Not a full definition of faith in its whole nature, but a description of its great characteristics in relation to the subject of Paul’s exhortation here, namely, to perseverance.

1. Faith. Gr. pistis, “trust,” “confidence,” “faith,” also “faithfulness,” “reliability.” The word pistis may denote either an attitude of mind or a pattern of conduct, faithful conduct being the product of an attitude of faith. The two shades of meaning are closely interwoven throughout the chapter, for in each instance of faith cited an attitude of faith led to faithful deeds. Emphasis is on faithful deeds.

Chapter 11 abundantly illustrates the principle more succinctly stated in ch. 10, especially vs. 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.”

This is not a theological definition of faith, but a picture of the practical outworking of it.

It substantiates promises of God which we hope for, as future in fulfilment, making them present realities to us.

In its essence faith is being sure (hypostasis, rendered “being” in reference to God in 1:3) … and certain (elenchos, from the verb elenchō, “to prove or convince”) about unseen hopes and realities.

Faith is also a way of viewing all experience since it is the way in which believers see the universe (tous aiōnas, lit., “the ages,” also rendered “the universe” in 1:2) for what it is—a creation by God.

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.

Substance means “essence” or “reality.” Faith treats things hoped for as reality.

‘assurance’ [LN (31.84); NASB, NRSV], ‘confident assurance’ [NAB], ‘confident assurance of the reality’ [Mil], ‘confident assurance that something is going to happen’ [NLT], ‘firm confidence’ [Lns], ‘trust’ [LN (31.84)], ‘certainty’ [HNTC], ‘substance’ [LN; KJV], ‘firm foundation’ [NIC], ‘essence, real being’ [LN (58.1)], ‘realization’ [BAGD].

The phrase ἔστιν πίστις ἐλπιζομένων ὑπόστασις ‘faith is the assurance/substance of things being hoped for’ is translated ‘if we have faith we are sure that our hopes are real’ [TNT], ‘in faith things hoped for become realized/reality’ [BAGD], ‘only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for’ [NJB].

This participle refers to the fulfillment of God’s promises [NCBC], the heavenly blessings as the objects of hope [WBC], all of mental and spiritual activity [Wst]. Lacking the definite article, this participle has a broad reference [NTC].

It is a description of what true faith does [Hwt, NIGTC], a statement of the nature of faith [Lg(K), Lns], a definition of one aspect of faith [My], a general statement about faith [TNTC]. It states some significant features of faith [EBC]. The introductory δέ is transitional [Lns, Mil, NIGTC, TH] and carries on the discussion of faith in 10:39 [WBC].

2. It has the objective sense of ‘substance’ [BAGD, EBC, GNC, Hu, Hwt, WBC, Wst; KJV, NJB, REB]: faith gives substance to the things that are hoped for. It expresses the tangible reality of future things even though material evidence is not yet present [EBC, WBC]. It indicates something underlying what is visible and guarantees future possession [Hu, Hwt].

evidence—“demonstration”: convincing proof to the believer: the soul thereby seeing what the eye cannot see.

things not seen—the whole invisible and spiritual world: not things future and things present, as the “things hoped for,” but also the past and present, and those the reverse of present.

Faith believes what it sees not; for if thou seest there is no faith; the Lord has gone away so as not to be seen: He is hidden that He may be believed; the yearning desire by faith after Him who is unseen is the preparation of a heavenly mansion for us; when He shall be seen it shall be given to us as the reward of faith [AUGUSTINE]

Faith is trust in the unseen. It is not trust in the unknown, for we may know by faith what we cannot see with the eye

Faith is the ultimate assurance and the ultimate evidence that things not seen are realities (pragmata). The continuity of men who have believed in things not seen, heroes of faith, is unbroken.

Faith is not abstract belief that evidence exists, but a settled assurance, based on confidence that God will fulfill His promises.

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 ch. 12:1).

“Faith” (11:1). While the object of faith by its very nature cannot be seen, the writer will go on to remind us that its presence has a vital impact on our lives and character. Real faith produces startling results.

Evidence means “proof” or “conviction.” Faith itself proves that what is unseen is real, such as the believer’s rewards at the return of Christ (

‘conviction’ [BAGD, Lns, NIC; NAB, NASB, NRSV], ‘conviction based on demonstration’ [Mil], ‘demonstration’ [WBC], ‘verification’ [LN], ‘evidence’ [LN; KJV, NLT], ‘proof’ [BAGD, LN], ‘proving’ [BAGD, HNTC]

This entire phrase is translated ‘we come to know that the unseen things really do exist’ [TNT].

A person with faith lets these unseen realities from God provide a living, effective power for daily life.