Things To See In Hebrews 11
Let’s look at some of the tremendous truths in this extraordinary eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews. Specific individuals are spoken about in this chapter for two vital reasons: 1) that which they believed, and 2) that which they hoped for. What was the source of their believing and their hope? The revealed Word of God. In other words, the clear and true message of God’s plan to redeem man. This message made known the complete and eternal deliverance to be accomplished by means of man’s redeemer. These individuals believed what God said and they hoped for those future realities which God promised.
The chapter opens with this statement:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. HEBREWS 11:1
The word “faith” is translated from the Greek noun pistis and should be translated “believing”. “Faith” conveys a degree of uncertainty, ‘It might happen, so have faith’. There is no uncertainty with the promise of God. What He says He will do He shall absolutely perform exactly as He has stated. Each individual mentioned in chapter 11 heard the promise of God and believed God would do exactly as He stated. There was no ambiguity in God’s promise and no uncertainty in their expectation of results. They believed. They did not ‘have faith’.
They not only believed that which God promised to do for them ‘now’, but also the promised future victory over death to be accomplished by man’s redeemer. These are the “things hoped for”. It says, “believing is the substance of things hoped for”. What does “substance” mean?
The Greek word is hupostasis which is a compound of hupo (under) and histēmi (to stand). It basically means “that which stands under”, like a foundation stands under the house.
Believing is that which stands under, like a foundation, things hoped for. The individuals in this chapter are examples of having believing that stood under the things they hoped for. In other words, because they were convinced that God would do what He promised in the future, they lived with believing under that assurance. This is wonderfully described in verse 13.
These all died in believing, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. HEBREWS 11:13
The first verse gives us two great statements that describe believing:
Believing is 1) the foundation of things hoped for, and 2) the evidence of things not seen.
The word translated “evidence” is also defined as “demonstration”, “convincing argument” or “that by which a thing is proved or tested”. Using the word “demonstration” it would read:
Believing is the demonstration of things not seen.
The “things not seen” are the same as the “things hoped for”. These are the promised “things” that are still future. That is why they’re “not seen” and why they’re “hoped for”. Believing is the demonstration of these things. How? Because when you are fully persuaded and truly convinced of God’s promises that are future realities, then your believing will demonstrate the surety of those promises. God is faithful now to perform His Word. He will be faithful then also. If we didn’t see the results of believing His promises today how could we expect the promised results in the future? He is the same now as He will be then!
I would like to show you another unique element of this chapter. There are six different words which mean “to see” or “to look” used throughout chapter 11 and including the first two verses of chapter 12. Here are the six words:
#1) blepō = To use the eyes. To look at. Used of the act of seeing, even though nothing is seen. Hence, to observe accurately and with desire. Used of mental vision and implying more contemplation than horaō (#5).
#2) eidō = To see. Implying not the mere act of looking, but the actual perception of the object. Thus differing from blepō (#1).
#3) ekdechomai = To receive from any person or other source. To be about to receive from any person or other source. Therefore: to wait for, to look for, to expect. This is dechomai = to receive, prefixed by the preposition ek = out from.
#4) apoblepō To look away towards anything. To fix the eyes intently upon. Hence, to have regard to. This is blepō (#1) prefixed by the preposition apo = away from.
#5) horaō = To perceive with the eyes. It is used of bodily sight, with special reference in thought to the object looked at.
#6) aphoraō = To look away from others unto one who is regarded earnestly. This is horaō (#5) prefixed by the preposition apo = away from.
Note these six words and their distinct usage throughout the chapter:
Now believing is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen [blepō #1]. For by it [by believing] the elders obtained a good report. Through believing we understand that the ages were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen [blepō #1] were not made of things which do appear. By believing Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By believing Enoch was translated that he should not see [eidō #2] death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. HEBREWS 11:1-5
By believing Noah, being warned of God of things not seen [blepō #1] as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By believing Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By believing he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for [ekdechomai #3] a city [the city] which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. HEBREWS 11:7-10
These all died in believing, not having received the promises, but having seen [eidō #2] them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. HEBREWS 11:13
By believing Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw [eidō #2] he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By believing Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect [apoblepō #4] unto the recompense of the reward. By believing he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing [horaō #5] Him Who is invisible. HEBREWS 11:23-27
Wherefore seeing * we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking [aphoraō #6] unto Jesus the author and finisher of our believing; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. HEBREWS 12:1-2
*There is no corresponding word in the Greek text, therefore the word ‘seeing’ could be deleted here.
[TO BE CONTINUED]
