Heb 11:1 | RWP | e4.org | Now faith is ( εστιν δε πιστις ). He has just said that "we are of faith" ( ), not of apostasy. Now he proceeds in a chapter of great eloquence and passion to illustrate his point by a recital of the heroes of faith whose example should spur them to like loyalty now. The assurance of things hoped for ( ελπιζομενων υποστασις ). Hupostasis is a very common word from Aristotle on and comes from υφιστημ ( υπο , under, ιστημ , intransitive), what stands under anything (a building, a contract, a promise). See the philosophical use of it in , the sense of assurance (une assurance certaine, Menegoz) in , that steadiness of mind which holds one firm ( ). It is common in the papyri in business documents as the basis or guarantee of transactions. "And as this is the essential meaning in we venture to suggest the translation 'Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for'" (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary , etc.). The proving of things not seen ( πραγματων ελεγχος ου βλεπομενων ). The only N.T. example of ελεγχος (except Textus Receptus in for ελεγμον ). Old and common word from ελεγχω ( ) for "proof" and then for "conviction." Both uses occur in the papyri and either makes sense here, perhaps "conviction" suiting better though not in the older Greek.

‏ Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is ( εστιν δε πιστις ). He has just said that "we are of faith" (10:39), not of apostasy. Now he proceeds in a chapter of great eloquence and passion to illustrate his point by a recital of the heroes of faith whose example should spur them to like loyalty now.

The assurance of things hoped for ( ελπιζομενων υποστασις ).

Hupostasis is a very common word from Aristotle on and comes from υφιστημ ( υπο, under, ιστημ, intransitive), what stands under anything (a building, a contract, a promise). See the philosophical use of it in 1:3, the sense of assurance (une assurance certaine, Menegoz) in 3:14, that steadiness of mind which holds one firm (2Co 9:4). It is common in the papyri in business documents as the basis or guarantee of transactions. "And as this is the essential meaning in Heb 11:1 we venture to suggest the translation 'Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for'" (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary, etc.).

The proving of things not seen ( πραγματων ελεγχος ου βλεπομενων ). The only N.T. example of ελεγχος (except Textus Receptus in 2Ti 3:16 for ελεγμον ). Old and common word from ελεγχω (Mt 18:15) for "proof" and then for "conviction." Both uses occur in the papyri and either makes sense here, perhaps "conviction" suiting better though not in the older Greek.