Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:3

Verse 3 3.Through, or by, faith we understand, (205) etc. This is a most striking proof of the last verse; for we differ nothing from the brute creation, if we understand not that the world has been created by God. To what end have men been endued with understanding and reason, except that they might acknowledge their Creator? But it is by faith alone we know that it was God who created the world. No wonder then that faith shone forth in the fathers above all other virtues. But it may be here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. On the senses in which the word ὑπόστασις (translated "substance") may be used, see under Hebrews 1:2 . As to the sense intended here, views differ. There are three possible ones, expressed in the text and margin of the A.V., substance, ground, and confidence. The first is understood by the Fathers generally, the idea being supposed to be that, inasmuch as things not yet experienced, but only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1

The nature of faith. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, " etc. This is not a definition or description of what is called, in theological phrase, saving faith. It does not set forth faith in Jesus Christ in particular, but faith in its general meaning and its comprehensive exercise. The text teaches us that— I. FAITH IS THE DEMONSTRATION OF INVISIBLE REALITIES . It is "the evidence of things not seen;" Revised Version, "the proving of things not seen."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1

Faith in its relation to the future and the unseen. I. FAITH IN ITS RELATION TO THE FUTURE . 1. Nothing is more to be desired than a hopeful outlook towards the future. The future may be regarded doubtfully, fearfully, or even despairingly; on the other hand the question rises if it be not possible to regard the future with a hope which shall become a duty. Doubtless there are many who do look hopefully forward, but they are hopeful simply because of a disposition... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-3

The nature and power of faith. In the close of the previous chapter, the apostle has spoken of faith as the principle of spiritual life, and the spring of patient endurance. He has quoted a great saying from Habakkuk, "The just shall live by faith;" and he now proceeds to vindicate its truth in a series of brilliant biographical illustrations. First of all, however, the apostle supplies a theoretic definition or description of saving faith. I. THE NATURE OF FAITH . (Verse 1)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:2

For in this ( i.e. faith, ἐν ταύτῃ ) the elders obtained a good report ; literally were witnessed of ; i.e. it was in respect of their faith, which inspired their deeds, that they were praised. (For a similar use of the preposition ἐν , cf. 1 Corinthians 11:22 , ἐπαινέσω ἐν , τούτῳ ). Thus is introduced the illustrative review of Old Testament instances, the purpose of which has been explained above. It begins from the beginning, Abel being the first example. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:2

The great characteristic of the elders. I. THE TERM BY WHICH THEY ARE INDICATED . The elders. Those spoken of are these who had lived the life of the flesh centuries before, but the term is not used merely to indicate this fact. We know from the subsequent illustrations that the men of long ago are meant; but there is a much more comprehensive meaning in their being spoken of as πρεσβύτεροι . πρεσβύτερος is a relative word, its correlative being νεώτερος (see 1... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:3

By faith we perceive that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen (or, that which is seen ) have (or, has ) not been made of things which do appear. "By the word of God" has reference to "and God said," of Genesis 1:1-31 ., which chapter enunciates the primary article of all definite religions faith, viz. the existence and operation of God, as the unseen Author of the visible universe. Even without a revelation to declare this, faith's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:3

The creation of the visible universe. "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed," etc. The text suggests: 1. That God existed before the visible universe. As the architect must have lived before the edifice which he designed was built, so he who designed and "built all things" existed before any of his creations. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world," etc. 2. That God ' s existence is distinct from and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:3

Faith beginning where science ends. In the first verse of the chapter things not seen are spoken of. Faith is the evidence of these things not seen. There can be no other evidence, for things not seen are eternal; they are beyond the ken of our senses; if we cannot be certified of them by spiritual intuitions, we cannot be certified of them at all ( 2 Corinthians 4:18 ). But the things that are seen have also to be dealt with; we want to know the connection of the seen with the unseen;... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:3

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