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But, “faith” is hoping for something,1 [hoping for] the reality of things without visible proof.2
| 1 | “Faith” is hoping for something: Or, KJV: now faith is the substance of things hoped for; ASV: the assurance of things hoped for; WEY: confident assurance; RHM: things hoped for a confidence; BER: is being sure of the things we hope for; MON: the title-deed of things hoped for; NEB: faith gives substance to our hopes. The Greek word usually translated by the English “faith” is PISTIS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4102] The word “faith” is from Latin and means belief, or, trust with roots in Old English. “Conviction” is often a more appropriate word with greater strength, indicating “deep faith.” The essential definition of faith is hoping for something real which is unseen. See Romans 1:16. The Greek for belief (Old English) or faith (Latin) is PISTEUONTI [PISTEOS, PISTIN] and literally means: trust. Now the English “trust” is drawn from dru which means oak tree (thus the tree worshippers the Druids; endurance, durable). Dictionary of New Testament Theology discuss the Greek: “In classical Gk. literature pistis means trust that a man may place in men or The Gods [and is used of]… credibility… credit in business… guarantee… proof… pisteuo means to trust something or someone… [In Paul] ‘faith’ means receiving the message of salvation and conduct based on the gospel.” (Volume 2, pages 594, 601) Compare Romans 1:8 (above); 1 Corinthians 2:5; 1:14, 17. |
| 2 | [Hoping for] the reality of things without visible proof: Or, KJV: the evidence of things not seen; ASV: a conviction of things not seen; NEB: makes us certain of realities we do not see; WMS: the proof of the reality. Compare Romans 8:24; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:7. Having defined faith Paul will go on to illustrate it with dozens of Biblical examples. “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.” [TLT] |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Hebrews 11:1 as the theme verse of chapter eleven – “Faith and Ancient Witnesses.” Having stressed the need of faith in chapter ten, Paul now defines faith. [1-3] By faith we understand that God created and what is visible came out of the invisible.
Paul begins with examples of faith before the Flood. [4-7] He writes that without faith it is impossible to please God. He then moves on to the examples of Abraham and Sarah. [8-19] He makes it clear that all of these ancient faithful died without realizing God’s promise. Paul continues with examples of other faithful men. [20-22] He then dwells on the example of Moses. [23-29] Paul concludes with a list of faithful examples from Rahab to unnamed martyrs and persecuted. All these faithful did not “capture the Promise” but are waiting until the Christian Church is perfected. [39, 40]
Abba our Father bless those with faith.
[22 August 2002]
The old meaning of “substance,” as well as of hupostasis, the Greek word here used, is “stand under,” that is, to be a foundation. Faith is the foundation on which all our hopes for the future are built. Rather, the conviction or persuasion of things not seen. Without faith we would be limited to the very narrow world comprehended by the senses.
