44 - Hebrews 11:1: Faith Defined

Hebrews 11:1

“Faith is the basis of our expectations, and the appropriation of unseen realities.”  
                                                          (paraphrased)         

Generic Faith
The words “faith” and “belief” are nearly synonymous. The Greek term pistis is the word most frequently used for faith. “Faith” is derived from the Latin word fides, the root of fidelity. It denotes a firm conviction, commitment, trust, belief and assurance. However, one cannot have faith in faith. Faith demands an object. Faith cannot exist alone: it must be connected to something in order to be operative. The true value of faith can only be determined by the credibility of the object upon which it is centered.

Faith is the demonstrable proof of invisible realities. As such, it does not always depend upon human logic. However, faith is not a dream, wild imagination, fantasy, speculation, mind over matter, blind trust, mental assent, presumption or wishful thinking. Faith always anticipates and exercises confidence in something. For example, only if you believe Chicago exists would you endeavor to go there. Your travel plans are based on faith in the existence of Chicago. Your expectations concerning the reality of the city are founded upon faith. By faith, the farmer expects a harvest and the worker his paycheck. We believe the sun will rise tomorrow. A parent expects his boy will grow into a man. Such day-by-day expectations rest on simple faith.

Faith is further defined by the following illustration. When a father makes a promise to his son, the boy can govern his actions as if the promise was already fulfilled. His faith in his father is more conclusive evidence than logic or reason. In a similar way, we cannot see God, heaven, angels or the things of eternity. However, our faith causes us to act as if we see them. Faith gives us access to an unseen world. The clearer these things become, the more they influence our thoughts and actions. By faith, they almost materialize before us. Faith apprehends as fact the realities our hopes support. Faith acts as if the intangible is tangible, bridging the gap between shadow and substance. Faith grows until expectation becomes experience. In the end, faith is understood and interpreted only through experiential knowledge.

Saving Faith
While our senses can deceive us, God cannot (Titus 1:2). Faith sees He who is invisible (Heb. 11:27). Faith that saves is founded upon a lifelong commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord. Such faith necessarily involves repentance and reliance upon His atoning blood to remove sin, coupled with continual obedience to His commands. Only as we are justified by faith in Christ can we enjoy peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Peter tells us that the end result of our faith is the salvation of our souls (I Pet. 1:9). Saving faith is not adherence to a creed, but loyalty to a Person. The effects of faith are not produced by the one who has faith, but are derived from the One in whom faith is placed. The question is not, “In what do we believe,” but rather, “In whom do we believe?” Confidence in what someone claims to be the truth can inspire faith. But one may have sincere faith in a certain doctrine, and be sincerely wrong. Faith can be misplaced. Satan prompted faith in Adam and Eve by masking the truth. Faith in Satan’s words initiated their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. But entrance into the Kingdom of God depends upon faith in the King.

The skeptic says, “Seeing is believing.” The Christian says, “Believing is seeing.” Faith sees through spiritual eyes what cannot be perceived by our physical eyes. Lacking spiritual eyesight, the unsaved person has no means of understanding the world from God’s perspective. To have proactive confidence in God and in His Son is to enjoy a refuge and security unknown to those who do not know Him. Biblical faith is not a change of attitude or lifestyle, but rests on the firm foundation of the pragmatic truth of God’s Word. For example:

<> Jesus is the Author of our faith (Heb. 12:2).
<> We are justified by faith (Gal. 2:16).
<> Jesus dwells within us by faith (Eph. 3:12).
<> Our sanctification is by faith (Acts 26:18).
<> We wear the breastplate of faith (I Thess. 5:8).
<> The Lord can increase our faith (Lk. 17:5).
<> We walk by faith (II Cor. 5:7).
<> We establish ourselves in the faith (Col. 2:7).
<> Christians are unified by faith (Eph. 4:13).
<> We should pray in faith (Jas. 1:6).
<> Miracles are based on faith (Mt. 9:22).
<> We must keep our faith (II Tim .4:7).
<> Trials and tests result from faith (I Pet. 1:7).
<> Believers are victorious by faith (I Jn. 5:4).

Faith is that spiritual faculty by which the soul contacts God’s domain. The hope of eternal life motivates us to draw close to God. Faith reveals to us the realities “within the veil” (Heb. 6:19). Faith feeds the soul’s tabernacle lamp with the oil of hope. Faith enables us to praise God for future blessings as if we already possessed them. Through faith, God’s truth becomes operational in the soul. Faith is the hand that grasps those things that can only be “spiritually discerned” (I Cor. 2:14). Faith is to the soul what the five senses are to the body, sensing spiritual realities.

v. 1
By the time the book of Hebrews was written, first-century Judaism had digressed into a self-saving, self-glorifying religion. Because most Jews equated righteousness with works, it was essential the writer address the issue of faith. Because his readers were suffering persecution, some were tempted to apostatize. The only safeguard against this was to help increase their faith in God.

This unique verse has been defined and paraphrased in numerous ways:

Faith is the inner-conviction of things hoped for, and the irrefutable proof of things not seen.
Faith is the firm expectation of our desires, and allows us to truly possess them.
Faith is the substantiation of our hopes, and appropriates for us what we cannot see.
Faith is the title deed of things we yearn for, and the acquisition of things not yet seen.
Faith is the certitude of what we hope for, and the conviction of their actuality.
Faith is the realization of things hoped for, and the certainty those things are obtainable.
Faith is the essence of what we long for, and the manifestation of their existence. 
Faith substantiates the things we anticipate, making real what is otherwise imperceptible.
Faith is the confident assurance of our hopes, and the eyes through which such things are seen.

“Faith” (pistis) is found twenty-four times in this chapter. The word “is” is emphatic. Faith is the foundation of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen. Because faith must have a firm basis, it is deemed a “substance” (hupostasis). This word refers to that which stands under something in order to bear its weight. The writer has already used this term twice:

<> The Son is said to be the hypostasis (image) of God (1:3).
<> We must hold our hupostasis (confidence) firm unto the end (3:14).

The term can be defined as a “title deed” to property, providing evidence of ownership. It also connotes steadiness of mind, firm resolution, or trust. Faith gives reality to the things we hope for, allowing Believers to advance spiritually.

Whatever may be the focus of our hope, it is only by faith we can claim it. Though hope and faith are closely elated, they are not the same thing. Faith activates hope, but faith is more than hope - it is assurance. Faith and hope are not sisters: faith is the parent of hope. Hope is the result of faith. Faith is the foundation upon which hope rests. Faith bridges the gap between the tangible present and the unseen future (Rom. 8:24).

“Evidence” (elegchos) means assurance, proof, certification or demonstration. It is that by which invisible things are put to the test and their reality verified. Once something is proven, it becomes a conviction. Faith rests on such evidence. Faith has the ability to fully appropriate that which is imperceptible. As faith in Christ matures, unseen things are not viewed as probable, but factual. Faith is the assurance our invisible hopes will manifest into visible realities.
                         
The readers are reminded of Habakkuk’s prophecy concerning the just man who lives by faith (10:38). Saints throughout Jewish history are listed who best illustrate this principle. Faith is heralded as the secret of their perseverance. “The Faith Chapter” or “The Hall of Faith” seems to naturally flow from the warning concerning “drawing back” (10:39). By naming national heroes, the writer hopes to inspire others to persist in faith by emulating them. This chapter presents a group portrait of faithful men and women. Although it is a painting yet to be completed (11:40), the examples given are sufficient to present a picture of what faith looks like.

The writer does for the topic of faith what Paul does for the topic of love (I Cor. 13). He does not categorically state what faith is, but demonstrates what faith does. Whereas the first verse describes faith, the rest of the chapter illustrates it. The writer does not define faith, but rather shows how it operates. Although this is the only verse in the Bible that helps to explain faith, it is actually more a description of its effects. Sincere faith characterizes Believers in every age. 

QUESTIONS: FAITH DEFINED

Hebrews 11:1

1. What is referred to as “a shield” in Ephesians 6:16?

2. What did Jesus call “great” in Matthew 15:28?

3. Who did Jesus praise for his faith in Mark 10:52?

4. Who did Jesus praise for his faith in Luke 17:19?

5. Faith is the “evidence” of things hoped for. The word “evidence” means:
A. assurance
B. proof
C. certification
D. demonstration
E. all of the above

6. According to Romans 10:17, what helps to increase our faith?

7. What else helps us to increase our faith? (Jude 20). Discuss the importance of this with your spouse.

8. According to James 2:17, 20 & 27, what must accompany our faith?

9. What type of prayer heals the sick?  (James 5:5)

10. Read Romans 4:5-20 concerning faith and discuss this passage with your mate.