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Faith's Foundation

now, faith exists a foundation; hope, proof, things done not seen (Hebrews 11:1)

This verse is usually translated as something like "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" or "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." I have often used a more literal translation of "faith exists; assurance, hope, proof, things not seen.” Lets look at the word often translated as assurance and confidence (ὑπόστασις, (hypostasis). Thayer's Greek Lexicon gives it the meanings "a setting or placing under; thing put under, substructure, foundation; that which has foundation is firm; that which has actual existence; a substance; the substantial-quality, nature; steadiness of mind, firmness, courage resolution; confidence, firm trust, assurance. It is from ὑπό (hupó, “down, under”) + στάσις (stásis, “standing”). The idea is that faith exists a foundation, something to stand on, evidence, substance (which certainly gives us assurance, confidence... but so much more). Faith's foundation exists of things that are not seen with the human eye.

for we have come into existence a partaker of Christ, if indeed holding to the beginning, of standing firm to the end (Hebrews 3:14)

The word beginning speaks of Jesus being the origin, the reality, the head. Standing firm to the end, means I have confidence, because I'm standing on a firm foundation, where I have been taught in Christ, like as Paul writes in Colossians 2:7 "rooted and built up in him, established in the faith as you were taught." We are being built up upon a foundation, we are God's building (1 Corinthians 3:9), the church built on a foundation where Jesus Christ himself is the foundation stone (Ephesians 2:20). This is how we come to a fullness in God, Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith, rooted and founded in love (Ephesians 3:17-19). 

if indeed remain abiding in the faith, founded and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel like as hearing proclaimed in every founding under heaven... (Colossians 1:23)

Paul relates our foundation in Christ to creation, seen as the founding or building of God. The word steadfast speaks of someone who is founded, remaining or continuing to abide, confident, settled, firm, constant. When built upon the proper foundation the Christian is being built up into a proper dwelling place of God. Jesus said, the one who keeps his words is like a man who built his house on the rock, he has a proper foundation when the storm waters comes he will stand firm. This implies as John writes the young person is strong, as the word of God abides in him and he has overcome. He is constant firm. We see in this verse part of faith's foundation is hope. All who have this hope in Him, those who are blessed to be called children of God, purify themselves just as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3). 

faith exists a foundation; hope, proof...

Faith also as a foundation of proof, sometimes translated as a conviction because it too is something that exists, substance, and evidence not seen. Proof speaks highly of the trial in which the proving or testing of our faith becomes genuine. Faith itself has a root word meaning to be persuaded. Proof is persuasion, the renewing of the mind, which often comes in the proving. If we hold fast, continue in the faith we will overcome. This is the faith of Abraham who did not judge according to his unbelief but was strengthened in faith until he was fully convinced of God's promises. The trial that seems hopeless and impossible to endure is overcome through the strengthening of faith that is energized by the deep love of God. Hope is a byproduct of being proven. We can boast in the hope of the glory of God, this hope that we have as children of God that leads us into purity, which is why we can "boast in the trial, knowing that the trial works out endurance and endurance proves, and the proving produces hope and hope doesn't disappoint because the love of God is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:1-5). 

who exists the radiance of his glory and the exact representation of his essence and bringing forth all of the word of his power... (Hebrews 1:3)

Here we see another use of the word (ὑπόστασις, (hypostasis) as essence. Essence has as a definition of something that exists. The essence of God is that he exists, he never changes, he is the same today as he was yesterday. This essence of who God is foundational, he is the Rock that we can have a firm foundation and build upon. The essence of faith is to believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him. "Faith perceives the universe was created  [founded or framed into existence] spoken of God to the extent that observed comes into existence not from that seen" (Hebrews 11:2). Things are brought into existence by the word of His power. Faith exists things done, things not seen as from the human eye but from faith. There is substance, evidence of things done that are not seen and the reality is perceived through faith. 

blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that according to his great mercy begot us into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading kept in heaven for you, the one in power of God guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Peter goes on to write to rejoice if but for a short time we are sorrowful through trials so that "the proving of your faith (precious more than gold that perishes) proven through fire, now, found to the extent praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ..." (1 Peter 1:6-7). The trial reveals more of the glory of God to us as we have fellowship with Christ in his suffering being conformed to his death to also experience his life. Paul prays that God gives us "a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Him, that the eyes of our hearts are enlightened, knowing the hope to which you are called, the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints and what is the superabundant greatness of his power available to us who believe according to the exercise of his strength..." (Ephesians 1:117-20). 

now we existing of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet, the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Hope of our salvation we put on. Hope is a foundation element of our faith. The purpose of the trial is the glory of God, the glory being we are being conformed to the image of Christ, that which God eternally purposed in Christ and is working out for good in those he has chosen. God's grace and love are unconditional toward his children. But when we mature, becoming like Jesus who is the reflection of His essence then our faith glorifies and pleases God. We experience hope and a  deeper love in Him. The difference is like a father who has two sons, one is obedient, the other disobedient, he loves them both but a deeper love is poured out toward the son who is becoming like him, in that God is pleased. Like as hope doesn't disappoint us as we endure the trial because the glory of God is being revealed in us, that we are bearing fruit, and as such we experience deeper His sustaining, founding love.

now, faith exists... things done, not seen (Hebrews 11:1)

Looking closely at the word translated as things πρᾶγμα (pragma) we find also in this word deeper meaning "a thing done, fact, deed, work." This fits with the idea of being founded and built up in Him. Faith exists things being done in our lives. The Father is glorified in that we bear fruit and if we ask anything it will be done to us. "For we are his work [that which is made or done; a work, workmanship, creation], created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). What comes first, the good works that we do or the work that God does in our lives? The latter produces maturity which bears the fruit of good works and is the fruit of God's creation and works He has done, in which he gets the glory. The first one boasts in human efforts and glories in the accomplishment of men. The latter boasts in the grace and power of God and his sufficiency, boasting in a living hope and giving glory to God. 

now, the reality is found in Christ (Colossians 2:17)

In Christ is the reality of the Christian life, he is the truth, the word of God in which faith comes into existence. He is the head in which we will come to the fullness of God. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, the one we fix our eyes upon. Thus faith's foundation is the reality in Christ. Substance and evidence, hope and proof of things foundational and things being done in our lives by the word of his power. Christ, in whom we are founded and built up in increasing in faith bearing fruit to the glory of God, is the essence, the reality, proof, assurance, confidence, living hope, faith's foundation.


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