The seven-fold analysis of perfected faith that occupies the bulk of Heb. 11: is

introduced by a statement that reveals the underlying and essential character of this faith

in all and every one of its manifestations; "Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things

hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen." This passage may be taken apart from its

context as a general definition of faith, but its real force can only be appreciated as it is

seen at the head of this seven-fold exposition of perfected faith.

Moreover, viewing the statement in its context, it cannot be separated from the closing

words of chapter 10: There the believer is seen "losing" in this life, but sustained by the

consciousness of that "possession of a better and more lasting nature" (10: 34), which was

held in faith and prospect. The words immediately preceding the definition of faith in

Heb. 11: 1 speak of a future day when those who have "lost their soul" for Christ's sake

shall "gain" or "acquire it". Now it is evident that if these believers were really to take

joyfully the spoiling of their goods, they must have had very vividly before them "the

better and more lasting possessions" that awaited them in glory.

As we examine the testimony of this chapter to the faith of Abel, Abraham, Moses and

others, we shall see how much and how readily they gave up life, home, and wealth for

the Lord's sake, and of them all it could be said that they were sustained by that faith

which is the substance of things hoped for. Moses "endured, as seeing Him Who is

invisible".  What therefore are we to understand by the words "substance" and

In preparation for this, we covered a fairly wide circle in the examination of this word

"substance" and its usage, but nothing revealed the intention of the apostle so well as the

way in which it is used in the LXX or Greek version of the Old Testament. Hupostasis,

the word translated "substance", is found in a number of passages in the Old Testament, a

few of them being given hereafter as illuminating Heb. 11: 1, "And now, Lord, what wait

I for? my (ground of) hope is in Thee" (Psa. 37: 7). Where the Hebrew had the

simple word "hope", the LXX had "My hupostasis (or ground of hope) is in Thee". "I

sink in deep mire where there is no standing" (Psa. 69: 2). In the next reference it is

difficult to avoid a lengthy explanation if a literal rendering, together with the LXX

parallels, is demanded. It so happens that in the A.V. the two adjoining verses contain

the word "substance" as a rendering of other words. We think, however, that sufficient

for our purpose will be provided by ignoring the surrounding difficulties, and lifting out

the word translated by hupostasis. Spurrell's translation avoids some of the pitfalls.