What does Hebrews 11:1 mean?

 

Translation can be a tricky thing. We can try to do a “word for word” between Greek and English, but often the grammar differences between the two languages get in the way. Similarly, sometimes single words do not match up to provide the exact same meaning in both languages. Sometimes a word in koine Greek may require multiple words in English to provide the proper meaning. Sometimes the reverse is true and several words in the Greek may be translated using a single word. To avoid the confusion of a literal word-for-word translation, some translators attempt to write out what they consider to be a “thought for thought” translation. The problem here is that one must deeply understand both languages, one must have deep knowledge of the context and culture of both languages, and one must accept that translating the thoughts of another person from another time and place necessarily involves the translator’s own particular or peculiar biases as they seek to bring the other person’s thoughts into modern English.

To help us better understand, many of us read through a number of translations to see how various other minds and those with many years of experience in these languages translate a particular text. The “meaning” is often found somewhere between the literal word for word and the thought for thought. Below are some translations of Hebrews 11:1 to consider. In so considering, remember that this verse is part of a larger work and it should be read as an entirety, not as a collection of sayings. If you go back and read before chapter 11 and then read onward, you’ll see that “faith” is a dominant topic and the author runs us through faith in God from the ancients to the author’s contemporary time. The following translations are loosely organized from the most like “word for word” to “thought for thought.”

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (King James Version, KJV)

Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. (Douay-Rheims, DRA)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (English Standard Version, ESV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (New American Standard Bible, NASB)

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. (Holman Christian Standard Bible, HCSB)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. (NET version)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (New International Version, NIV, 1984)

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. (New Living Translation, NLT)

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. (The Message, MSG)

I hope going through these translations and by reading all of chapter 11 (at least) provides some understanding.

Edit Addendum: I purposely left it to the OP to read through these English translations and come to their own understanding—without “telling” them what to think. When the Scriptures speak to them through the working of the Holy Spirit, it will stick with them longer and more deeply. It’s a basic teaching/learning principle.

Lots of people are giving and/or explaining their definitions and understanding of what faith is in comments under my answer. They should be writing their own answers rather than piggy-backing on mine. That way, people will be more likely to see what they wrote and evaluate whether it adds value.

Some are adding things that really add nothing to the discussion. I hesitate to delete comments, but just might have to remove those that just wander without a specific point related to the original question.

A couple comments are helpful, providing valuable insight. They expand on ideas presented or offer additional linguistic or historical insight. These are welcomed.

Edit Addendum #2: Some folks here are laboring under the mistaken notions that

1.) I do not know what faith is (I do),

2.) that I have invited commenters to write long responses that explain what THEY think faith is (I did not), and

3.) that they need to write out a long answer of their own as a comment, because, as a couple commenters say, I have not “answered” the question. Firstly, if you feel the need to answer the OP, write your own answer! Secondly, if you can read and analyze text, I did “answer” the question. Not by writing out a new definition of faith (it is after all, right here in the letter to the Hebrews [and in other places scattered throughout Scripture]), but I answered in the same way that my favorite teacher, Jesus used in his teachings and parables. I like to take my Scriptural teaching pedagogy from him [as well as from my long career as a professional educator].

Helping someone learn is not often best done by simply “telling” someone what something means, but rather, helping them come to see it on their own. It truly “sticks” better and gets more deeply embedded in that way. There are clearly some things that you do just tell; “Don’t step into the street right now or you’ll get killed by that bus!” But in matters like these, where Scripture is fairly clear, you show someone how to learn, point them at ways of looking at it, and encourage them to struggle with it just a bit until they reach the “Aha!” moment. Too many commenters here (detractors, actually) are “tellers” rather than educators—much less spiritual mentors. They need to step back and look at both their motives and their pedagogy. They are relatively ineffective teachers. In a professional setting, they would be sent out for more “skills development” and we’d likely see their students performing as parrots rather than educated thinkers.

I have left most comments standing so far. Some have good insights and add something that might be valuable to the OP. Others that are mean-spirited or wack-a-doo get excised. I also remove those that include blatant ads, self-promotion, or links to outside sources to sites that do not hold to orthodox Christian beliefs (little ‘o’ orthodoxy; meaning the set of generally agreed upon things that allow one to call oneself a Christian). Neither is there room here for attacking what you do not understand or making unwarranted ad hominem attacks—on me, which I can usually tolerate or on other commenters.

Regarding the ad hominem: I love it (/sarcasm) how some folks here think they actually know my heart and can judge my faith—usually accusing me of some spiritual offense or presuming to exclude me from the Body of Christ…and that most likely because 1. I might not appear to believe something exactly the same way that they believe and they simply cannot tolerate that or, in a number of cases, they have no clue what “skeptical mystic” means in the line under my name and they presume some gnostic, pagan, or non- or even anti-theist “belief” on my part. I just shake my head and chuckle. I am a Believer, folks, and have been so for close to 60 years.

OK, back to our regularly scheduled programming.