Faith Defined

Hebrews 11: 1 – 4 (April 11, 2010)

1) The Text

11Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

4By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain’s. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks.

2) The Context

Apart from the concluding verses (which may have been added later), this book is a treatise (or sermon) rather than a letter. Its name comes from its approach to Christianity: it is couched in Judaic terms. The identity of the author is unknown; Origen, c. 200 said that "only God knows" who wrote Hebrews. The book presents an elaborate analysis, arguing for the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ as revealer and mediator of God's grace. Basing his argument on the Old Testament, the author argues for the superiority of Christ to the prophets, angels and Moses. Christ offers a superior priesthood, and his sacrifice is much more significant than that of Levite priests. Jesus is the "heavenly" High Priest, making the true sacrifice for the sins of the people, but he is also of the same flesh and blood as those he makes holy.

In the section preceding this passage, the author has urged his readers to recall the time after they were baptized: they endured hardships: – public abuse, persecution and “plundering of your possessions” (10:34), accepting these privations cheerfully “knowing that you ... possessed something better and more lasting”. So, he urges, “do not abandon ... that confidence of yours” (10:35). “You need endurance” (10:36) to “receive what was promised” (i.e. eternal life with Christ). Christ will come again; keep your faith in him.

In the current passage, the writer encourages his readers by listing examples of those who did persevere. Above all, he lets his readers into the secret of their success. These "great ones" persevered by faith. They persevered by trusting the promises of God, which promises were without substance or visible evidence. None-the-less, they regulated their lives on the basis of God's revealed truth - on his promises and commands. They did so, even though much of this truth concerned an unseen future.

3) Interpretation

The writer initially defines faith as "being sure" and "being certain". This clause can be understood in a number of different ways: (a) Faith is the substance or real essence of what we hope for; (b) Faith is the first fruits of what we hope for; and (c) Faith is confidence in, or assurance of, things hoped for. This is probably the best way to understand faith; faith, not as an object given and possessed, but rather a subjective human quality which may or may not be expressed, and when expressed, is done so in varying degrees.

That is, faith is human confidence, and confidence may be weak or strong. In the Christian sense, faith (either weak or strong - faith as small as a mustard seed moves mountains) is confidence in God and his communication to us - his Word: his promises and commands. Faith, in its Christian sense, finds its substance in what is believed, not in the act of believing. So for example, to believe in Jesus, but not in his resurrection, is not saving faith. Our new life depends on our confidence in Christ's new life. If Jesus did not rise from the dead then we are still in our old state of sin, 1Cor.15:17. So, in this sense, faith is not a gift of God, rather Christ is God's gift to us. We may turn toward Christ, or turn away from Christ, believe (have faith) or not believe.

The writer goes on to point out that through faith the people of Israel gained God's approval, and thus persevered. Their lives are recorded in scripture as examples which serve to encourage those who follow in their footsteps. To aid our Christian life, the writer goes on to list some of those who lived by faith. Before listing the examples of faith, the writer illustrates his definition of faith. He has told us that faith is a firm conviction in God's revealed Word, in particular, the promises which "we hope for" and yet at present "do not see." Faith is holding firm to the promises of God, such that our actions and convictions align with our acceptance of God's revealed truth.

Faith as a mustard seed
Faith is not some mysterious religious quality which only a few possess. Faith is not something reserved for the holy, set apart perfect religious person; it is not something given to some, but not given to others, a quality only entrusted to a few. Nor is faith a religious quality we can use to make things happen, a tool to bend the will of God. Faith is none of these things.

Faith is a willing, but struggling trust, in the revealed intentions of God; it is a reliance on God and on his truths, on his promises. Such faith may be as small as a mustard seed, hesitant, uneasy, filled with doubts, and yet determined to hold onto God's promises through all the doubts and fears that assail us. Faith is a confidence, a conviction, in the revealed will of God. Such faith makes a person acceptable to God. When Jesus makes a promise like: "everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life," then to believe is to have life. Such faith makes a person right with God.

The writer to the Hebrews says in 10:35-36, "Do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." How do we persevere in the Christian life? By faith, is the answer. All the great saints of the past persevered by faith. They were "persecuted and mistreated - the world was not worthy of them." "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised." For us, the age of promise has dawned, the kingdom is at hand. Yet, we too must struggle as they did, awaiting the coming of our Lord. But how? By faith we hold tenaciously to Jesus.

4) Thought Exercise

How would you define faith?

When have you persevered through difficult times by faith?