Hebrews 11:1

KJV

¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} faith {G4102} is {G2076} the substance {G5287} of things hoped for {G1679}, the evidence {G1650} of things {G4229} not {G3756} seen {G991}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see.

Berean Standard Bible

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.

American Standard Version

Now faith is assurance ofthingshoped for, a conviction of things not seen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 11:1 provides a foundational and profound definition of faith, presenting it not as mere intellectual assent or wishful thinking, but as the very essence and assurance of future realities promised by God, and the undeniable proof of unseen spiritual truths. This verse serves as the interpretive lens through which the subsequent "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11 is understood, demonstrating how biblical heroes lived by a confident conviction in God's invisible promises and realities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This seminal verse immediately follows a powerful exhortation in [Hebrews 10](/hebrews/10 "Hebrews 10 - Perseverance and Warning") for believers not to "shrink back" but to persevere in their faith, holding fast to the confession of their hope without wavering ([Hebrews 10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "Hebrews 10:23 - Hold Fast to Hope")). The author has just warned against deliberate sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth ([Hebrews 10:26](/hebrews/10-26 "Hebrews 10:26 - Warning Against Willful Sin")) and reminded them of the severe judgment for those who reject Christ. He then encourages them to recall their past endurance in suffering, emphasizing that they "have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised" ([Hebrews 10:36](/hebrews/10-36 "Hebrews 10:36 - Need for Endurance")). [Hebrews 10:39](/hebrews/10-39 "Hebrews 10:39 - Not of Those Who Shrink Back") concludes with the affirmation that "we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." Hebrews 11:1 then directly answers the question of what this preserving, enduring faith truly is, setting the stage for a grand historical exposition of its nature through the lives of Old Testament figures.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians, likely in Rome or Italy, who were experiencing intense persecution and social pressure. They faced the temptation to abandon their Christian confession and revert to the perceived safety and familiarity of Judaism, with its established rituals, temple worship, and social acceptance. The author's primary aim throughout the epistle is to demonstrate the absolute superiority of Christ and the New Covenant over the Old Testament Law, its priesthood, and its sacrificial system. He argues that turning back would mean rejecting a greater reality for a shadow, a perfect sacrifice for imperfect ones. In this context, the definition of faith in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - Definition of Faith") is not an abstract theological statement but a vital, practical truth designed to bolster their resolve. It encourages them to trust in unseen spiritual realities and future promises of God, rather than succumbing to the visible pressures and temptations of their present circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Hebrews and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Supremacy of Christ** by implying that the "things hoped for" and "things not seen" are ultimately realized and revealed in Him. Secondly, it elaborates on the theme of **Perseverance and Endurance**, which is crucial throughout the letter, by defining the very quality that enables believers to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" ([Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - Running the Race with Endurance")). Thirdly, it highlights the **Nature of the New Covenant**, which is founded on better promises and a spiritual reality that transcends the physical and temporal aspects of the Old Covenant. Finally, it introduces the profound theme of **Living by Faith**, which is then extensively illustrated by the examples of Old Testament saints who, by faith, acted upon God's promises even when their fulfillment was distant or invisible, as seen in the examples of Abraham's journey ([Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8-10 "Hebrews 11:8-10 - Abraham's Faith")) and Moses' choice ([Hebrews 11:24-27](/hebrews/11-24-27 "Hebrews 11:24-27 - Moses' Faith")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** From *peíthō*, meaning persuasion or credence. This term signifies moral conviction of religious truth, reliance upon Christ for salvation, and constancy in such profession. It is not merely intellectual agreement but a deep, abiding trust and assurance in God and His promises. In this verse, it is presented as an active, living principle that shapes one's reality.
* **substance (Greek, _hypóstasis'_):** From a compound of *hypó* (under) and *hístēmi* (to stand). This word denotes a "setting under," implying support, foundation, or concrete reality. Figuratively, it means assurance or confidence. Here, faith is the underlying reality or the "title deed" that gives tangible existence to things that are yet only hoped for. It transforms future hope into a present, firm foundation.
* **evidence (Greek, _élenchos'_):** From *elégchō*, meaning to convict or prove. This term signifies proof, conviction, or demonstration. Faith provides the internal, irrefutable conviction and assurance of spiritual realities that are not perceptible by the physical senses. It is the spiritual "proof" that makes the unseen real and compelling to the believer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for":** This clause defines faith as the very essence or concrete reality of those things that are presently only anticipated. It means that faith gives a firm, tangible foundation to future promises and blessings from God, making them real and substantial in the present experience of the believer, even before their physical manifestation. It is the assurance that what God has promised will indeed come to pass.
* **"the evidence of things not seen":** This clause further clarifies faith as the proof or conviction concerning invisible spiritual realities. It implies that faith provides an internal, undeniable certainty about truths that are beyond the scope of human sight or empirical verification, such as God's existence, His character, His divine plan, and the spiritual kingdom. This internal conviction is so strong that it functions as irrefutable proof, allowing believers to live confidently in light of these unseen realities.

#### Literary Devices
Hebrews 11:1 is a masterful example of **Definition**, providing a concise yet profound explanation of faith. The verse employs **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("the evidence of things not seen") reiterates and expands upon the meaning of the first ("the substance of things hoped for"). Both clauses describe faith as a bridge between the present and the future, the visible and the invisible. Furthermore, the use of "substance" and "evidence" can be seen as **Metaphorical**, portraying faith as a tangible, foundational element and an undeniable proof, even though faith itself is an abstract concept. This makes the abstract concept of faith concrete and actionable for the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 11:1 encapsulates a profound theological truth: true biblical faith is not a blind leap into the dark, but a confident grasp of unseen realities and future promises based on the trustworthy character of God. It is a spiritual faculty that perceives and appropriates what is not yet physically present. This understanding of faith is critical for Christian living, as it empowers believers to live in light of God's eternal purposes rather than being swayed by temporal circumstances. It grounds hope in certainty and provides internal conviction for truths that transcend human comprehension, enabling perseverance in the face of doubt and adversity.

* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing"): "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
* [2 Corinthians 5:7](/2_corinthians/5-7 "2 Corinthians 5:7 - Walking by Faith, Not by Sight"): "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"
* [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works is Dead"): "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 11:1 challenges us to examine the nature of our own faith. Is our faith merely intellectual assent, or is it a living, active "substance" and "evidence" in our lives? This verse calls us to cultivate a deep, unwavering trust in God's promises, even when their fulfillment seems distant or impossible, and to live with an inner conviction about spiritual realities that are beyond our physical senses. In a world that often demands tangible proof and immediate gratification, this verse reminds us that the most profound truths are often unseen, apprehended only by faith. It encourages us to anchor our lives not in fleeting circumstances, but in the eternal, unchanging character and promises of God, allowing this unseen reality to shape our daily decisions, give us peace in uncertainty, and empower us to persevere through trials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to live by faith in "things hoped for" or "things not seen"?**
* **How does understanding faith as "substance" and "evidence" change your perspective on God's promises and His invisible kingdom?**
* **What practical steps can you take to strengthen your "inner conviction" concerning spiritual truths that are not physically perceptible?**

### FAQ
**Is faith just wishful thinking or optimism?**

Answer: No, Hebrews 11:1 clearly distinguishes biblical faith from mere wishful thinking or optimism. Wishful thinking is a desire for something to happen without a firm basis, often detached from reality. Optimism is a positive outlook, but it can be based on circumstances or temperament. Biblical faith, as defined here, is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Greek word for "substance" (*hypóstasis*) implies a firm foundation, a concrete reality, or a title deed to what is hoped for. The word for "evidence" (*élenchos*) denotes proof or conviction. This means faith is not a groundless hope but a confident assurance rooted in the trustworthiness of God and His revealed Word. It is a spiritual perception and conviction that makes unseen realities more real than what is physically observed, providing a solid basis for action and endurance, as demonstrated throughout [Hebrews 11](/hebrews/11 "Hebrews 11 - The Hall of Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 11:1 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the very "substance" of all that was hoped for in the Old Testament, the promised Messiah in whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")). The "things hoped for" by the patriarchs and prophets—a better country, a heavenly city, an eternal inheritance—are realized in Christ's atoning work, His resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of God ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - Abraham's Hope for a City"); [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus")). He is also the ultimate "evidence" of "things not seen." While we do not physically see God the Father, Christ is the "exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Son's Radiance")), the visible manifestation of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")). Our faith in Him allows us to apprehend the spiritual realities of His kingdom, His ongoing intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")), and His future return ([John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus Promises to Return")), even though these are not yet physically manifest. Thus, Christ is not only the object of our faith but also the very ground and proof of the unseen realities that faith embraces.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 5:7

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2 Corinthians 4:18

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.

Romans 8:24

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?

Romans 8:25

But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].

Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Hebrews 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

1 Peter 1:7

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: