Bereansearching Bible Studies

Hebrews 11:1, “¶Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

This is one of this teacher’s favorite verses in the King James Version of the Bible, because it is so eloquently presents a complex spiritual thought into one short and succinct verse. No other English translation can do justice to the verse that this translation affords. 

The word for “substance” is translated from the original Greek word, ὑπόστασις (hypostasis)^G5287, which also means “basis”, “foundation”, or “essence” , but also “person” when pertaining to Jesus as we read in Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person (ὑπόστασις (hypostasis))^G5287, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;“

And we know for certain that Jesus Christ Is The Chief Foundation Stone of our faith as we read in Ephesians 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone;“ and 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” and 1 Peter 2:6, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” And this is the scripture reference that the Apostles Paul and Peter were referring to: Isaiah 28:16, “¶Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner[stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.“

And let us not forget Romans 9:32, where the Apostle Paul explains the problem with the Jews who believed that they were saved by the works of the law, and not having faith in God (Jesus) as their Savior. “Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

So then we could also read Hebrews 11:1 as saying: “¶Now faith is the “Person/Foundation” (hence Jesus) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

And using the logic of transitivity (whereby if a relation holds between a first element and a second and between the second element and a third, it also holds between the first and third elements), then we can say that if “faith” is the same as the word translated in this verse as “substance”, and the word “substance” represents “The Person of Jesus”, then “faith” is also the embodiment of Jesus. Faith=Jesus!

Some other verses that help to expound on Hebrews 11:1 can be found in:

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 ὑπομονή (hypomonē)^G5281 wait for [it].”

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.“

Nonetheless, God’s Glory and power are still manifest in this creation, which is clearly visible to all mankind, as we read in Romans 1:19&20, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:“

But for the believer, we know this to be true as well… Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.“

NOTE to reader: A full exposition of the entire Hebrews Chapter 11 coming soon, the Lord Willing.

This entry was posted on February 15, 2024 at 2:34 pm and is filed under Bible Studies. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.