"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
— Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Hebrews 11:1 is the Bible's best-known description of faith. This page gives the verse, the chapter it opens, and a plain reading. For more verses on the theme, see Bible verses about faith, Bible verses about hope, and Bible verses about trust.
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The verse
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) reads: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
The King James says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." "Substance" (NIV "confidence") is hypostasis (G5287), something that stands under and gives a firm footing. "Evidence" (NIV "assurance") is elenchos (G1650), a proof or conviction.
The chapter it opens
Hebrews 11 is often called the "faith chapter." After verse 1 comes, "This is what the ancients were commended for" (Hebrews 11:2), and then a long list: "By faith Abel... By faith Enoch... By faith Noah... By faith Abraham..." It includes Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab (Hebrews 11:31).
Verse 6 adds, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." The chapter leads into Hebrews 12:2, which calls Jesus "the pioneer and perfecter of faith." The letter does not name its author.
What the verse is saying
Faith here is not wishful thinking. It is a firm footing on what God has promised, even before you can see it. The people in Hebrews 11 acted on God's word before they saw it fulfilled: Noah built, Abraham left home, Moses chose to suffer with God's people.
The chapter even says many of them "were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance" (Hebrews 11:13). For more on that, see Bible verses about God's faithfulness and Rahab's faith.
Questions people ask
What does Hebrews 11:1 say?
In the NIV it says, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." The KJV says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
What does substance mean in Hebrews 11:1?
The Greek word hypostasis means something that stands underneath and gives a firm footing. Faith is that footing for what God has promised but we cannot yet see.
What is the context of Hebrews 11:1?
It opens the "faith chapter," which lists people like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Rahab who acted "by faith." The chapter leads into Hebrews 12:2, which points to Jesus.
Who wrote Hebrews?
The letter does not name its author, and that has been debated since the early church.
What verse goes well with Hebrews 11:1?
Hebrews 11:6 says, "without faith it is impossible to please God." 1 Corinthians 13:13 puts faith beside hope and love, and Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart."
