Hebrews 11:1-3
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 Meaning
Hebrews 11:1-3 is a powerful passage that speaks about faith. It tells us that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It emphasizes that through faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Hebrews 11:1-3 Commentary and Explanation
Hebrews 11:1-3 is a passage that holds profound significance for us as believers, offering a deep insight into the nature of faith and its connection to our understanding of God’s creation.
In the opening verse, we are reminded that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is not a mere intellectual exercise but a deeply rooted assurance and conviction in the unseen realities of God’s promises. It’s the unwavering trust in God’s faithfulness and the confident expectation of His fulfillment of those promises. We see this concept echoed in Romans 8:24-25, where it says that we hope for what we do not see, but with patience, we wait for it.
Moving on to verse 2, we are presented with the idea that “by faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” This verse emphasizes that our understanding of creation itself is rooted in faith. The act of creation, as described in Genesis 1, is a testament to God’s word being the catalyst for bringing the visible world into existence. This understanding of creation by faith is closely related to Psalm 33:6, which tells us that “by the word of the LORD the heavens were made.”
Verse 3 further elucidates the concept of faith by stating that “by faith, we understand that the world was created by the word of God.” This verse reinforces the notion that faith is the lens through which we perceive and comprehend the world around us. It highlights that the created order we observe is not a result of random chance or natural processes but was intentionally brought into existence by God’s spoken word. In Genesis 1:3, we see a direct correlation as God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light, affirming that His word is the creative force.
Hebrews 11:1-3 encourages us to embrace faith as the unwavering assurance of God’s promises, even though we may not see them with our physical eyes. It teaches us that faith extends beyond our spiritual lives and influences our understanding of the very creation we inhabit. We recognize that the visible world we see today was intentionally brought into existence by God’s spoken word, an idea that resonates throughout Scripture. Therefore, let us cultivate and strengthen our faith, for it is the key to comprehending both the spiritual and physical aspects of our existence, all rooted in the unchanging character and word of our Creator.
Also Read: James 5 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Hebrews 11:1-3
The book of Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and questioning their faith in Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews presents a strong case for the superiority of Christ over the Old Testament system of laws and sacrifices. In chapter 11, the author puts forward a list of Old Testament heroes who demonstrated great faith.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Hebrews 11:1-3
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”: Faith is not simply a blind belief, but rather a deep conviction and unwavering trust in God’s promises. It gives us hope for the future, even when we cannot see the fulfillment of those promises in the present.
“By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God.”: This emphasizes that faith is not just a religious concept, but a means through which we gain understanding. Our faith enables us to comprehend that God, through His spoken word, created everything we see.
“What is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”: This reminds us that God’s creative power and ability surpass our understanding. He made the visible world from things that are invisible to us. This challenges our limited perspective and encourages us to trust in God’s sovereignty.
Bible Study on Hebrews 11:1-3
In studying and applying these verses, we are reminded of the importance of faith in our lives as Christians. It is through faith that we receive salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our faith allows us to have a deep assurance and conviction in the promises of God, even when we do not see immediate fulfillment.
Additionally, these verses teach us that faith is not blind. It is grounded in the truth of God’s word and understanding of His character. As we grow in our knowledge of Scripture and our relationship with God, our faith will be strengthened.
Looking at the examples of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11, we see individuals like Abraham, Moses, and Rahab who trusted in God’s promises and acted upon their faith. Their stories serve as inspiration for us to exercise our faith in practical ways. We can learn from their obedience and willingness to step out in faith, even in the face of uncertainty.
Biblical Translations of Hebrews 11:1-3
Hebrews 11:1-3 King James Version (KJV)
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders obtained a good report. Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith, we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 English Standard Version (ESV)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it, the people of old received their commendation. By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it, the people of old received their commendation. By faith, we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 The Message (MSG)
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
Final Thoughts
Hebrews 11:1-3 holds profound truths about the nature of faith, its relationship to understanding, and the power of God’s creative ability. It calls us to have an unwavering conviction in the things we hope for, even though they may not be visible in our present circumstances. Our faith enables us to trust in God’s promises and believe that He is working behind the scenes.
Let us strive to cultivate and strengthen our faith, knowing that through it, we can understand and experience the incredible power and provision of our Heavenly Father. As we study the examples of faith mentioned throughout the Bible, may we be inspired to live out our faith in practical ways, trusting God wholeheartedly and relying on His guidance in our lives.