This chapter deals with the vision of faith and perseverance in "faith." It introduces us to men and women of the Old Testament who had a sharp spiritual insight and endured great shame and suffering rather than deny their faith.
[Verse 1] is not a definition of faith, but rather a description of what "faith" does for us. It makes things we "hope" for seem as real as if we already had them. Additionally, it provides unwavering proof that the unseen spiritual blessings of the Christian faith are absolutely certain and real. In other words, faith brings the future into our present and makes the invisible visible.
"Faith" is trust in the trustworthiness of God. It is the conviction that what God says is true and that His promises will be fulfilled.
Faith needs God's revelations and promises as its foundation. It is not a leap into the unknown. It demands the best evidence in the universe and finds it in God's Word. It is not limited to what is possible but presses into the realm of the impossible. Someone once said, "Faith begins where the possible ends. If it were possible, it would not bring glory to God."
[Verse 1] is not a definition of faith, but rather a description of what "faith" does for us. It makes things we "hope" for seem as real as if we already had them. Additionally, it provides unwavering proof that the unseen spiritual blessings of the Christian faith are absolutely certain and real. In other words, faith brings the future into our present and makes the invisible visible.
"Faith" is trust in the trustworthiness of God. It is the conviction that what God says is true and that His promises will be fulfilled.
Faith needs God's revelations and promises as its foundation. It is not a leap into the unknown. It demands the best evidence in the universe and finds it in God's Word. It is not limited to what is possible but presses into the realm of the impossible. Someone once said, "Faith begins where the possible ends. If it were possible, it would not bring glory to God."
 | Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-09-25 Source: Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck |
Faith always has been the mark of God’s servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This persuasion gives the soul to enjoy those things now; it gives them a subsistence or reality in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them. Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye. It is a full approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good. This view of faith is explained by many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honorable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings. The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see of the works of creation, were brought into being by the command of God.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-3
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
 | Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source: Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry |
Oes not spring from a sound conscience: why therefore excite toward yourself that evil (passion)? why invite (that) to which you profess yourself a stranger? secondly, because we ought not to open a way to temptations, which, by their instancy, sometimes achieve (a wickedness) which God expels from them who are His; (or, ) at all events, put the spirit into a thorough tumult by (presenting) a stumbling-block (to it). We ought indeed to walk so holily, and with so entire substantiality
 | Author: Tertullian of Carthage Rank: Author AD: 220 |
O what an expression has he used, in saying, an evidence of things not seen. For [we say] there is evidence, in the case of things that are very plain. Faith then is the seeing things not plain (he means), and brings what are not seen to the same full assurance with what are seen. So then neither is it possible to disbelieve in things which are seen, nor, on the other hand can there be faith unless a man be more fully assured with respect to things invisible, than he is with respect to things that are most clearly seen. For since the objects of hope seem to be unsubstantial, Faith gives them substantiality, or rather, does not give it, but is itself their substance. For instance, the Resurrection has not come, nor does it exist substantially, but hope makes it substantial in our soul. This is [the meaning of] the substance of things. If therefore it is an evidence of things not seen, why forsooth do you wish to see them, so as to fall away from faith, and from being just? Since the just shall live by faith, whereas ye, if you wish to see these things, are no longer faithful. You have labored (he says), you have struggled: I too allow this, nevertheless, wait; for this is Faith: do not seek the whole here. These things were indeed said to the Hebrews, but they are a general exhortation also to many of those who are here assembled. How and in what way? To the faint-hearted; to the mean-spirited. For when they see the wicked prospering, and themselves faring ill, they are troubled, they bear it impatiently: while they long for the chastisement, and the inflicting vengeance on others; while they wait for the rewards of their own sufferings. For yet a little time, and He that shall come will come. Let us then say this to the slothful: Doubtless there will be punishment; doubtless He will come, henceforth the events of the Resurrection are even at the doors. Whence [does] that [appear] (you say)? I do not say, from the prophets; for neither do I now speak to Christians only; but even if a heathen be here, I am perfectly confident, and bring forward my proofs, and will instruct him. How (you say)? Christ foretold many things. If those former things did not come to pass, then do not believe them; but if they all came to pass, why doubt concerning those that remain? And indeed, it were very unreasonable, nothing having come to pass, to believe the one, or when all has come to pass, to disbelieve the others. But I will make the matter more plain by an example. Christ said, that Jerusalem should be taken, and should be so taken as no city ever was before, and that it should never be raised up: and in fact this prediction came to pass. He said, that there should be great tribulation Matthew 24:21, and it came to pass. He said that a grain of mustard seed is sown, so should the preaching [of the Gospel] be extended: and every day we see this running over the world. He said, that they who left father or mother, or brethren, or sisters, should have both fathers and mothers; And this we see fulfilled by facts. He said, in the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world John 16:33, that is, no man shall get the better of you. And this we see by the events has come to pass. He said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church Matthew 16:18, even though persecuted, and that no one shall quench the preaching [of the Gospel]: and the experience of events bears witness to this prediction also: and yet when He said these things, it was very hard to believe Him. Why? Because all these were words, and He had not as yet given proof of the things spoken. So that they have now become far more credible. He said that when the Gospel should have been preached among all the nations, then the end shall come Matthew 24:14; lo! now you have arrived at the end: for the greater part of the world has been preached to, therefore the end is now at hand. Let us tremble, beloved. But what, tell me? Are you anxious about the end? It indeed is itself near, but each man's life and death is nearer. For it is said, the days of our years are seventy years; but if [one be] in strength, fourscore years. Psalm 90:10 The day of judgment is near. Let us fear. A brother does not redeem; shall man redeem? Psalm 49:7 There we shall repent much, but in death no man shall praise Him. Psalm 6:5 Wherefore he says, Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving Psalm 93:2, that is, his coming. For here [in this life] indeed, whatever we do has efficacy; but there, no longer. Tell me, if a man placed us for a little while in a flaming furnace, should we not submit to anything in order to escape, even were it necessary to part with our money, nay to undergo slavery? How many have fallen into grievous diseases, and would gladly give up all, to be delivered from them, if the choice were offered them? If in this world then, a disease of short duration so afflicts us, what shall we do yonder, when repentance will be of no avail?
 | Author: John Chrysostom Rank: Bishop AD: 407 |
"For hereby "pre-eminently, "the elders obtained a good report. But without faith it is impossible to please God."
 | Author: Clement Of Alexandria Rank: Author AD: 215 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
