Hebrews 11:3 NIV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:3

Hebrews 11:3. Through faith we understand that the worlds Although the expression, τους αιωνας , generally signifies the ages, yet here the subsequent clause determines its signification to the material fabric of the world, comprehending the sun, moon, and stars, &c., (called by Moses the heaven and the earth, Genesis 1:1,) by whose duration and revolutions time, consisting of days, months, years, and ages, is measured; were framed Formed, fashioned, and finished, as the word... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-22

Examples of true faith (11:1-22)In the previous chapter the writer asserted that people must join faith to perseverance if they are to enjoy the thing hoped for. He now supports this statement with illustrations from the Old Testament. If people have faith, it means they believe that things hoped for according to God’s promises will be achieved and that unseen powers of God are real. Those with faith look beyond what they see. They know that they cannot explain the existence of the world solely... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 11:3

worlds = ages. Greek. aion . App-129 . framed = prepared, as Hebrews 10:5 . Greek. katartizo . App-125 . word . Greek. rhema. See Mark 9:32 . God . App-98 . so = to (Greek. eis) the end. were . . . made = came into being. Greek. ginomai, to become. appear . Greek. phaino. App-106 . The reference is not to creation, but to the ordering by God of the dispensations, each of which succeeded but did not spring from its predecessor as a plant does from its seed. By rendering aionas as... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Hebrews 11:3

By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear.As was noted by Barmby,Commentators who perceive here a reference either to the formless void (Genesis 1:2) out of which the present creation was evolved, or a reference to the Platonic conception of eternal ideas in the divine mind, read into the text what is not there.[4]To be sure, "Aristotle held to the eternity of matter; and said that it was the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Hebrews 11:3

Hebrews 11:3. Through faith we understand, &c.— "By faith we understand that the worlds were adjusted by the word of God, and the several revolutions of them directed by the operations of his secret providence; as the whole universe was at first created by his power, wisdom, and goodness, and the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. It is certain that no visible cause could produce these things, which would be in effect to suppose them to have produced themselves:... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:3

3. we understand—We perceive with our spiritual intelligence the fact of the world's creation by God, though we see neither Him nor the act of creation as described in Genesis 1:1-31. The natural world could not, without revelation, teach us this truth, though it confirms the truth when apprehended by faith ( :-). Adam is passed over in silence here as to his faith, perhaps as being the first who fell and brought sin on us all; though it does not follow that he did not repent and believe the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:1-7

1. Faith in the Antediluvian Era 11:1-7The writer began by stating three facts about faith. These are general observations on the nature of faith, some of its significant features. He then illustrated God’s approval of faith with examples from the era before the Flood. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:1-13

IV. THE PROPER RESPONSE 11:1-12:13"In chapter Hebrews 10:22-25 there were three exhortations, respectively to Faith, Hope and Love. These are elaborated in turn: chapter 11 dealing with Faith; chapter 12 with Hope; chapter 13 with Love." [Note: Thomas, p. 140.] In this fourth major section of the epistle, the writer concentrated on motivating his readers to persevere in their faith with steadfast endurance. He continued the idea that he introduced in Hebrews 10:35-39. Some writers do not... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:3

However faith is a way of viewing all of life, what lies ahead as well as what is in the past. It involves accepting God’s viewpoint as He has revealed it in His Word. This extends to how the universe came into being (cf. Hebrews 1:2-3) as well as how it will end."Belief in the existence of the world is not faith, nor is it faith when men hold that the world was made out of some preexisting ’stuff.’ (In the first century there were people who did not believe in God but who held to some kind of... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:1-40

Heroes of FaithThe Achievements of Faith, illustrated from the annals of Israel, beginning with the patriarchs and coming down to the martyrs. The writer has already mentioned faith as a necessary condition of a righteous life, and he now proceeds to illustrate the fact that it was by faith that the fathers of the race were able to work righteousness and to endure their trials. Their heroic example ought to encourage the Hebrews to stand fast. The primary purpose, therefore, of this long... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 11:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Hebrews 11:3

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Hebrews 11:3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:1-7

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:1-13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:3

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:1-40

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