Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
• New International Version (NIV)Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Context of Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2For by this our ancestors were approved. 3By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Hebrews 11:1 word by word

Ἔστιν δὲ πίστις ἐλπιζομένων ὑπόστασις, πραγμάτων ἔλεγχος οὐ βλεπομένων.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• the substanceὑπόστασιςhupostasis · confidence/essenceG5287
• of things hoped forἐλπίζωelpizō · to hope/expectG1679
• the evidenceἔλεγχοςelegchos · rebukeG1650
• of thingsπρᾶγμαpragma · thingG4229
• notοὐou · noG3756
• seenβλέπωblepō · to seeG991

Cross-references for Hebrews 11:1

• Hebrews 11:13These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.
• Hebrews 10:22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.
• Acts 20:21I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.
• 1 Corinthians 13:13Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love — but the greatest of these is love.
• Galatians 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
• 1 Peter 1:7so that the proven character of your faith — more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
• 2 Peter 1:1Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
• Psalms 27:13I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
• Psalms 42:11Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.
• Hebrews 2:3how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
• Hebrews 3:14For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start.
• 2 Corinthians 9:4Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be put to shame in that situation.
• 2 Corinthians 11:17What I am saying in this matter of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but as it were, foolishly.
• Hebrews 6:12so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.
• Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
• Romans 8:24Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees?

Commentaries on Hebrews 11:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Faith is the substance of things hoped for - ̔· Faith is the Subsistence of things hoped for; · The Demonstration of things not seen. The word ̔, which we translate substance, signifies subsistence, that which becomes a foundation for another thing to stand on. And signifies such a conviction as is produced in the mind by the demonstration of a problem, after which demonstration no doubt can remain, because we see from it that the thing is; that it cannot…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for - On the general nature of faith, see the notes on Mark 16:16. The margin here is, “ground or confidence.” There is scarcely any verse of the New Testament more important than this, for it states what is the nature of all true faith, and is the only definition of it which is attempted in the Scriptures. Eternal life depends on the existence and exercise of faith Mark 16:16, and hence, the importance of an…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The nature and power of faith described. (1-3) It is set forth by instances from Abel to Noah. (4-7) By Abraham and his descendants. (8-19) By Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the Israelites, and Rahab. (20-31) By other Old Testament believers. (32-38) The better state of believers under the gospel. (39-40) Verses 1-3 Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Before sharing examples, the author explains faith: It means acting on what God has shown about his will and character. Our faith is based on the reality that God keeps his promises.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-40Examples from the Old Covenant for Our Perseverance in Faith. 1. Description of the great things which faith (in its widest sense: not here restricted to faith in the Gospel sense) does for us. Not a full definition of faith in its whole nature, but a description of its great characteristics in relation to the subject of Paul's exhortation here, namely, to perseverance. substance, &c.--It substantiates promises of God which we hope for, as future in…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 11:1

• Faith
• Hope

In the dictionaries

• Builder
• Conceive
• Confess
• Cruel
• Faith
• Impossible
• Proper
• Rewarder
• Trial
• Wander

Commentaries on Hebrews 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings