1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [11:2] For by it the ancients were commended. [11:3] By faith we understand that the ages were formed by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
HEB 11:1-3
Faith and Assurance
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, Jewish and Gentile listeners would have understood faith as a concept deeply rooted in both Jewish and Greco-Roman thought. For Jews, faith was tied to trust in God’s promises, exemplified by figures like Abraham and Moses, who were seen as models of fidelity. For Gentiles, particularly those influenced by Stoic or Platonic philosophy, faith could align with trust in a rational, ordered cosmos. The term (assurance) carried connotations of firmness or substance, suggesting that faith provides a tangible foundation for hope. (conviction) implied a tested and undeniable proof, not mere speculation. The reference to 'the ancients' would evoke the patriarchs and prophets, whose lives were seen as testimonies to God’s faithfulness. The idea of the ages being 'formed' by God’s word resonated with Jewish creation narratives and Stoic ideas of divine ordering.
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How other translations render this
HEB 11:1
- KJV
- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
- BSB
- Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.
- Koinōnos
- Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
HEB 11:2
- KJV
- For by it the elders obtained a good report.
- BSB
- This is why the ancients were commended.
- Koinōnos
- For by it the ancients were commended.
HEB 11:3
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- By faith we understand that the universe was formed at Godʼs command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
- Koinōnos
- By faith we understand that the ages were formed by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 11:1
- [the] assurance,:The word translated 'assurance' here carries the sense of a solid foundation or underlying reality, something that gives substance and confidence to what is hoped for.
- [the] conviction:The term used here for 'conviction' implies a proof or demonstration that brings about a strong persuasion, often through examination or refutation.
HEB 11:2
- were commended:The word translated 'were commended' means to bear witness or give a good report, indicating that these individuals received a positive testimony or affirmation.
HEB 11:3
- to have been formed:The word translated 'to have been formed' means to put in order, to equip, or to restore something to its proper condition, suggesting a deliberate and complete arrangement.