Hebrews 11:1 in Context
Hebrews 11:1 read in its full chapter context. See the verses before and after, plus historical setting and flow of thought.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
— Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Where This Verse Sits
Hebrews 11:1 appears in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 1. The author of Hebrews (traditionally attributed to Paul, though debated) wrote to Jewish Christians around AD 64-68 who were tempted to return to Judaism under persecution. Chapter 11, often called the 'Hall of Faith,' follows this definition with examples of Old Testament figures who lived by faith despite never seeing the fulfillment of God's promises.
The Verse Itself
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
— Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Flow of the Passage
To grasp Hebrews 11:1 fully, read it inside the surrounding paragraph. The verses before set up the argument, and the verses after show its outworking. Hebrews 11 as a whole carries forward the theme of faith, and this single verse is one beat in that larger movement.
The author of Hebrews defines faith as confident assurance in what we hope for and conviction about unseen realities. Faith makes the invisible tangible.
Cross-References
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