Tag Archives: Hebrews 11:1

Ἔστι δὲ πίστις ἐλπιζομένων ὑπόστασις, πραγμάτων ἔλεγχος οὐ βλεπομένων. (Hebrews 11:1)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen.

Defining the Indefinable

Hebrews 11:1 is among the most quoted verses in the New Testament, often called the “definition” of faith. The Greek reads: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The verse employs a copula construction (ἔστι), nominative predicates (ὑπόστασις, ἔλεγχος), and genitive modifiers (ἐλπιζομένων, πραγμάτων) to frame faith in both ontological and epistemological terms. The grammar itself presses readers beyond abstract definition to experiential reality.… Learn Koine Greek