Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
King James Version
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
New International Version
Faith & Trust
The author of Hebrews (assumed to be Paul the Apostle but no one knows for sure) opens chapter 11 by defining faith. This succinct and memorable verse has been praised as one of the best definitions of faith found in Scripture.
Faith is first described as being “confidence in what we hope for.” Biblical hope is not wishful thinking but a sure expectation based on God’s promises. Faith means clinging to and trusting in those promises, even before they come to pass. It’s a firm certainty and conviction in the truth of God’s Word.
Faith is also having “assurance about what we do not see.” It believes in realities that are presently unseen and not yet experienced. The visible, physical world is not all there is. Faith perceives spiritual, eternal truths even though they are invisible to the eye.
In other words, faith relies not on what is evident to the senses, but on the God who sustains His creation and fulfills what He declares.
The rest of Hebrews 11 offers concrete examples of faith from saints of old. They trusted God’s words concerning a promised land, offspring, resurrection, and more that they had not yet seen. Their faith in God’s character and promises allowed them to persevere.
In summary, this verse defines faith as complete confidence and assurance in God and the eternal realities promised in His Word. It is belief in spite of not yet seeing or experiencing the full fruition of God’s words. This faith remains unshakeable.
