By Faith

Now faith is the solid ground of what we hope for, the proof of things we cannot see.

Ἔστινto be δὲnow, but πίστιςfaith, trust ἐλπιζομένωνto hope ὑπόστασις,solid ground, substance, assurance πραγμάτωνthing, matter ἔλεγχοςproof, conviction οὐnot βλεπομένων·to see

For by faith the people of old received God's approval.

ἐνin, by ταύτῃthis γὰρfor ἐμαρτυρήθησανto bear witness, attest οἱthe πρεσβύτεροι.elder, person of old

By faith we understand that the universe was formed by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

πίστειfaith, trust νοοῦμενto understand, perceive κατηρτίσθαιto form, put in order τοὺςthe αἰῶναςage; the ages, the universe ῥήματιspoken word θεοῦ,God εἰςinto, so that τὸthe μὴnot ἐκout of, from φαινομένωνto appear, be visible τὸthe βλεπόμενονto see γεγονέναι.to come to be, be made

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did, and through it he was approved as righteous, God himself bearing witness to his gifts. And through his faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Πίστειfaith, trust πλείοναmuch, great; here 'better, greater' θυσίανsacrifice ἍβελAbel παρὰthan, beside ΚάϊνCain προσήνεγκενto offer, bring τῷthe θεῷ,God δι’through ἧςwho, which ἐμαρτυρήθηto bear witness, attest εἶναιto be δίκαιος,righteous μαρτυροῦντοςto bear witness, attest ἐπὶupon, concerning τοῖςthe δώροιςgift αὐτοῦhe, his, it τοῦthe θεοῦ,God καὶand, also δι’through αὐτῆςhe, his, it ἀποθανὼνto die ἔτιstill, yet λαλεῖ.to speak

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and he could not be found, because God had taken him. For before he was taken, he was approved as one who pleased God.

Πίστειfaith, trust ἙνὼχEnoch μετετέθηto remove, take away, transfer τοῦthe μὴnot ἰδεῖνto see θάνατον,death καὶand, also οὐχnot ηὑρίσκετοto find διότιbecause μετέθηκενto remove, take away, transfer αὐτὸνhe, his, it ὁthe θεός·God πρὸbefore γὰρfor τῆςthe μεταθέσεωςremoval, taking away μεμαρτύρηταιto bear witness, attest εὐαρεστηκέναιto please τῷthe θεῷ,God

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 seek him.

χωρὶςwithout, apart from δὲnow, but πίστεωςfaith, trust ἀδύνατονimpossible εὐαρεστῆσαι,to please πιστεῦσαιto believe γὰρfor δεῖit is necessary (δεῖ) τὸνthe προσερχόμενονto come to, approach τῷthe θεῷGod ὅτιthat ἔστινto be καὶand, also τοῖςthe ἐκζητοῦσινto seek out αὐτὸνhe, his, it μισθαποδότηςrewarder, one who pays back γίνεται.to come to be, be made

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, took the warning to heart and built an ark to save his household. By his faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

πίστειfaith, trust χρηματισθεὶςI warn, am publicly called ΝῶεNoah περὶabout, concerning, around τῶνthe μηδέπωnot yet βλεπομένωνto see εὐλαβηθεὶςI fear, am anxious κατεσκεύασενI build, prepare, make κιβωτὸνan ark εἰςinto, so that σωτηρίανdeliverance, salvation τοῦthe οἴκουa house, household αὐτοῦ,he, his, it δι’through ἧςwho, which κατέκρινενI condemn τὸνthe κόσμον,the world, universe καὶand, also τῆςthe κατὰdown from, against, according to, throughout, during πίστινfaith, trust δικαιοσύνηςjustice, justness, righteousness ἐγένετοto come to be, be made κληρονόμος.an heir, inheritor

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance, and he went out not knowing where he was going.

Πίστειfaith, trust καλούμενοςI call, invite, name ἈβραὰμAbraham ὑπήκουσενI listen, obey ἐξελθεῖνI go out, come out εἰςinto, so that τόπονa place ὃνwho, which ἤμελλενI am about to λαμβάνεινI receive, take εἰςinto, so that κληρονομίαν,an inheritance καὶand, also ἐξῆλθενI go out, come out μὴnot ἐπιστάμενοςI know, understand ποῦsomewhere ἔρχεται.I come, go

By faith he lived as a foreigner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

πίστειfaith, trust παρῴκησενI sojourn εἰςinto, so that γῆνthe earth, soil, land τῆςthe ἐπαγγελίαςa promise ὡςas, like as, how, while, so that ἀλλοτρίαν,belonging to another person, foreign ἐνin, by σκηναῖςa tent, tabernacle κατοικήσαςI dwell in, settle in, inhabit μετὰwith, after ἸσαὰκIsaac καὶand, also ἸακὼβJacob τῶνthe συγκληρονόμωνa joint heir, participant τῆςthe ἐπαγγελίαςa promise τῆςthe αὐτῆς·he, his, it

For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

ἐξεδέχετοI wait for, expect γὰρfor τὴνthe τοὺςthe θεμελίουςbelonging to the foundation ἔχουσανI have, hold, possess πόλιν,a city ἧςwho, which τεχνίτηςa craftsman, artisan καὶand, also δημιουργὸςan artisan, builder ὁthe θεός.God

By faith even Sarah herself, who was barren, received power to conceive, even though she was past the age, since she considered the one who had promised to be faithful.

πίστειfaith, trust καὶand, also αὐτῇhe, his, it ΣάρρᾳSarah δύναμινmight, power, marvelous works εἰςinto, so that καταβολὴνa foundation, depositing, sowing σπέρματοςseed, offspring ἔλαβενI receive, take καὶand, also παρὰthan, beside καιρὸνfitting season, opportunity, time ἡλικίας,age, stature ἐπεὶafter, for, since, otherwise πιστὸνtrustworthy, faithful, believing ἡγήσατοI lead, think τὸνthe ἐπαγγειλάμενον·I promise, profess

And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as many as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

διὸwherefore καὶand, also ἀφ’from, away from ἑνὸςinto, in, among, till, for ἐγεννήθησαν,I beget, bring forth, give birth to καὶand, also ταῦταthis νενεκρωμένου,I put to death, render weak καθὼςjust as, as τὰthe ἄστραa star τοῦthe οὐρανοῦthe sky, the heaven τῷthe πλήθειa multitude καὶand, also ὡςas, like as, how, while, so that ἡthe ἄμμοςsand ἡthe παρὰthan, beside τὸthe χεῖλοςa lip, mouth, shore τῆςthe θαλάσσηςthe sea, lake ἡthe ἀναρίθμητος.uncountable, innumerable

All these people died in faith without receiving the things promised. They saw them from a distance and welcomed them, and they admitted that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Κατὰdown from, against, according to, throughout, during πίστινfaith, trust ἀπέθανονto die οὗτοιthis πάντες,all, the whole, every kind of μὴnot λαβόντεςI receive, take τὰςthe ἐπαγγελίας,a promise ἀλλὰbut, except πόρρωθενfrom afar, far off αὐτὰςhe, his, it ἰδόντεςto see καὶand, also ἀσπασάμενοι,I greet, salute, pay my respects to καὶand, also ὁμολογήσαντεςI confess, profess, acknowledge, praise ὅτιthat ξένοιnew, novel, a foreigner καὶand, also παρεπίδημοίresiding in a strange country, a stranger εἰσινto be ἐπὶupon, concerning τῆςthe γῆς.the earth, soil, land

People who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a homeland.

οἱthe γὰρfor τοιαῦταof such a kind, such λέγοντεςI say, speak ἐμφανίζουσινI make visible, report against, appear before ὅτιthat πατρίδαfatherland ἐπιζητοῦσιν.I seek after, desire, search for

If they had been thinking about the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

καὶand, also εἰif μὲνtruly, indeed ἐκείνηςthat, that one there, yonder μνημονεύουσινI remember, make mention of ἀφ’from, away from ἧςwho, which ἐξέβησαν,  εἶχονI have, hold, possess ἂνan untranslatable word that makes a statement contingent καιρὸνfitting season, opportunity, time ἀνακάμψαι·I return

But as it is, they long for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

νῦνnow, already, at present δὲnow, but κρείττονοςstronger, more excellent ὀρέγονται,  τοῦτ’this ἔστινto be ἐπουρανίου.heavenly, celestial διὸwherefore οὐκnot ἐπαισχύνεταιI am ashamed αὐτοὺςhe, his, it ὁthe θεὸςGod θεὸςGod ἐπικαλεῖσθαιI call by an additional name, appeal to αὐτῶν,he, his, it ἡτοίμασενI make ready, prepare γὰρfor αὐτοῖςhe, his, it πόλιν.a city

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his one and only son,

Πίστειfaith, trust προσενήνοχενto offer, bring ἈβραὰμAbraham τὸνthe ἸσαὰκIsaac πειραζόμενος,I try, tempt, test καὶand, also τὸνthe μονογενῆonly, only-begotten, unique προσέφερενto offer, bring ὁthe τὰςthe ἐπαγγελίαςa promise ἀναδεξάμενος,I welcome, receive kindly, undertake

even though God had said to him, 'Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.'

πρὸςto, towards, with ὃνwho, which ἐλαλήθηto speak ὅτιthat Ἐνin, by ἸσαὰκIsaac κληθήσεταίI call, invite, name σοιyou σπέρμα,seed, offspring

He reasoned that God was able even to raise the dead, and in a sense he did receive Isaac back from the dead.

λογισάμενοςI reckon, count, decide ὅτιthat καὶand, also ἐκout of, from νεκρῶνdead, a corpse ἐγείρεινI wake, arouse, raise up δυνατὸςpowerful, able, possible ὁthe θεός·God ὅθενwhence, wherefore αὐτὸνhe, his, it καὶand, also ἐνin, by παραβολῇa parable, comparison ἐκομίσατο.I bring, receive, recover

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

Πίστειfaith, trust καὶand, also περὶabout, concerning, around μελλόντωνI am about to εὐλόγησενI bless ἸσαὰκIsaac τὸνthe ἸακὼβJacob καὶand, also τὸνthe Ἠσαῦ.Esau

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

πίστειfaith, trust ἸακὼβJacob ἀποθνῄσκωνto die ἕκαστονeach, every one τῶνthe υἱῶνa son, descendent ἸωσὴφJoseph εὐλόγησεν,I bless καὶand, also προσεκύνησενI worship ἐπὶupon, concerning τὸthe ἄκρονthe end, extremity τῆςthe ῥάβδουa rod, staff αὐτοῦ.he, his, it

By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.

πίστειfaith, trust ἸωσὴφJoseph τελευτῶνI end, finish, die περὶabout, concerning, around τῆςthe ἐξόδουan exit, departure, death τῶνthe υἱῶνa son, descendent ἸσραὴλIsrael ἐμνημόνευσεν,I remember, make mention of καὶand, also περὶabout, concerning, around τῶνthe ὀστέωνa bone αὐτοῦhe, his, it ἐνετείλατο.I give orders, command

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

Πίστειfaith, trust Μωϋσῆς  γεννηθεὶςI beget, bring forth, give birth to ἐκρύβηI hide, conceal, lay up τρίμηνον  ὑπὸby, under, about τῶνthe πατέρωνfather, Father, ancestor αὐτοῦ,he, his, it διότιbecause εἶδονto see ἀστεῖονelegant, pretty, fair, fine, beautiful τὸthe παιδίονa little child, an infant καὶand, also οὐκnot ἐφοβήθησανI fear, am terrified τὸthe διάταγμαa mandate, decree τοῦthe βασιλέως.a king, ruler, emperor

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

πίστειfaith, trust Μωϋσῆς  μέγαςlarge, great γενόμενοςto come to be, be made ἠρνήσατοI deny, repudiate λέγεσθαιI say, speak υἱὸςa son, descendent θυγατρὸςa daughter Φαραώ,Pharaoh

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

μᾶλλονmore, rather ἑλόμενος  συγκακουχεῖσθαι  τῷthe λαῷa people, the crowd τοῦthe θεοῦGod ἢor, than πρόσκαιρονtemporary ἔχεινI have, hold, possess ἁμαρτίαςa sin ἀπόλαυσιν,the faculty or experience of enjoyment

He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to the reward.

μείζοναlarge, great πλοῦτονriches, wealth ἡγησάμενοςI lead, think τῶνthe ΑἰγύπτουEgypt θησαυρῶνa treasure, store τὸνthe ὀνειδισμὸνreproach, reviling τοῦthe Χριστοῦ,anointed, the Messiah, the Christ ἀπέβλεπενI look away from, turn my attention to γὰρfor εἰςinto, so that τὴνthe μισθαποδοσίαν.reward, due punishment

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger, for he persevered as if he could see the one who is invisible.

πίστειfaith, trust κατέλιπενI leave behind, abandon Αἴγυπτον,Egypt μὴnot φοβηθεὶςI fear, am terrified τὸνthe θυμὸνan outburst of passion, wrath τοῦthe βασιλέως,a king, ruler, emperor τὸνthe γὰρfor ἀόρατονunseen, invisible ὡςas, like as, how, while, so that ὁρῶνto see ἐκαρτέρησεν.I persevere, endure

By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.

πίστειfaith, trust πεποίηκενI do, make τὸthe πάσχαthe feast of Passover, the Passover lamb καὶand, also τὴνthe πρόσχυσινa sprinkling τοῦthe αἵματος,blood ἵναin order that, so that μὴnot ὁthe ὀλοθρεύωνI destroy τὰthe πρωτότοκαfirst-born θίγῃI touch, handle αὐτῶν.he, his, it

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to do the same, they were drowned.

Πίστειfaith, trust διέβησανI cross, pass through τὴνthe Ἐρυθρὰνred Θάλασσανthe sea, lake ὡςas, like as, how, while, so that διὰthrough ξηρᾶςdry, withered, dry land γῆς,the earth, soil, land ἧςwho, which πεῖρανa trial, experiment λαβόντεςI receive, take οἱthe ΑἰγύπτιοιEgyptian κατεπόθησαν.I swallow, devour, destroy

By faith the walls of Jericho fell after the people had marched around them for seven days.

πίστειfaith, trust τὰthe τείχηa wall ἸεριχὼJericho ἔπεσανI fall, fall under κυκλωθένταI encircle, besiege, surround ἐπὶupon, concerning ἑπτὰseven ἡμέρας.a day

By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies in peace.

πίστειfaith, trust ῬαὰβRahab ἡthe πόρνηa prostitute οὐnot συναπώλετο  τοῖςthe ἀπειθήσασιν,I disobey, rebel, am disloyal δεξαμένηI take, receive, accept, welcome τοὺςthe κατασκόπουςa spy μετ’with, after εἰρήνης.peace, peace of mind

And what more shall I say? Time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

Καὶand, also τίany one, some one ἔτιstill, yet λέγω;I say, speak ἐπιλείψειI fail, fall short μεI γὰρfor διηγούμενονI relate in full, describe ὁthe χρόνοςtime, a particular time, season περὶabout, concerning, around Γεδεών,Gideon Βαράκ,Barak Σαμψών,Samson Ἰεφθάε,Jephthah ΔαυίδDavid τεand, both καὶand, also ΣαμουὴλSamuel καὶand, also τῶνthe προφητῶν,a prophet, poet

who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,

οἳwho, which διὰthrough πίστεωςfaith, trust κατηγωνίσαντοI subdue βασιλείας,kingship, sovereignty, authority, rule, kingdom εἰργάσαντοI word, trade, do δικαιοσύνην,justice, justness, righteousness ἐπέτυχονI attain, obtain, acquire ἐπαγγελιῶν,a promise ἔφραξανI stop, close up στόματαthe mouth, speech λεόντων,a lion

quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in battle, and routed foreign armies.

ἔσβεσανI extinguish, suppress δύναμινmight, power, marvelous works πυρός,fire, trials ἔφυγονI flee, escape, shun στόματαthe mouth, speech μαχαίρης,a sword ἐδυναμώθησανI empower, fill with power ἀπὸfrom, away from ἀσθενείας,want of strength, weakness, illness ἐγενήθησανto come to be, be made ἰσχυροὶstrong, mighty, powerful ἐνin, by πολέμῳ,a war, battle, strife παρεμβολὰςa camp, barracks, army in battle array ἔκλινανI rest, recline, make to yield ἀλλοτρίων·belonging to another person, foreign

Women received their dead back by resurrection. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might obtain a better resurrection.

ἔλαβονI receive, take γυναῖκεςa woman, wife, my lady ἐξout of, from ἀναστάσεωςa rising again, resurrection τοὺςthe νεκροὺςdead, a corpse αὐτῶν·he, his, it ἄλλοιother, another, different δὲnow, but ἐτυμπανίσθησαν,I torture, break on the wheel οὐnot προσδεξάμενοιI expect, welcome, accept τὴνthe ἀπολύτρωσιν,redemption, deliverance ἵναin order that, so that κρείττονοςstronger, more excellent ἀναστάσεωςa rising again, resurrection τύχωσιν·I obtain, I happen, perhaps

Others experienced mocking and flogging, and even chains and prison.

ἕτεροιanother, different δὲnow, but ἐμπαιγμῶνmockery καὶand, also μαστίγωνa scourge, lash, sufferings πεῖρανa trial, experiment ἔλαβον,I receive, take ἔτιstill, yet δὲnow, but δεσμῶνa bond, chain καὶand, also φυλακῆς·a watching, guard, prison, imprisonment

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, mistreated.

ἐλιθάσθησαν,I stone ἐπρίσθησαν,I saw, saw through ἐνin, by φόνῳmurder, slaughter μαχαίρηςa sword ἀπέθανον,to die περιῆλθονI move about, make a circuit, tack ἐνin, by μηλωταῖς,a sheepskin ἐνin, by αἰγείοιςof a goat δέρμασιν,a hide, skin ὑστερούμενοι,I am lacking, fall short, suffer need θλιβόμενοι,I make narrow, persecute, press hard κακουχούμενοι, 

The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in caves and holes in the ground.

ὧνwho, which οὐκnot ἦνto be ἄξιοςworthy, worthy of, deserving ὁthe κόσμοςthe world, universe ἐπὶupon, concerning ἐρημίαιςa desert place πλανώμενοιI lead astray, deceive καὶand, also ὄρεσιa mountain καὶand, also σπηλαίοιςa cave, den καὶand, also ταῖςthe ὀπαῖςa crevice, cave τῆςthe γῆς·the earth, soil, land

And all these, though they were approved through their faith, did not receive what was promised,

καὶand, also πάντεςall, the whole, every kind of μαρτυρηθέντεςto bear witness, attest διὰthrough τῆςthe πίστεωςfaith, trust οὐκnot ἐκομίσαντοI bring, receive, recover τὴνthe ἐπαγγελίαν,a promise

since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.

τοῦthe θεοῦGod περὶabout, concerning, around ἡμῶνI κρεῖττόνstronger, more excellent τιany one, some one προβλεψαμένου,I provide, foresee ἵναin order that, so that μὴnot χωρὶςwithout, apart from ἡμῶνI τελειωθῶσιν.I complete, accomplish, make perfect