Hebrews 11:1

Chapter 11 abundantly illustrates the principle more succinctly stated in chapter 10, especially verses 35-39, that faith and faithfulness are the supreme need of those who await the coming of the Lord. There is danger that some will cast away their confidence because the Lord appears to delay His coming. All such “have need of patience” in order that they may “live by faith.” To a man, the worthies here listed “received not the promise” (chapter 11:39) — but only saw it “afar off” (verse 13). Nevertheless “these all, ... obtained a good report through faith.” But now, in only “a little while, ... he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (chapter 10:37). If the worthies of ages past were so fully “persuaded” (chapter 11:13) of the promises, “afar off” though they were from their fulfillment, should not we, who are to see them fulfilled in “a little while,” be patient and faithful also?

Substance. Greek hupostasis, “substantial nature,” “essence,” “actual being,” “reality,” and in an extended sense, as here, “confident assurance.” Compare the word arrabôn, “earnest” (see on 2 Corinthians 1:22). There is no such thing as blind faith. Genuine faith always rests upon the firm, underlying “substance” of sufficient evidence to warrant confidence in what is not yet seen. Hupostasis is used in the ancient papyri of the legal documents by which a person proved his ownership of property. The documents were not the property, but they provided evidence of its existence and of his right to it. Accordingly, hupostasis might here be rendered “title-deed” — “Faith is the title-deed ...”

By faith the Christian considers himself already in possession of what has been promised him. His utter confidence in the One who has made the promises leaves no uncertainty as to their fulfillment in due time. Faith thus enables a Christian not only to lay claim to promised blessings but to receive and to enjoy them now. Thus, the promised inheritance becomes a present possession. The good things to come are no longer only dreams to be fulfilled in the future, but living realities in the present. To the eye of faith what is otherwise invisible becomes visible.

Things hoped for. That is, the promised inheritance into which the saints are to enter at the coming of Christ.

Evidence. Greek elegchos, here meaning “proof,” “conviction.” Faith is not abstract belief that evidence exists, but a settled assurance, based on confidence that God will fulfill His promises. We may never have seen the generator that produces the electricity we use in our homes, but we rightly consider the presence of the electricity sufficient evidence of the existence of the generator. Similarly, we believe that our physical, mental, and spiritual energy testify to the existence of a supernatural Source of life and power. On the other hand, faith is not to be confused with credulity, for faith is reinforced, to a degree, by evidence (see on chapter 12:1).

Things not seen. These are the “things hoped for,” the promised inheritance.