What does Hebrews 11:1 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 11:1 is a key verse in Christian theology as it defines the nature of faith from a biblical perspective.

On a surface level, faith is presented as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Literally, the verse suggests that faith serves as a foundation or substance that gives reality to our hopes, functioning as the evidence or proof of the unseen spiritual truths.

On a deeper level, the verse implies that faith bridges the gap between the physical world and the spiritual realm, allowing believers to trust in God and His promises, even when tangible proof is not available or present.

Historical Context

The Book of Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and doubting their faith. The exact author is unknown, although traditionally it is attributed to Paul the Apostle.

Scholars date the writing of Hebrews to approximately 64-70 AD.

The verse is situated at the beginning of what is often referred to as the "faith chapter" of the Bible, which highlights examples of faith demonstrated by Old Testament figures.

The historical context suggests that this definition of faith was intended to encourage and reinforce the belief of these early Christians, despite the difficulties and lack of physical evidence of their beliefs.

Theological Insights

Theological reflections on Hebrews 11:1 vary by tradition.

In Catholicism, the verse underscores the importance of believing in the unseen and acknowledges faith as a gift from God.

Protestant theologians, influenced by the Reformation, often emphasize faith alone (sola fide) as the means of salvation and see this verse as foundational to that doctrine.

Reformed theology identifies faith as not only belief but also trust and confidence in God's promises, which entails a personal reliance on God.

From a theological standpoint, this verse challenges the notion of empiricism and suggests that true knowledge of God comes through faith.

Practical Applications

The verse encourages believers to live by faith, not by sight.

This means that one's actions and decisions should be guided by trust in God's promises and character rather than solely by what is observable or proven in the physical realm.

It inspires Christians to be confident in their hopes for salvation and eternal life and to act with conviction in matters of moral and spiritual importance, even when such actions might not be validated by the secular world.

Cross-References

• 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
• Romans 8:24-25, "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? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
• 1 Peter 1:8-9, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

Language Study

In Greek, the term "substance" (ὑπόστασις, hypostasis) signifies "assurance," "confidence," or "what stands under." It denotes the reality or essence of something, in this case, faith giving substance to our hopes.

The word "evidence" (ἔλεγχος, elegchos) can be translated as "conviction" or "proof," suggesting that faith provides intrinsic conviction of things not visible to the human eye, such as spiritual truths or the existence of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In broader religious contexts, faith is often a common theme, with many traditions emphasizing belief in unseen forces or deities.

Hindu philosophy, for instance, speaks to faith in the principles of dharma and karma, which operate beyond immediate observation.

In Buddhism, faith in the Buddha and his teachings (Dharma) is crucial for spiritual progression, despite not always being provable by empirical evidence.

However, Hebrews 11:1 presents a particularly Christian viewpoint where faith is intimately connected to the hope of salvation and the reality of a personal God.

Scientific Perspectives

Science typically operates on empirical evidence and observable phenomena, which stands in contrast to the biblical conception of faith outlined in Hebrews 11:1.

While science and faith address different aspects of human understanding, they can intersect.

For some, scientific discovery enhances their faith as it reveals the complexity and order of the universe, which they attribute to a divine creator.

Others maintain that faith and science occupy separate domains, with faith dealing with spiritual truths and science with material realities.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and theologians offer commentaries on Hebrews 11:1:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the assurance faith provides to believers, suggesting faith is a firm persuasion and expectation of future things based on divine testimony.
• The Expositor's Bible Commentary notes that faith acts as a title deed, indicating ownership of what is hoped for.

This interpretation leans heavily on the Greek word "hypostasis" as an underlying reality that gives believers confidence.

• John Calvin, in his commentaries, sees this faith as a firm and certain knowledge of God’s benevolence toward us, founded on the truth of the freely given promise in Christ.

He highlights that faith is not merely an intellectual assent but involves trust in God's promises.

• William Barclay offers a more practical perspective, stating that faith is not only belief in the existence of God but also trust in His reliability, His word, and His promises.