Thursday, June 28, 2012

Hebrews 11:1

"Now trust is an under-standing, a deep presence, of things hoped for, a making-visible of things not seen."

The etymology of the Greek word usually translated as "substance" in this first verse of chapter eleven, stems from two words: to "stand under".  So as not to mislead the English reader, the phrase in italics "a deep presence" is added.  The first use of this word in Hebrews is found in 1:3, "the carving of his under-standing, his deep presence."  Jesus has the character or "carving" of God's deepest attributes.  Similarly our trust is also a standing-under, a deep presence, of that for which we hope.  And further, our trust is a making visible of things that cannot be otherwise seen.

Genuine trust is felt deeply AND also makes visible in our lives our most deeply held beliefs.

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