Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 in the New King James Version (NKJV) reads: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Commentary:

This verse is often considered the biblical definition of faith. In Reformed Evangelical Christianity, faith is understood as a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8), not a product of human effort.

Substance of Things Hoped For: The Greek word for “substance” is “hypostasis”. It implies assurance, confidence, or substance. It’s the foundation that gives us confidence in what we hope for. In the Christian life, this refers to the promises of God, salvation, and eternal life.

Evidence of Things Not Seen: Faith is proof of the invisible realities God has promised. We may not physically see these promises, but through faith, we know they exist and trust they will come to pass.

Application to Modern Christian Living:

Faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1, is crucial in the life of a Christian. It shapes how we view our world and how we behave. Here are some applications:

Living in Hope: Christians can live in hope and assurance, knowing God is faithful to His promises, even when circumstances are challenging.

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight: Christians are called to live by faith, not by what we see (2 Corinthians 5:7). This means trusting in God’s promises and His character, even when our circumstances are difficult or don’t make sense.

Bibliography:

The Holy Bible, New King James Version. URL

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. URL

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. URL

The Reformed Evangelical Confession. URL

By Faith We Understand

11 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen.

Footnotes

Hebrews 11:1 realisation

Hebrews 11:1 Or confidence