Bible Verse

Hebrews 11:1

The author of Hebrews is encouraging Jewish Christians who are facing persecution and considering returning to Judaism to persevere in faith.

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

— Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

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Other Translations

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

— ESV

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

— KJV

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see."

— NLT

Understanding the Context

Book Context

Hebrews 11, the 'Hall of Faith,' defines faith and then illustrates it through Old Testament examples. Chapter 10 urged readers to persevere; chapter 11 shows what that looks like through faithful saints.

Historical Background

Written around 60-69 AD to Jewish Christians facing increasing persecution. They needed encouragement to maintain faith in Christ despite not seeing immediate deliverance.

Verse-by-Verse Breakdown

"Now faith is confidence"

'Confidence' (Greek: hypostasis) can mean substance, foundation, or assurance. Faith provides a solid foundation for our hope. It's not wishful thinking but firm conviction based on God's character and promises.

"in what we hope for"

Christian hope isn't vague optimism but confident expectation based on God's promises. Faith gives substance to future realities like resurrection, heaven, and Christ's return that we haven't yet experienced.

"and assurance about what we do not see"

'Assurance' (Greek: elegchos) means proof, conviction, evidence. Faith is the evidence that convinces us of spiritual realities we can't physically see—God, heaven, angels, spiritual warfare.

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Faith isn't blind or irrational. It's reasoned trust in God based on His revealed character and past faithfulness. It enables us to live now in light of unseen eternal realities.

Key Themes

Nature of faithTrust in the unseenHope in God's promisesSpiritual visionConfidence in God

Applying This Verse to Your Life

  1. 1

    Trust God's promises even when you can't see how they'll be fulfilled.

  2. 2

    Make decisions based on eternal realities, not just what's visible and immediate.

  3. 3

    Strengthen your faith by studying God's character and past faithfulness in Scripture.

  4. 4

    Persevere in difficult circumstances by keeping your eyes on unseen eternal rewards.

  5. 5

    Encourage others to maintain faith when God's promises seem delayed.

Questions for Reflection

  • What promises of God are you trusting in right now that require faith in the unseen?
  • How strong is your confidence in future realities like heaven and resurrection?
  • Are you making decisions based on visible circumstances or invisible spiritual realities?
  • What would deepen your assurance about what you cannot yet see?

Related Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:7

"For we live by faith, not by sight."

Romans 8:24-25

"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?"

1 Peter 1:8-9

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him."

Hebrews 11:6

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists."

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