1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
1. Substance: This word carries the sense of foundation, underlying reality, or assurance. Faith is the bedrock upon which our hopes rest.
2. Things hoped for: This refers to the promises of God, things that are anticipated but not yet fully realized, like the fulfillment of prophecy or the hope of eternal life.
3. Evidence: Not evidence in the scientific sense, but a conviction – an inner certainty about unseen realities.
4. Things not seen: Points to spiritual truths and promises of God that are not visible to the physical eye.
5. Faith is belief with trust: It goes beyond mere intellectual agreement about God's existence. Faith involves trusting His character and promises, even when we don't have all the answers or immediate proof.
6. Faith focuses on the future: Faith gives us confidence in things we desire, but haven't experienced in their fullness yet.
7. Faith is rooted in God's Word: It's not a blind leap, but based on the promises and character of God revealed in Scripture.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
1. By it: Refers back to the faith described in verse 1 – that trusting, forward-leaning reliance on God and His unseen promises.
2. The elders: Likely refers to the heroes of faith mentioned in the Old Testament, including figures like Abraham, Noah, Moses, etc.
3. Obtained a good report: Doesn't mean they received good press or earthly fame, but that they were found righteous and pleasing in God's sight.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
1. Through faith (διά, dia): This preposition signifies the means or instrument by which something is achieved. Here, faith acts as the bridge that allows us to comprehend the truth about creation.
2. Faith (πίστις, pistis): This word in Greek refers to a firm belief, trust, or confidence. In Hebrews, it emphasizes a reliance on God and His promises, even when they can't be fully grasped by human reason alone.
3. We understand (κατανοέω, katanooeo): This verb means to perceive clearly, to comprehend, or to gain intellectual insight. Here, through faith, we are given the ability to grasp a truth that might not be readily apparent to our senses alone.
4. The worlds (αἰών, aiōn): This word can have various meanings depending on context. Here, it can be interpreted in two ways:
a. Literal Worlds: Referring to the physical universe or multiple created realms.
b. Ages or Eons: Pointing to different periods of time or realities within God's eternal existence.
5. Framed (γίνομαι, ginomai): This verb can mean "to come into existence," "to become," or "to be made." It emphasizes God's active role in creation.
6. The word of God (ῥῆμα, rhema): This refers to a spoken word, utterance, or decree. It signifies God's powerful and authoritative command that brought creation into existence.
7. God (Θεοῦ, Theou): The singular form of God, emphasizing His singular power and role as the Creator.
8. So that (ἵνα, hina): This conjunction introduces a purpose clause, explaining the result of God's creative word.
9. Things which are seen (βλέπω, blepo): This refers to things that are perceptible by our senses, the visible world.
10. Were not made (γίνομαι, ginomai): The same verb used for "framed," emphasizing the act of creation.
11. Things which appear (φαίνω, phaino): This verb means "to show" or "to appear." Here, it refers to things that are visible or manifest to our senses.
1. Creation from Nothingness: The visible world wasn't created from pre-existing material. God spoke it into existence from nothing.
2. Created from the Invisible: The visible world was created from the invisible realm of God's spirit and creative power. "Things which appear" could refer to the limitations of human perception.
1. Substance: This word carries the sense of foundation, underlying reality, or assurance. Faith is the bedrock upon which our hopes rest.
2. Things hoped for: This refers to the promises of God, things that are anticipated but not yet fully realized, like the fulfillment of prophecy or the hope of eternal life.
3. Evidence: Not evidence in the scientific sense, but a conviction – an inner certainty about unseen realities.
4. Things not seen: Points to spiritual truths and promises of God that are not visible to the physical eye.
5. Faith is belief with trust: It goes beyond mere intellectual agreement about God's existence. Faith involves trusting His character and promises, even when we don't have all the answers or immediate proof.
6. Faith focuses on the future: Faith gives us confidence in things we desire, but haven't experienced in their fullness yet.
7. Faith is rooted in God's Word: It's not a blind leap, but based on the promises and character of God revealed in Scripture.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
1. By it: Refers back to the faith described in verse 1 – that trusting, forward-leaning reliance on God and His unseen promises.
2. The elders: Likely refers to the heroes of faith mentioned in the Old Testament, including figures like Abraham, Noah, Moses, etc.
3. Obtained a good report: Doesn't mean they received good press or earthly fame, but that they were found righteous and pleasing in God's sight.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
1. Through faith (διά, dia): This preposition signifies the means or instrument by which something is achieved. Here, faith acts as the bridge that allows us to comprehend the truth about creation.
2. Faith (πίστις, pistis): This word in Greek refers to a firm belief, trust, or confidence. In Hebrews, it emphasizes a reliance on God and His promises, even when they can't be fully grasped by human reason alone.
3. We understand (κατανοέω, katanooeo): This verb means to perceive clearly, to comprehend, or to gain intellectual insight. Here, through faith, we are given the ability to grasp a truth that might not be readily apparent to our senses alone.
4. The worlds (αἰών, aiōn): This word can have various meanings depending on context. Here, it can be interpreted in two ways:
a. Literal Worlds: Referring to the physical universe or multiple created realms.
b. Ages or Eons: Pointing to different periods of time or realities within God's eternal existence.
5. Framed (γίνομαι, ginomai): This verb can mean "to come into existence," "to become," or "to be made." It emphasizes God's active role in creation.
6. The word of God (ῥῆμα, rhema): This refers to a spoken word, utterance, or decree. It signifies God's powerful and authoritative command that brought creation into existence.
7. God (Θεοῦ, Theou): The singular form of God, emphasizing His singular power and role as the Creator.
8. So that (ἵνα, hina): This conjunction introduces a purpose clause, explaining the result of God's creative word.
9. Things which are seen (βλέπω, blepo): This refers to things that are perceptible by our senses, the visible world.
10. Were not made (γίνομαι, ginomai): The same verb used for "framed," emphasizing the act of creation.
11. Things which appear (φαίνω, phaino): This verb means "to show" or "to appear." Here, it refers to things that are visible or manifest to our senses.
- Negation (μὴ, mē): The negative particle "not" strengthens the idea that the visible world wasn't created from pre-existing, visible materials.
1. Creation from Nothingness: The visible world wasn't created from pre-existing material. God spoke it into existence from nothing.
2. Created from the Invisible: The visible world was created from the invisible realm of God's spirit and creative power. "Things which appear" could refer to the limitations of human perception.