Before reviewing the text of Hebrews 11:1, it is helpful to establish the context. The author of Hebrews describes Christians as 'those who have faith and preserve their soul' (Hebrews 10:39). Having made such a claim, the author now details faith so that there is no doubt as to what it is that preserves them.
In Ancient Greek 'pistis' is the word for faith. It is an abstract noun that sometimes means belief, trust, or confidence and the root is 'peithó' which is a verb meaning to persuade or to have confidence. Properly we can understand faith to mean we are persuaded by God, and we have trust in Him.
In the verses following Hebrew 11:1 is additional context, all of which is helpful for informing our own view of faith.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 ESV
The first observation is that pistis is used heavily throughout the New Testament and this verse is the seventh reference to faith in the letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:2, 6:1, 6:12, 10:22, 10:38, 10:39). Additionally the opposite of pistis is apista, which is used twice earlier in the letter (Hebrews 3:12, 3:19).
It is unlikely that the author is describing faith at this stage because the readers did not understand the word. Instead, the purpose is to expand their understanding in the following paragraphs, and Hebrews 11:1 is the springboard to do so. In the following verses of chapter 11, pistis is used a total of 23 times. We can think of Hebrews 11:1 as a summary definition.
The second observation is that this definition helps to expound the Apostle Paul's statement 'faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love' (1 Corinthians 13:13). If faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen, it matures upon attaining that which is hoped for, and the unseen things becomes seen. That's not to say we enter a period of disbelief or unfaithfulness when we are glorified, rather that our faithfulness is rewarded.
Finally, the writer of Hebrews then leaps off the springboard of the first verse to demonstrate the many rewards of faith by recounting stories from the Old Testament.
The rewards from each of these stories is summarised in the final two verses of the chapter; each person is commended for their faith. However, the better reward was saved for when Jesus perfected the faith and became seated at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2). Those of us who are persuaded by this truth will similarly be rewarded, it will be commended to each of us as righteousness.
Final Remarks
Grace is a gift from God through faith (Ephesians 2:8), never a product of our own effort so that none may boast (Ephesians 2:9). Jesus founded and perfected our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and now intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:34).
If we run the race, staying on course, we are promised an unshakeable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28), although it is currently unseen, we are persuaded that God, who never lies. will fulfil his promises (Hebrews 6:17:18).
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