Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen — it means taking God at His Word about realities you cannot see.
The verse describes faith as the very core of what believers hope for and as the evidence for unseen, spiritual realities. Les Feldick teaches that this is the Bible's own definition: faith deals with the invisible realm that cannot be touched or tested. His one clear-cut definition of faith is simply 'taking God at His Word' — believing what God has said even when we cannot fully understand it.
Hebrews 11:1 — This verse gives the Bible's own definition of faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, which is exactly the question being asked.
Hebrews 11:1 states: 'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' The verse defines faith in relation to two things: the things that believers hope for, and things that are not yet seen. Faith is called their 'substance' and their 'evidence.' Verse 2 continues, 'For by it the elders obtained a good report.' The following verse connects faith to creation: 'Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.' The text presents faith as the means by which believers understand that the visible universe was created by God's spoken Word rather than from visible materials. Hebrews 11:6 goes on to say, 'But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.' Scripture therefore makes faith essential for anyone who would come to God — a person must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.
In teaching on Hebrews 11:1, Les Feldick explains that this verse gives the Bible's own definition of faith. Faith is 'the substance, the meat, the very core' of things hoped for, and it is 'the evidence of things not seen' — dealing with the invisible, spirit world that cannot be touched, seen, or tested in a laboratory (Clips 1 and 2). He points out that the only way to comprehend the invisible is by faith. Les's one clear-cut definition of faith is 'taking God at His Word.' He says that is all faith is — when you read something in Scripture, even if you cannot understand it, you believe it because it is God who said it (Clips 4 and 5). He warns that Christianity has become wrapped up in works, materialism, and programs, losing the truth that 'the just shall live by faith.' Les also walks through the verses that follow Hebrews 11:1. By faith the elders — the Old Testament saints, the forefathers — obtained a good report, and through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God; there is no other way to prove it, but God said it and we believe it (Clips 1, 2, and 3). He stresses Hebrews 11:6: 'without faith it is impossible to please God.' Even a morally good person without faith cannot be used by God, and people today who demand proof instead of believing the Word of God are destitute of faith — but God does not have to prove anything; God is sovereign (Clips 6 and 7).
Les describes faith as the substance, the meat, the very core, the epitome of things hoped for (Clips 1 and 2). Faith is what makes the things a believer hopes for solid and real before they are ever seen. The substance of a hoped-for thing is what gives it certainty to the believer.
Faith deals with the area of the invisible — the spirit world. Les says these are things you cannot put your hands on, cannot take into a laboratory and put in a test tube (Clip 2). There is only one way to comprehend the invisible, and that is by faith (Clip 1). Faith, then, is the evidence of these unseen realities.
Les explains that his one clear-cut definition of faith is 'taking God at His Word — that's all faith is' (Clip 4). When you read something in the Book, even though you can't understand it, you believe it, because it is God that said it (Clip 5). He points people to Hebrews 11 as the great faith chapter, where Scripture gives its own definition, so no one thinks he is pulling this out of the woodwork (Clip 4).
Through faith, believers understand that the worlds — the universe — were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Clip 1). Les says there is no way to prove it any other way; God simply said it, and believers have to believe it. God expects us to believe it because He said that is how He did it (Clip 3).
Les says this is an area where there is no room for disagreement: without faith it is impossible to please God, and a person who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Clip 6). He applies this to Esau, noting that regardless of how morally good a person may be, without faith God cannot use him (Clip 7). Today people are turned off by Christianity because they are destitute of faith — they demand scientific proof, but God does not have to prove anything; God is sovereign (Clip 7).
Romans 8:24-29 — Does God Choose You or Do You Choose Him?
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Faith Is the Substance of Things Hoped For
Les explains Hebrews 11:1, calling faith the substance, meat, core, and epitome of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen — the only way to comprehend the invisible.
The Bible's Definition of Faith in the Invisible Realm
Les reads Hebrews 11 as the Bible's own definition of faith — the meat and very core of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen — and says faith belongs to the invisible spirit world that cannot be tested in a laboratory.
Faith Believes God's Word About Creation
Les teaches that by faith the elders obtained a good report, and through faith we understand the worlds were framed by God's Word — there is no other way to prove it, so we believe it because God said it.
Taking God at His Word
Les gives his one clear-cut definition of faith: taking God at His Word — and points to Hebrews 11 as the great faith chapter where Scripture defines the word itself.
Faith Believes Even Without Understanding
Les puts the definition on the board: faith is taking God at His Word — believing what the Book says even when you cannot understand it, because it is God who said it.
Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please God
Les stresses Hebrews 11:6 as a non-negotiable: without faith it is impossible to please God, and anyone coming to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who seek Him.
Faithless People Demand Proof
Les applies Hebrews 11:6 to show that without faith it is impossible to please God — people today are destitute of faith and demand proof, but God does not have to prove anything; God is sovereign.
Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The verse being asked about — it is the Bible's own definition of faith in relation to hope and the unseen.
Hebrews 11:2: For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Shows the result of faith in the lives of the Old Testament elders, who obtained a good report by it.
Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Ties faith to creation — through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by God's Word.
Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
States the absolute necessity of faith — without it, it is impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as 'the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' Les Feldick summarizes this as taking God at His Word — believing what God has said about things you cannot see or fully understand. That, he says, is all faith is.
Because the spirit world is invisible — faith deals with things you cannot touch or put in a test tube. Les teaches that the only way to comprehend the invisible is by faith, and through faith believers understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God.
No, according to Les Feldick. He teaches that people today have become so intellectual and scientifically minded that they demand proof, but God does not have to prove anything — God is sovereign. Faith is simply taking God at His Word.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 8:24-29 — Does God Choose You or Do You Choose Him?