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Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen is a well-known verse from the Bible, specifically Hebrews 11:1. This statement is often interpreted as a definition of faith, with substance translated as assurance, confidence, reality, or title-deed, and evidence as proof or conviction. Biblical faith is therefore not blind belief, but rather a firm foundation or conviction in things that are unseen or hoped for, based on careful observation and the weighing of evidence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of faith | "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1) |
| Faith as a foundation | "Faith is the foundation for what we hope, the foundation for our relationship with God and everything that it implies within His purpose." |
| Faith as assurance | "Faith gives us assurance by bringing us some of the substance of what we are hoping for." |
| Faith as confidence | "Faith becomes "confidence," and finally, in its best form, when it becomes fully operational, it is "trust." |
| Faith as conviction | "Faith is a conviction that the unseen God is real, is true, is all He says He is in God’s Word, and that we can completely trust Him." |
| Faith as evidence | "Faith is the result of our having a "word" from the Lord, which becomes the substance and evidence of our believing." |
What You'll Learn
Faith is the foundation for our relationship with God
Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. It is the very beginning of everything that matters spiritually.
The Greek word "hupostasis", translated as "substance" in Hebrews 11:1, means "a placing or setting under, a substructure or foundation". Faith is the foundation for what we hope for, and it is the basis for our relationship with God and everything that it implies within His purpose.
Faith is not just a belief; it is confidence and trust in God and His promises. It is a conviction that the unseen God is real and true. It is an inner reality, a firm grasp of unseen facts, and a resolute trust in God's trustworthy and unfailing nature.
Faith gives us assurance by bringing us closer to God and giving us a taste of His presence. It is like a check that can be cashed at a bank, providing us with the substance and assurance of God's promises. It is a "stand under" that supports us and brings us closer to God.
Faith is also an outward force, motivating believers to endure trials and hardships and to act decisively in obedience to God. It is the substance that moves our hearts and moves mountains.
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Faith is the beginning of everything that matters spiritually
The phrase "faith is the substance of things hoped for" is derived from Hebrews 11:1, which states: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This statement is often regarded as a definition of faith, with faith being the foundation for our relationship with God and everything that it implies within His purpose.
Faith is the very beginning of everything that really matters spiritually. It is the assurance or confidence in what we hope for, and it gives us conviction in things we cannot see. The word "substance" in the original Greek is "hupostasis", which means "a placing or setting under" or "that which stands under". It refers to a firm foundation or the real existence of something.
Faith gives us assurance by bringing us closer to the substance of what we hope for. It is not just believing that we will experience God someday, but also having a taste of God's presence here and now. This assurance gives us confidence that God is real, all-satisfying, and worthy of our trust.
The object of our faith must be beyond our ability to achieve, as faith works in the atmosphere of natural impossibility. It must be hoped for with a yearning heart and a pure motive, and we must have a personal conviction that what we believe in is as real as if it were already attained.
Faith is like a foundation that supports a building. It is the unseen support that holds up what is visible. It is not a struggle but a resting in hope, giving us inward responses to God's trustworthy nature.
In conclusion, faith is the beginning of everything that matters spiritually because it is the foundation of our relationship with God and our confidence in His promises. It gives us assurance, brings us closer to God, and provides us with the motivation to endure trials and hardships.
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Faith is trust in God
The phrase "faith is the substance of things hoped for" is derived from Hebrews 11:1, which states: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This statement is often interpreted as a definition of faith, describing two critical aspects of the theological concept.
The first aspect is that faith serves as the "substance" or "foundation" of our hopes and aspirations. The Greek word for "substance" in this context is "hupostasis", which means "a placing or setting under, a substructure or foundation." It implies that faith is the very beginning of our spiritual journey, providing a firm foundation for our relationship with God and all that it entails within His purpose.
The second aspect is that faith is the "evidence" or "assurance" of things we cannot see or fully comprehend. This does not imply blind belief or wishful thinking. Instead, it suggests that faith is the result of our trust in God's promises, which are based on our experiences and understanding of His Word.
Faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1, can be understood as a form of trust in God. It is the conviction that God's promises are real and true, even if we cannot fully grasp them with our physical senses. This trust is not baseless but is founded on the Word of God, which serves as the evidence for our faith.
The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated such faith. Abel, for instance, is described as offering a sacrifice to God "by faith" (Hebrews 11:4). He believed and obeyed the specific instructions given to him by God, setting him apart from others. Similarly, Noah built the ark and saved his family by faith (Hebrews 11:7), and Abraham obeyed God's command to leave his homeland (Hebrews 11:8–10). These individuals acted with trust and obedience, confident in God's promises, even though they could not see the outcome.
Faith, therefore, is not merely intellectual assent but a deep trust in God and His Word. It is a conviction that moves us to action, giving us assurance and hope, even in the face of uncertainty and unseen realities. This trust in God is the very essence of biblical faith, and it forms the foundation of our spiritual lives and our relationship with the divine.
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Faith is the assurance of God's presence
Faith is often described as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen". This means that faith is about having an assurance and an inner conviction that God will fulfil all of His promises.
The Greek word translated as "assurance" also has the meaning "substance" or "reality". This is why the King James Version of the Bible translates Hebrews 11:1 as "faith is the substance of things hoped for". This interpretation suggests that faith gives us assurance by bringing us closer to God, allowing us to experience His presence and giving us a taste of His substance.
In other words, faith can bring us closer to God in the present moment, not just in the hope of experiencing Him in the future. This experience of God's presence gives us assurance that He is real, that He is all-satisfying, and that we can fully trust Him.
Faith can be seen as a foundation or a "stand under" that which supports us and brings us closer to God. It is not a blind belief, but rather a result of God's word and the experiences we have with Him.
As we strengthen our faith, we can perceive and experience God's presence more fully, tasting "heaven here on earth".
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Faith is the conviction of things not seen
The phrase "faith is the substance of things hoped for" is derived from Hebrews 11:1 in the Bible: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This statement is often interpreted as a definition of faith, with "substance" translated as assurance, confidence, certainty, reality, or substance itself. The original Greek term "hupostasis" conveys the idea of a firm foundation or a resolute trust.
Faith, in this context, is described as the foundation of our relationship with God and the starting point for everything that holds spiritual significance. It is not blind belief, gullibility, or wishful thinking. Instead, it is an assurance and an inner conviction that God will fulfil His promises. This conviction is based on the Word of God, which serves as the evidence or proof of things not seen.
The concept of "faith is the conviction of things not seen" suggests that faith provides proof or evidence of God's existence, even though He cannot be seen. This conviction is not based on blind belief but on the Word of God, as mentioned in Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." By having faith in God's Word, we can be certain of His promises and His existence, even if we cannot see Him.
The heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham, demonstrated this type of faith. They acted on their faith and trust in God's promises, even though they did not see the fulfilment of those promises during their lifetimes. Their actions and obedience to God's Word proved both the existence and validity of their faith.
In conclusion, "faith is the conviction of things not seen" means that faith provides evidence and assurance of God's existence and His promises, even in the absence of physical sight. It is a firm foundation and a resolute trust in God, based on His Word, that motivates us to act and obey.
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Frequently asked questions
"Faith is the substance" means that faith is the foundation for our relationship with God and everything that it implies within His purpose. Faith is the very beginning of everything that really matters spiritually.
The phrase "faith is the substance" comes from Hebrews 11:1, which reads, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
The word "substance" in this context is translated from the Greek word "hupostasis", which means "a placing or setting under, a substructure or foundation." It refers to something that stands under and supports an object, bringing it into material manifestation.
This interpretation of faith differs from the common misconception that faith fills in the gaps in the absence of tangible evidence. Instead, it highlights that faith is based on careful observation and the weighing of available evidence, leading to a confident trust in God's promises.
Understanding faith as the substance encourages believers to have full confidence in the Lord's promises, even during challenging times. It motivates believers to act boldly, pray unwaveringly, love unconditionally, serve compassionately, and work tirelessly in obedience to God.
