Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just stating that we believe God created everything; it's highlighting that how we understand creation is fundamentally an act of faith. It points out that the very foundation of our knowledge about the universe's origin isn't based on what we can see or logically deduce, but on trusting God's declaration that it was made from nothing. This elevates faith beyond just belief in historical events to the bedrock of our understanding of existence itself.
This verse serves as the foundational example of faith, directly following the statement that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It grounds the entire chapter by showing that our understanding of the universe's origin—that it was created by God's powerful command out of nothing—is itself an act of faith, not something we could deduce through observation alone. This establishes that faith is essential for grasping even the most fundamental truths about existence, paving the way for the subsequent examples of faith in action throughout history.
We see the vast universe around us, but how do we truly understand its origin? This verse points to a special kind of understanding, one that goes beyond what our eyes can perceive.
Hebrews 11:3 tells us that 'by faith we understand' creation. This isn't just about believing in God; it's about a way of knowing that relies on divine revelation rather than just human reasoning or observation.
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How did a universe, vast and complex, spring into existence? The text points to a simple yet profound source of power: the spoken word of God.
The verse states that the universe was 'framed by the word of God.' This phrase is incredibly significant, pointing to God's effortless and authoritative action in bringing everything into being.
Where did the 'stuff' of the universe come from? This verse tackles a fundamental question about the very substance of reality, asserting something remarkable about its origin.
The latter part of Hebrews 11:3 declares that 'what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.' This is a profound statement about creation ex nihilo – out of nothing.
Understand the original words
aion · Greek Noun
The totality of created things; the orderly arrangement of the cosmos brought into existence by the direct act of God.
rhema · Greek Noun
The divine utterance or decree; the powerful, active agent by which God brings His will into historical reality and existence.
This is the foundational account of creation by God's word that Hebrews 11:3 directly references, showing faith's role in understanding God's spoken power.
Psalm 33:6-9This psalm echoes the Genesis account, highlighting God's power to create 'by the word of his mouth,' reinforcing the concept of creation by divine utterance.
John 1:1-3This passage identifies Jesus (the Word) as the agent through whom all things were made, offering a theological expansion of 'the word of God' mentioned in Hebrews 11:3.
Romans 1:20This verse explains that God's 'invisible attributes' are 'clearly perceived, being understood' through creation, a concept that complements Hebrews 11:3 by showing how the visible points to the invisible Creator.
This passage speaks of God making things 'out of what does not exist,' which is a strong parallel to the idea in Hebrews 11:3 that the seen world was not made from visible things, emphasizing creation ex nihilo.
cambridgeHebrews 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."
3 . Through faith ] In this chapter we find fifteen special instances of the work of faith, besides the summary enumeration in the 32nd and following verses. we understand ] ‘we apprehend with the reason’. See Romans 1:20 . that the worlds were framed ] The word for “worlds” means literally ages ( Hebrews 1:2 ), i.e. the world regarde…
barnesHebrews 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."
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed - The first instance of the strength of faith which the apostle refers to is that by which we give credence to the declarations in the Scriptures about the work of creation; Genesis 1:1 . This is selected first, evidently because it is the first thing that occurs in the Bible, or…
The verse isn't just stating that we believe God created everything; it's highlighting that how we understand creation is fundamentally an act of faith. It points out that the very foundation of our knowledge about the universe's origin isn't based on what we can see or logically deduce, but on trusting God's declaration that it was made from nothing. This elevates faith beyond just belief in historical events to the bedrock of our understanding of existence itself.
This verse serves as the foundational example of faith, directly following the statement that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It grounds the entire chapter by showing that our understanding of the universe's origin—that it was created by God's powerful command out of nothing—is itself an act of faith, not something we could deduce through observation alone. This establishes that faith is essential for grasping even the most fundamental truths about existence, paving the way for the subsequent examples of faith in action throughout history.
This verse serves as the foundational example of faith, directly following the statement that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It grounds the entire chapter by showing that our understanding of the universe's origin—that it was created by God's powerful command out of nothing—is itself an act of faith, not something we could deduce through observation alone. This establishes that faith is essential for grasping even the most fundamental truths about existence, paving the way for the subsequent examples of faith in action throughout history.
"By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." — The verse isn't just stating that we believe God created everything; it's highlighting that how we understand creation is fundamentally an act of faith. It points out that the very foundation of ou…
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