Meaning, commentary and cross references
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
NIV · New International Version
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
WEB · World English Bible
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
What does Hebrews 11:1 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,.... The "faith" here spoken of is not a mere moral virtue, which is a branch of the law; nor a bare assent to anything revealed, declared, and affirmed in the Gospel; nor a faith of doing miracles; nor an implicit one; nor a mere profession of faith, which sometimes is but temporary; nor the word or doctrine of faith; but that which is made mention of in the preceding chapter, by which the just man lives, and which has the salvation of the soul annexed to it: and it does not so much design any particular branch, or act of faith, but as that in general respects the various promises, and blessings of grace; and it chiefly regards the faith of…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Hebrews 11:1–3
It is the substance of things hoped for. Faith and hope go together; and the same things that are the object of our hope are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation that God will perform all that he has promised to us in Christ; and this persuasion is so strong that it gives the soul a kind of possession and present fruition of those things, gives them a subsistence in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them: so that believers in the exercise of faith are filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Christ dwells in the soul by faith, and the soul is filled with the fullness of God, as far as his present measure will admit; he experiences a…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Hebrews 11:1
1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 1. Porro fides est rerum sperandarum substantia, demonstratio eorum quae non videntur. 1. Now faith, etc.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Hebrews 11:1–4 (WEB)
1Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. 2For by this, the elders obtained approval. 3By faith we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible. 4By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.
Cross references
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
- 2 Corinthians 4:18
while we don’t look 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 8:24–25
For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?
- Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
- Hebrews 10:22
let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water,
- 1 Peter 1:7–8
that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
- Psalms 27:13
- Hebrews 11:27
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.