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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/58_Heb_11_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 11:1 - Faith and Assurance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hebrews/10-39.htm" title="Hebrews 10:39">◄</a> Hebrews 11:1 <a href="/hebrews/11-2.htm" title="Hebrews 11:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/hebrews/11.htm">New International Version</a> Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. <a href="/nlt/hebrews/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. <a href="/esv/hebrews/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. <a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. <a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not being seen. <a href="/kjv/hebrews/11.htm">King James Bible</a> Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. <a href="/nkjv/hebrews/11.htm">New King James Version</a> Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. <a href="/nasb_/hebrews/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. <a href="/nasb/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. <a href="/nasb77/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. <a href="/lsb/hebrews/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. <a href="/amp/hebrews/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. <a href="/csb/hebrews/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. <a href="/hcsb/hebrews/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. <a href="/asv/hebrews/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. <a href="/cev/hebrews/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. <a href="/erv/hebrews/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen. <a href="/gwt/hebrews/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. <a href="/gnt/hebrews/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. <a href="/isv/hebrews/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists. <a href="/msb/hebrews/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. <a href="/net/hebrews/11.htm">NET Bible</a> Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. <a href="/nheb/hebrews/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now faith is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see. <a href="/wbt/hebrews/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. <a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. <a href="/web/hebrews/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hebrews/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Now faith is [the] substance of things hoped for, [the] proof of matters not being seen, <a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not being seen. <a href="/ylt/hebrews/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And faith is of things hoped for a confidence, of matters not seen a conviction, <a href="/slt/hebrews/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And faith is the foundation of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hebrews/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. <a href="/cpdv/hebrews/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent. <a href="/nabre/hebrews/11.htm">New American Bible</a> Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. <a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, just as it was the substance of things which have come to pass; and it is the evidence of things not seen, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Now faith is the conviction concerning those things that are in hope, as if it were these things in action, and the revelation of those things that are unseen;<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/hebrews/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Now, faith is a sure confidence with respect to things hoped for, a firm persuasion with respect to things not seen: <a href="/godbey/hebrews/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But faith is the confidence of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. <a href="/haweis/hebrews/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> NOW faith is the realizing confidence of the things hoped for, and the demonstration of things unseen: <a href="/mace/hebrews/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Now faith is the foundation of our hopes of happiness, and the persuasion we have about things not evident to our senses. <a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. <a href="/worrell/hebrews/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Now faith is an assurance of things hoped for, a sure persuasion of things not seen; <a href="/worsley/hebrews/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now faith is the confident expectation of things hoped for, and a conviction of things not seen: <a href="/parallel/hebrews/11-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=2065" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Faith and Assurance</a> 1<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistis (N-NFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: Estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/5287.htm" title="5287: hypostasis (N-NFS) -- From a compound of hupo and histemi; a setting under, i.e. concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance.">the assurance</a> <a href="/greek/1679.htm" title="1679: elpizomenōn (V-PPM/P-GNP) -- To hope, hope for, expect, trust. From elpis; to expect or confide.">of what we hope for</a> <a href="/greek/1650.htm" title="1650: elenchos (N-NMS) -- A proof, possibly: a persuasion; reproof. From elegcho; proof, conviction.">and the certainty</a> <a href="/greek/4229.htm" title="4229: pragmatōn (N-GNP) -- A thing done, a deed, action; a matter, an affair. From prasso; a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object.">of what</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: blepomenōn (V-PPM/P-GNP) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">we do not see.</a> 2This is why the ancients were commended.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/8-24.htm">Romans 8:24-25</a> For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? / But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-7.htm">2 Corinthians 5:7</a> For we walk by faith, not by sight. <a href="/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17-18</a> So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. / But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. <a href="/matthew/21-21.htm">Matthew 21:21-22</a> “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. / If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” <a href="/mark/11-22.htm">Mark 11:22-24</a> “Have faith in God,” Jesus said to them. / “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him. / Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. <a href="/john/20-29.htm">John 20:29</a> Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” <a href="/1_peter/1-8.htm">1 Peter 1:8-9</a> Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, / now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-18.htm">2 Corinthians 4:18</a> So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. <a href="/galatians/5-5.htm">Galatians 5:5</a> But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness. <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8</a> For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, <a href="/1_john/5-4.htm">1 John 5:4</a> because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. <a href="/habakkuk/2-4.htm">Habakkuk 2:4</a> Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith— <a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a> Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. <a href="/isaiah/7-9.htm">Isaiah 7:9</a> The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.’” <a href="/psalms/27-13.htm">Psalm 27:13</a> Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.faith.<a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13</a> These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.<a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22,39</a> Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water… <a href="/acts/20-21.htm">Acts 20:21</a> Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.is the.<a href="/psalms/27-13.htm">Psalm 27:13</a> I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.<a href="/psalms/42-11.htm">Psalm 42:11</a> Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.substance.<a href="/hebrews/2-3.htm">Hebrews 2:3</a> How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;<a href="/hebrews/3-14.htm">Hebrews 3:14</a> For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;<a href="/2_corinthians/9-4.htm">2 Corinthians 9:4</a> Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.hoped.<a href="/hebrews/6-12.htm">Hebrews 6:12,18,19</a> That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises… the evidence.<a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">Hebrews 11:7,27</a> By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith… <a href="/romans/8-24.htm">Romans 8:24,25</a> For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? … <a href="/2_corinthians/4-18.htm">2 Corinthians 4:18</a> While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Assurance</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-35.htm">Confidence</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-9.htm">Conviction</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-16.htm">Evidence</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-39.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-35.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-5.htm">Hoped</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-5.htm">Proof</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-24.htm">Reality</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-20.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-34.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-19.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-26.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/28-66.htm">Assurance</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-6.htm">Confidence</a> <a href="/acts/4-33.htm">Conviction</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-5.htm">Evidence</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-3.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-5.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-5.htm">Hoped</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-15.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/james/1-3.htm">Proof</a> <a href="/john/8-36.htm">Reality</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-28.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-16.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-33.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 11</div>1. <a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">What faith is.</a> 6. <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Without faith we cannot please God.</a> 7. <a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">The examples of faithfulness in the fathers of old time.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for Faith, in this context, is presented as a foundational element of the Christian life. The term "assurance" suggests a firm confidence or guarantee. This assurance is not based on visible evidence but on trust in God's promises. The concept of hope in the Bible often refers to a confident expectation of future blessings, particularly those related to eternal life and the fulfillment of God's promises. This phrase connects to the patriarchs and prophets who lived by faith, as seen in the subsequent verses of <a href="/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a>. Their lives exemplified a trust in God's promises, even when the fulfillment was not immediate or visible.and the certainty of what we do not see The "certainty" here implies a conviction or proof of things not visible to the human eye. This aspect of faith involves believing in spiritual realities and divine truths that are beyond physical perception. The unseen includes the existence of God, the reality of heaven, and the spiritual realm. This aligns with <a href="/2_corinthians/5-7.htm">2 Corinthians 5:7</a>, which states, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." The unseen also encompasses the future fulfillment of God's promises, such as the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. This faith is not blind but is based on the character and faithfulness of God, as demonstrated throughout Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/h/hebrews.htm">Hebrews (Audience)</a> The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were tempted to revert to Judaism. The author encourages them to hold fast to their faith in Christ. 2. <a href="/topical/f/faith.htm">Faith (Concept)</a> Central to this passage, faith is described as assurance and certainty, foundational to the believer's relationship with God. 3. <a href="/topical/o/old_testament_saints.htm">Old Testament Saints (Context)</a> Hebrews 11, often called the "Faith Chapter," lists numerous Old Testament figures who exemplified faith, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_faith.htm">Understanding Faith</a> Faith is not a vague hope but a confident assurance in God's promises. It involves trust in what God has revealed, even when it is not visible. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_hope.htm">Faith and Hope</a> Faith is closely linked to hope. It is the assurance of what we hope for, meaning that our hope in God's promises is grounded in the certainty of faith. <a href="/topical/l/living_by_faith.htm">Living by Faith</a> Believers are called to live by faith, trusting in God's character and promises, even when circumstances are challenging or unclear. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> True faith manifests in obedience and action. The examples in <a href="/bsb/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a> show that faith leads to tangible steps of obedience. <a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_trials.htm">Encouragement in Trials</a> Faith provides strength and encouragement during trials. It assures us of God's presence and future fulfillment of His promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 11</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_faith_vs._fear.htm">What does the Bible say about faith versus fear?</a> <a href="/q/can_faith_alter_divine_plans.htm">Can faith alter divine plans?</a> <a href="/q/do_the_righteous_live_by_faith_alone.htm">Do the righteous live by faith alone?</a> <a href="/q/do_you_believe_in_what_you_cannot_see.htm">Do you believe in what you cannot see?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) We have seen how the writer approached the subject which is the chief theme of this last division of this Epistle. The coming of the Lord, for judgment upon His adversaries, for salvation to His people, draws nigh. In the midst of dangers and judgments God's righteous servant shall live, and the ground, of his life is his steadfast faith--if he shrink back, destruction will overtake him. "Our principle of action" (the writer says to his Hebrew readers) "is not shrinking back, but faith. And faith is this. . . ." It has been debated whether that which follows is a definition of what faith is, or in reality a description of what faith does. It is not a complete definition, in the sense of including all the moments of thought which are present in the word as used in the last chapter (<a href="/hebrews/11-38.htm" title="(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.">Hebrews 11:38</a>) or in this. The "things hoped for" are not mere figments of the imagination; their basis is the word of God. If we keep this in mind, the words, still remaining general in their form, agree with all that has led up to them and with all that follows; and whether they be called definition or description will be of little consequence.The exact meaning of the special terms here used it is not easy to ascertain. The word rendered "substance" has already occurred twice in the Epistle. In <a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm" title="Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:">Hebrews 1:3</a> this was its true meaning--the essence which, so to speak, underlies, "stands under," the qualities possessed. In <a href="/hebrews/3-14.htm" title="For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end;">Hebrews 3:14</a> the same metaphor of standing under is applied to steadfastness, confidence (see the Note). The former of these renderings the Authorised version.--in this instance deserting the earlier translations (which for the most part have "sure confidence" or "ground") to follow the Rhemish in its rendering of the Latin. substantia--has made familiar in the present passage. The sense which it presents, however, is not very clean; and the symmetry of the verse almost compels us here to make choice of some word which denotes an act, or at all events an attitude, of the mind. Most commentators of our own day accept the second meaning explained above, "confidence" or "assurance in regard to things hoped for." To adopt Dr. Vaughan's clear explanation, "Faith is that principle, that exercise of mind and soul, which has for its object things not seen but hoped for, and which, instead of sinking under them as too ponderous, whether from their difficulty or from their uncertainty, stands firm under them--supports and sustains their pressure--in other words, is assured of, confides in and relies on them." This interpretation yields an excellent sense, and has the advantage of assigning to the Greek word a meaning which it certainly bears in an earlier chapter, and in two places of St. Paul's Epistles. On the other hand, the analogy of the second member of the verse, and a peculiarity in the Greek construction which we cannot here discuss, seem to be in favour of a third rendering of the words: "Faith is the giving substance to things hoped for." It has indeed been said that by such a translation the things hoped for are represented as being without substance. But this difficulty is only apparent; for in regard to ourselves these objects of our hope do not yet exist, since they still belong to the future (<a href="/context/romans/8-24.htm" title="For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?">Romans 8:24-25</a>). In the second clause the word "evidence" is likely to mislead; very probably, indeed, it now fails to convey the sense intended by our translators, who hero followed the rendering of the Genevan Bible (suggested by Calvin's "evidentia"). The Greek word denotes putting to the test, examining for the purpose of proof, bringing to conviction. Under this aspect faith appears as neither blindly rejecting nor blindly accepting whatever may be said about things unseen, but boldly dealing with them as if with things seen, and then unflinchingly accepting that which has stood the proof. One peculiarity of the Greek yet remains to be noticed. In the second clause the word "things" is expressed in the Greek (as in <a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm" title="That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us:">Hebrews 6:18</a>), but not in the first; we are by this means reminded of the reality of that which is thus spoken of as unseen. The whole verse, then, may be rendered "Now faith is the giving substance to what is hoped for, the testing of things not seen." And now passing away from the general aspect of the words to that in which they are presented by the context, we have as the meaning: Faith, holding to God's word, gives substance to what that word promises, investing the future blessings with a present existence, treating them as if already objects of sight rather than of hope. Through faith, guided by the same word, the things unseen are brought to the proof; what that word teaches, though future, or though belonging to a world beyond human sight, is received with full conviction. Thus "every genuine act of faith is the act of the whole man, not of his understanding alone, not of his affections alone, not of his will alone, but of all three in their central, aboriginal unity." And thus faith becomes "the faculty in man through which the spiritual world exercises its sway over him, and thereby enables him to overcome the world of sin and death." (Hare, Victory of Faith.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Now faith is the substance (so A.V., with marginal readings, "or ground, or, confidence") of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. On the senses in which the word ὑπόστασις (translated "substance") may be used, see under Hebrews 1:2. As to the sense intended here, views differ. There are three possible ones, expressed in the text and margin of the A.V., substance, ground, and confidence. The first is understood by the Fathers generally, the idea being supposed to be that, inasmuch as things not yet experienced, but only hoped for, become real to us by faith, faith is metaphysically their substance, as substantiating them to us. So Theophilus: Οὐσίωσις τῶν μήπω ὄντων ὑπόστασις τῶν μὴ ὑφεστηκότων: and Chrysostom, who illustrates thus: "The resurrection has not yet taken place, but faith substantiates (ὑφίστησιν) it in our souls." So also Dante, following St. Thomas Aquinas, in a striking passage quoted by Delitzsch ('Paradise,' 24:70-75) - "Le profonde cose Che mi largiscon qui la lor parvenza Agli occhi di laggiu son si nascose, Che l'esser lore ve in sola credenza, Sovra la qual si fondu Palta spene: E pero di sustanza prende Fintenza." "The things profound That here vouch safe to me their apparition From all eyes here below are so concealed That all their being is in faith alone, Upon the which high hope doth base itself: And therefore faith assumes the place of substance." The rendering ground, which involves only the simpler idea of faith being the foundation on which hope is built, has not much support from the use of the word elsewhere, nor does it seem suitable here. For it is not the things hoped for, but rather our hopes of them that are grounded on our faith. The subjective sense, confidence, or assurance, is most in favor with modern commentators, principally as being the most usual one (cf. <a href="/hebrews/3-14.htm">Hebrews 3:14</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/9-4.htm">2 Corinthians 9:4</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/11-17.htm">2 Corinthians 11:17</a>; also <a href="/psalms/38-11.htm">Psalm 38:11</a>, Ἡ ὑπόστασις μου παρὰ σοῦ ἔστιν: <a href="/ezekiel/19-5.htm">Ezekiel 19:5</a>, Ἀπώλετο ἡ ὑπόστασις αὐτῆς: <a href="/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12</a>, Ἔστι μοι ὑπόστασις τοῦ γενεθῆναι με ἀνδρί). One objection to this sense of the word here is that it is usually followed, when so intended, by a genitive of rite person, not of the thing; though <a href="/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12</a> is an instance to the contrary. But apart from this consideration, the consensus of the Greek Fathers is a weighty argument for the retention of the rendering of the A.V. Either rendering, be it observed, gives the same essential meaning, though under different mental conceptions. Faith is further said to be the evidence of things not seen; ἔλεγχος meaning, not as some take it, inward conviction of their existence, but in itself a demonstration, serving the purpose of argument to induce conviction. So Dante, in continuation of the passage quoted above - "E da questa credenza ci conviene Sillogizar senza avere ultra visa; E pero intenza d'argomento tiene." . . . <a href="/commentaries/hebrews/11-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Now δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. faith πίστις (pistis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. is Ἔστιν (Estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. [the] assurance ὑπόστασις (hypostasis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5287.htm">Strong's 5287: </a> From a compound of hupo and histemi; a setting under, i.e. concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance. of what [we] hope for ἐλπιζομένων (elpizomenōn) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1679.htm">Strong's 1679: </a> To hope, hope for, expect, trust. From elpis; to expect or confide. [and the] certainty ἔλεγχος (elenchos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1650.htm">Strong's 1650: </a> A proof, possibly: a persuasion; reproof. From elegcho; proof, conviction. of what πραγμάτων (pragmatōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4229.htm">Strong's 4229: </a> A thing done, a deed, action; a matter, an affair. From prasso; a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object. we do not see. βλεπομένων (blepomenōn) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped (Heb. He. 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