Substance and Evidence

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

I’ve struggled with an aspect of this verse for a few days.  Mostly with how to communicate a correct perspective of these interpretations. 

The author of Hebrews (unknown to my knowledge) started Hebrews with the sentence, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son."  And we get to the end of chapter 10 where the author, speaking to Christian Jews (Hebrews), asks them to remember when they had become saved and had endured suffering, persecution, and loss of all they had.  He reminds them that did this joyfully, mindful that they had "better and lasting possessions", "enduring possession in heaven", or I would teach it as God's Spirit within them.  And so the writer encourages them to have endurance in their faith.

Here is where we start chapter 11 with a definition of faith followed by the "Faith Hall of Fame".  What is the purpose of this definition?  The writer is defining for us something we can all relate to, then he is giving us the greatest examples of demonstrated faith so that the Christian Jews and we might be encouraged to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12).

"Faith is the substance in things hoped for ...".  Here is where it is absolutely crucial to remember the audience of this letter, the Christian Jews.  What had the Jews been hoping for since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden?  A Deliverer from their sins who would be King of the Creation.  "The blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).  Their hope is the appearing of Jesus our Savior, forever. 

Unfortunately, we too often define hope as something we want to happen but aren't sure it will - we expect it but are uncertain in its happenstance.  There is a sense of doubt and unfortunately, too many Christians define their faith by that same definition.  They like the idea of the eternity thing and they like the love characteristics of God and the friendliness of His people.  But when a non-believer says to them that they are just putting wishes in their hand and hoping they come true, they do not have a response because they themselves have some doubts.  Or when a real life trial comes they can’t stand.

It is important to understand that God is the Author of our hope, not the Subject of it.  He is “the God of hope” (Romans 15:13).  The verse says that faith is the “substance” and the “evidence”.  It is a known quantity, not something unknown.  Substance would indicate a scientific thought; I’ve put the Bible to the test and it has proved itself – the Spirit of God has made it real to me.  Evidence would indicate a legal thought; it can be used to prove a case. Neither of these has the slightest relation to our concept of hope in a wishful sense.

The writer injects this verse here to say to the Hebrews that hope we have been looking for has come and is Jesus.  He is the Messiah we were waiting for, do not doubt now and hold onto your faith.  "Faith is the substance in things hoped for ...", our faith is in a real person, Jesus, and He really lived and we are confident in Him as the fulfillment of God’s promise to man.  “The evidence of things not seen”, He alone is proof of God.  The simplest and smallest encounter with Jesus will prove He is real and He will change your life by fulfilling it.