Now faith exists assurance, hope, proving of things not seen. For in these the elders testified (Hebrews 11:1-2)
Faith exists assurance, ὑπόστασις (hypostasis, from hypo "under' and histemi "stand"), meaning support, substance, steadiness, and assurance. Assurance is defined as the act of assuring; a declaration tending to inspire full confidence; that which is designed to give confidence.* Also as the state of being assured; firm persuasion; confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certainty. Faith exists assurance which is the act of assuring, designed to give confidence and trust.
Confidence is defined as the act of trusting, or putting trust in. There is a difference between assurance and confidence. Faith's assurance is designed to give confidence in God but confidence by itself can be a state of mind characterized by one's reliance on self, and circumstances, having a feeling of self-sufficiency and assurance which leads to a feeling of security; self-reliance.*
Some say that faith is putting trust or confidence in God. But why doesn't Paul define faith this way, as putting trust and confidence in God? He used the word assurance to define faith. Surely, assurance is designed to give confidence but assurance speaks of there existing an underlying substance (outside of ourselves) that gives confidence and trust. Faith exists to build confidence and trust in God.
Faith is also hope, and hope like confidence that comes from assurance is totally inspired by God. We rejoice in hope sharing in the glory of God and can rejoice in suffering because hope doesn't disappoint as God's love is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romas 5:1-6). We are birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3). Surely, we see how hope comes from God. To understand more let us also look at how faith is a proving.
in which rejoice, if at the present it is necessary for a short time to be sorrowful in various trials, so that the proving of your faith (more precious than gold that perishes) proven by fire now found to the extent of your praise and glory and honor in revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-9)
Another word Paul uses to define faith is ἔλεγχος (elenchos) a trial in order to proof, a proof; meton. a certain persuasion. Peter writes the purpose of the trial is to prove our faith, as by fire. Some translations say the trial is a testing of the genuineness of our faith. Certainly, the trial exposes whether our confidence is based upon faith's assurance or whether it is based on self-reliance, self-confidence, or upon earthly circumstances. It is easy to say we have strong faith when we our earthly circumstances are good but what happens when they are not, do we still have confidence and trust in God? The trial proves our faith and works to strengthen and mature us in faith, if we look intently into the law of liberty, the words of Jesus.
Faith is πίστις (pistis) meaning belief, a firm persuasion having the root word pistis meaning "persuade, be persuaded" –properly, persuasion (be persuaded, come to trust.) Faith is always a gift from God and can not be produced by ourselves. Jesus is the author and maturer of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The only way we can have faith is that it is gifted from God which comes through the words of Christ. (Romans 10:17). As believing occurs in the heart, so Christ dwells in our hearts through faith (Romans 10:8-9; Ephesians 3:17). Thus the word is near you in your inner being and in your heart.
now believing in him you rejoice with joy unspeakable and glory, obtaining the goal of your faith; salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Faith works to persuade us in believing (in which new birth occurs of our spirit) and continues to work (when we hear and read the words of Jesus, he being the author and maturer of faith) so that we are persuaded and have confidence of that which God has promised he will certainly do. The proving of faith brings about persuasion, and assurance that produces confidence. This is the faith of Abraham that we read about. Certainly, Abraham had doubt, he tried to bring about the promise of an heir through a maidservant even though God had promised an heir through Sarah.
but [Abraham] did not judge according to unbelief in regards to the promise but was empowered of faith, giving glory to God, and fully convinced that what God promised he also is powerful to do (Romans 4:20-21).
This is the goal of faith to fully convince (πληροφορέω (plērophoreō) or bring to full measure, so as to be fully persuaded. God is working out our salvation through the persuasion of faith so that we are empowered in it becoming fully convinced of who he is and of his promises. Faith exists assurance and assurance is the substance, and support that our trust and confidence in God is founded.