In preaching on Hebrews 11:1 a couple of weeks back I noticed an interesting trend. The AV reads:
"Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen." Notice how faith is defined objectively by this rendering. This rendering is also supported by many commentaries and BAGD lexicon as well.
Now see how most of the popular modern translations treat this verse (the NKJV retains the same language as the AV).
NASB/ESV: "Now faith is the
assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen."
NIV: "Now faith is
being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see."
It is interesting that all these modern versions focus on the subjective aspect of faith. Now of course, faith does have this subjective aspect. Nevertheless, the
point of Hebrews 11 is not about subjective assurance and conviction. The overarching point is that by faith we objectively lay hold of that same reality which the OT fathers laid hold of and thus we, like they are enabled to perservere. Faith in Hebrews is more than assurance; it reaches outside of itself to the objective, eternal, heavenly, unseen realities.
