Faith (wek^vm) Heb. 11:1-31

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 Faith  (wek^vm)  Heb. 11:1-31

In the Bible, Faith is trust and reliance on God who is himself trustworthy. The New Testament and the Greek Old Testament express the understanding of faith primarily with two terms ‘pistis and pisteuein’ which is related to the primary OT verb ‘to be true’ or ‘to be trust wordy’ (aman). The Old Testament concept is more profound to describe faith.  Hebrew ‘aman’ is the root word faith, and this term conveys the sense of "reliability, stability" and "firmness." The hiphil verb from of  ‘aman’ means "to be certain, sure" or "to be assured" (cf.Gen 15:6; Ex 14:31; Num 14:11; Deut 1:32, 9:23; Ps 78:22; Isa 43:10; Jonah 3:5). "Faith" is not blind or a leap into the unknown, but instead founded on truth certain of a real God and the absolute reality of His words. Pistis this Greek term means essentially "faith" or "a trustful human response to God's self revelation via His words or actions." in the New Testament, pisteuo is consistently in reference to the saving faith and trust of a believer with a focus on the promises of God made through instruments such as Moses (John 5:46), prophets (Luke 24:25; Acts 26:27), angels (Luke 1:20-45; Acts 27:25) and Scripture (John 2:22; Acts 24:14).

‘Pistis’ describes a personal relationship to Christ and 'Aman’ relationship with God. In the Old Testament sense, faith in God meant obedience to the Law and trust in God's covenant faithfulness. In the New Testament sense, faith in Christ meant belief in His deity, trust in His work of atonement and hope of future salvation. Faith acknowledges the truth of the past with a confidence of the future.

Perfection (c~Y©Zv) (Heb.5:12-14;6:1;2:10; ;7:28;5:9)

In the Old Testament, the most common Hebrew term for ‘perfect’ can be applied to God as perfect in knowledge, justice fidelity and promise keeping (Job 37:16; Deut. 32:4; 2Sam. 22:31; Ps. 18:30); his law is perfect (cf. Ps. 19:7).  It is also applied to persons the same term means ‘blameless’ (Gen.6:9), upright (Prov. 2:21) and observant of the law (Ps.119:1). The New Testament term for   ‘perfect’ can mean ‘mature’ (1 Cor. 2:6; Heb. 5:14) and the noun means ‘maturity’ (Heb. 6:1). The command to perfect in Matt. 5:48 ‘merciful’, in Lk 6:36 means to be complete or inclusive in love. Christ became perfect through his sufferings (Heb.2:10; 5:9; 7:28). Jesus was the perfect example of what it means to live in obedience to the Father’s will. Nowhere are human considered perfect but readers are exhorted to be perfect or whole by steadfast faith (James 1:4). Paul says that he has not yet attained perfection (Phil. 3f:12); that will be realized only in the life to come (Phil. 3:8-21). Perfection is a gift bestowed by Christ (Heb. 10:14) the Bible explicitly state that God is by nature perfect: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Promise (cÖwZkÖæwZ;cÖwZÁv) (Heb.11:39; 12:26)

Promise is an assurance of some future act. Although absent as a specific term in the Old Testament, the concept of promise runs throughout its narrative. The prediction of innumerable offspring to childless Abraham and Sarah (15:5;17:6-7), of a land for Israel (Gen. 15:18-21), of the perpetual rule of David’s descendants (2 Sam. 7:16) and of a future world to God’s liking (is 11:1-9) all function implicitly as promise. Later Jewish traditions link God’s promises to the future world, giving it an eschatological character. The Syrian Apocalypse of Baruck says that already in Abraham ‘ the promise of future life was planted’ (57:2) and will be harvested in the future world promised by God (14:13).  In the New Testament, the word promise both as noun and verb is used extensively. Paul found scriptural authority for his Gentile mission in God’s promise to Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed (Rom. 4:9-25) Through faith, God’s promise was being fulfilled and Gentiles were becoming Abraham’s offspring (Rom. 4:16). The author of Hebrews sees in Jesus the realization of the promises given to but not realized by the ancients (Heb. 11:39-40). Even though the new promises surpass the old (Heb. 8:6), the inheritance even of the new is uncertain without obedience (Heb 4:1; 6:11-16; 10:36). He is the promised Messianic salvation (Heb. 12:26). Christian obtain the promised reward by doing the will of God (Heb. 10:36)

Endurance (ah©¨kxjZv, mwnòz) Heb.12:1-3; 12:7; 6:15

Endurance comes from a compound Greek word ‘hupo’ (under) and ‘meno’ (to remain). Literally, it means endurance under pressure, under testing, under trials. There are three wonderful results of endurance. Endurance brings perfection, peace and a promise.

As Christians, we should have grown to the point that we know that the "testing of our faith produces endurance" (Jas.l:3). Trials are like an uncomfortable furnace but it is beneficial because it tells us how genuine our faith is. And when our faith has been tested and we pass the test, it produces endurance within us. The book of Job demonstrates the fact that a faithful man will bear any form of trial rather than forsake God. It shows clearly the struggle and suffering but he still endures in his faith toward God. God is not interested in seeing His children falter and fail. He wants us to endure, overcome and win the victory crown. Indeed, the trials and testings of life are hard and difficult but it fruit is sweet. There can be no victory without endurance. If we don't bear the cross, we can't wear the crown. If we want to be victorious, we have got to endure.

 Superiority (gnvb) Heb1:4-14; 11:1-40

Superiority is all about the supremacy of Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is the perfect image of God. In Hebrews chapter one paints a wonderful picture of how He is superior to the angels because of His redemptive work on the cross. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father and was sent to communicate to us the true nature of God. By understanding who Jesus is and what He said, we can know the fullness of God's nature and character. Christ is superior to the prophets, angels, Moses and Aaron’s priesthood. Faith, hope and love in Christ is superior to Judaism. 

Christ is a Superior High Priest because His origin in heaven and His two-way meditation between God and man proved to be greater than Aaron. The nature of Aaron’s priesthood moved only from man to God. God chose Aaron from among men and clothed in him in priestly glory. His holy garments gave him a holy splendor, which represented God’s presence to the people. But underneath, he was entirely human Jesus could sympathize with hurting, defiled, sinful people without fear of becoming unclean. When Jesus approached the people he represented as priest, he did not look down upon them with scorn or run past them afraid of defiling himself.

Witness (mvÿ¨`vb) Heb.12:1

In the Old Testament the word "witness" is derived from the Hebrew root word, ‘ed’, meaning "to repeat or re-assert." Two ways of use Witness means evidence and witness  means the person who testifie. The Old Testament shows several examples of “witness" meaning evidence or proof. Some witnesses were in writing. A legal divorce had to be accompanied by a written document (Deuteronomy 24:1, 3; Isaiah 50:1). Witnesses also can signify evil. Idols witness to the worthlessness of the false gods they represent (Isaiah 44:9). Job claims his wrinkles witness of God's wrath against him (Job 16:8).  The other type of Old Testament witness is the person who witnesses or can testify for others for legal purposes.

In the New Testament, the word "witness" is derived from the various forms of the Greek word martus, which means "record," "report," "evidence given" or "testimony."  In the New Testament witness means referring to a person preset at the ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus (Lk. 24:48; Acts. 1:22) and to one who attests ot the truth about God (Jh. 8:18). The cloud of witness in Heb. 12:1 compares the multitude who have suffered but retained their faith to the great crowd of spectators. Martyr is derived from the same Greek word as witness.

Inheritance (DËivwaKvi) Heb. 9:15; 11:8

Inheritance derived from Hebrew ‘nahalah’ means “something inherited,” “occupancy,” “heirloom,” “estate,” “portion”. The focus of the inheritance concept in the Old Testament is God's promise to Abraham.The nation is described as God's inheritance ( 1 Kings 8:51 1 Kings 8:53 ; Psalm 78:71 ; Isa 19:25 ; Zech 2:12 ) whom the Lord will never forsake ( Psalm 94:14 ). The Lord is conversely described as the inheritance of the nation ( Psalm 16:5 ). The privileged position of Israel as God's chosen people placed them at the center of God's plans for blessing.

In the New Testament on one occasion refused to judge the rectitude of an unequal inheritance (Lk. 112:13). He also told parables involving such bequests (Mtt. 21:38; Lk.15:12). The Pauline letters speak of God’s kingdom or of salvation as inheritance (Eph.5:5; Col.3:24; Heb.9; 15; 1Pet. 1:4)  "to obtain an inheritance" (Mt 21:38; Lk 12:13;Heb 1:4; 9:15; 11:8). Three major characters dominate the inheritance usage in the New Testament: Abraham, Christ, and the believer. The initial promise to Abraham of the land of Canaan (Heb 11:8) is broadened to include "the world" ( Rom 4:13). The New Testament concentrates on the means by which he received the

inheritance: God's promise and Abraham's faith, not by works of the law ( Rom 4:14; Gal 3:18). The second major character is Jesus Christ. His prominent position as the Son of God uniquely qualifies him as God's heir. He is presented as the heir of all things ( Hebrews 1:2 Hebrews 1:4 ) and the promises of God's kingdom are focused in him ( Matt 21:38 ).



BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.  ACHTEMEIER, Paul J. gen. ed.: “Harper’s Bible Dictionary”, Bangalore, Theological publications in India, 1999.

2.  FARMER, William R. ed.: “The International Bible Commentary”, Bangalore, Theological publications in India, 1998.

 


 

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