Hebrews 11:1 Faith

by GAT, written 03/22/23 updated 09/23/2025

But faith is [the] underlying basis of [things] being hoped upon, evidence of matters not having been seen.

But - δέ conjunctive particle: but, on the contrary, and, also; continuative here from the faith mentioned in Heb 10:39. We are not of those who second guess our faith, or turn away from the One who saved us in the face of opposition or trials. But we press on continuing to grow in the faith, knowing the Lord more with each trial and experience. We have called upon the Lord by Name, and we call upon Him still; to acknowledge His preservation, to praise and revere Him and for help in time of need.

faith - πίστις nominative singular/feminine: subjectively a belief, firm persuasion, a conviction. The Old Testament elders believed God for things coming yet unseen, for which they obtained His testimony of them (Heb 11:2), ages to come and promises that they did not experience but hoped for (Heb 11:13). The gospel is believed by faith (Heb 4:2) toward God (Heb 6:1). Remember the faith first placed in God when you first trusted in Him for forgiveness and eternal life. He has not disappointed us. Faith lays hold of God's promises (Heb 6:12). He has known us by name and we have found favor in His sight. Our redemption draws near; we will be raised on that day. The righteous live or experience life by faith (Heb 10:38), knowing to whom we belong, that God is for us. We walk about knowing that He keeps those whom He loves. He has given us His own Holy Spirit as an assurance, as a deposit for the good things to come. Our faith remains in Him toward the preservation of the soul (Heb 10:39). Faith is pleasing to God, what we must have as we approach Him (Heb 11:6; see Heb 10:22). The one believeing in God gains His approval, His testimony of knowing them (Heb 11:39).

is - εστιν present/active/indicative: to be, to exist, state of being.

[the] underlying-basis - ὑπόστασις nominative singular/feminine: what stands under as the basis, a substructure or foundation; abstractly the substance that underlies the apparent, the assurance or ground of confidence. Christ is the exact representation of God's essence (Heb 1:3; Christ Himself being Elohiym as in Heb 1:8, ref. Ps 45:6), who is the object of our faith and beginning or our assurance (Heb 3:14), the Faithful One in Whom God is well pleased and in Whom we are. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone upon which we are pillars firmly set, a holy habitation of the Lord, a mansion with many rooms in which God dwells and to which He is adding. "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain" (Psa 2:6).

of [things] being hoped upon - ἐλπιζομένων present/passive/participle genitive plural/masculine: to hope, confide or wait expectantly; hope implies an anticipation. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Heb 10:23). Christ remains our hope (Heb 3:6, 6:11), our high priest whom God has installed on His throne (Heb 6:18), and who will return again to resurrect believers, a promise worthy of our hope because God and His purpose is unchangeable. We have become His children. Even now we are new creatures in Christ, of God's household, sons awaiting the redemption of our bodies. We are seeking a dwelling place above, one that along with all the saints will come at Christ's appearing. In the same way the Old Testament believers were looking forward to the Messiah and His Kingdom, so we also await with surity and confidence and enduring expectation for His Second Coming. And with such a cloud of witnesses and martyrs surrounding us, cheering us on toward the upward call of Christ.

evidence - ἔλεγχος nominative singular/masculine: proof or evidence leading to a conviction, here the only use in the NT; here as evidence, as God has sent His Son according to His own righteousness, and has raised Jesus Christ from the dead demonstrating Jesus' righteousness. "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Rom 8:11). A new and better covenant is in place, death is conquered, remission for sin has been accomplished, propitiation is made, grace and peace to as many as will believe.

God and His word testify of Christ (Heb 2:4, 4:12). "The Holy Spirit says, 'Today if you hear His voice' " (Heb 3:7), "The Holy Spirit is signifying" (Heb 9:8) and "the Holy Spirit also testifies to us" (Heb 10:15). The evidence is credible as coming from multiple sources: Father, Son and Spirit; OT and NT prophets, eye witnesses and apostles (Heb 2:3, 12:1).

The verb form for 'evidence' elsewhere means to reprove or convict, and in used in Heb 12:5, "... nor faint when you are reproved by Him." God reproves and disciplines whom He loves so that we might endure the working out of our salvation, maturing and perfecting our hearts and minds as we grow in a knowledge of Him. God is true. He is faithful to bring about His promises, but along the way teaching patience and perseverence. It is in the process of living out here and overcoming tribulations that we gain knowledge of Him and His ways, a knowing upon knowing, faith towards a strengthened and proven faith. And on that day when we see Him face to face ...

of matters - πραγμάτων genitive plural/neuter: the result from practice, work or performance; the resulting matter, deed or accomplishment. God has sent His Son, Who was crucified, buried, raised from the dead and has ascended to heaven at God's right hand. He is coming again with surety as God has promised, and we will be raised from the dead at His coming. Jesus, the faithful and righteous One, is the subject and assurance of our hope. Our God reigns and we are His children.

not - οὐ negative particle: absolute negative, no, not.

having-been-seen. - βλεπομένων present/passive/participle genitive plural/neuter: to look at, see or observe; abstractly to perceive or discern what is observed, to focus the mind or attention upon something. Jesus and the day of His return are perceived (Heb 2:9, 10:25), Whom and what we hope for. And so the Lord asks us to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting Him, seeking His ways, leaning not on our own understanding. "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (1Cor 13:12).