Faith is the Substance of Things Hoped Hebrews 11:1

The writer of Hebrews shared with his readers how “the just shall live by faith”, and he warned against those who “draw back unto perdition”. He declared that he and his readers were “not of them”, but were of the ones who “believe to the saving of the soul” . In chapter eleven and verse one of Hebrews the writer shares about how falling into the “faith is the substance of things hoped for” where we read:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The verse begins, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,...”. The writer began with the words, “Now faith” which means “moreover and also the conviction of the truth of anything and belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ which springs from trust in the same” “is the substance” or “is the setting, placing under, substructure and foundation” “of things hoped for” or “waited, expected, and trusted in with joy and full confidence”. “Faith”, according to the writer of Hebrews, is the “foundation” of anything that is “expected” and “waited for”.

The verse continues, “...the evidence of things not seen.”. The writer added the words, “the evidence” or “the proof, tested and conviction” “of things” which refers to “that which has been done, a deed or an accomplished fact, matter, question or affair” “not seen” or “not discerned, possessed of sight, perceived, known by experience or gazed upon”. “Faith” is the “proof and tested conviction” of those “things” which are not “perceived, known or gazed upon”.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we understand the “foundation” of everything that can be “hoped for” is “faith”. Though we cannot presently see the object or entity of our “hope”, “faith” places us under the conviction that it is real and may be obtained. God desires for us to have “faith” in Him and His Son Jesus Christ, and though we cannot with our physical eyes see either of them, we may rely upon the “foundation” of “faith” as “proof and conviction” that He exists. As we explore this wonderful chapter in Hebrews which is often called “the hall of faith”, let us discover example after example of those who lived before us who relied upon the “foundation” of “faith” though they could not at the time receive that for which they “hoped”. May the Lord grant us the wisdom and ability to see the great asset we have when we exercise our “faith”.

Next time the writer shares how by faith “the elders obtained a good report., so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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