Holy Spirit indwelling them. As we read in Ephesians 1:13, “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” (NASB). We also read in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS IN YOU, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

In summary, we learn from Romans 10:17 that the Word of God produces faith in an unbeliever so that they can be saved. Reading the Word of God continues to increase our faith after we are saved, but the primary message in Romans 10:17 is the role of the Word of God in producing faith for salvation. In Galatians 5:22, faith is part of the fruit of the Spirit that is given to all believers. How we need faith for every day of our lives after we trust Christ as our Savior! We learn that we can trust our Savior not only to save us from the wrath of God, but to help us each day to live for Him as we travel home to glory. The way to increase our faith circles back to studying the Bible and obeying the truth that is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. We read in John 16:13, “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”  (DJ)  (586.4)