Faith is a gift of God to those who have been elected for salvation before the foundation of the world.
I disagree.
2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians
Salvation is the "it" spoken of in verse 8; not the "faith".
11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews
We here have the words, "Now faith is". The subject in this text is "faith"; while the state of being verb "is" shows the action of "faith".
The following words will therefore describe the 'state of being' attributed to the subject, "faith".
"the substance" What is substance?
According to the Merriam Webster's Dictionary 'subtance' means:
Full Definition
"1 a : essential nature : essence b : a fundamental or characteristic part or quality c Christian Science : god
2 a : ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change b : practical importance : meaning, usefulness
3 a : physical material from whichsomething is made or which has discreteexistence b : matter of particular or definitechemical constitution c : something (such as drugs or alcoholicbeverages) deemed harmful and usuallysubject to legal restriction
4 : material possessions : property
The English word "substance" is rendered from the Greek ὑπόστασις which according to Strongs means:
Definition:
From a compound of G5259 and G2476; a setting under (support) that is (figuratively) concretely essence or abstractly assurance (objectively or subjectively): - confidence confident person substance. KJV Usage: confidence (2x), confident (1x), person (1x), substance (1x).
G5259 LSJ Gloss: ὑπό from under, by, c. gen. under, c. dat., towards c. acc.
Dodson:ὑπόby, under, about.
Strong's:ὑπόunder, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at))
LSJ Gloss:ἵστημιto make to stand
Dodson:ἵστημιI cause to stand, standtrans: (a) I make to stand, place, set up, establish, appoint; mid: I place myself, stand, (b) I set in balance, weigh; intrans: (c) I stand, stand by, stand still; met: I stand ready, stand firm, am steadfast.
Strong's:ἵστημιto stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
Derivation: a prolonged form of a primary στάω (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses);
Let's put these definitions together:
1)ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change
2) under
3) cause to stand
Conclusion: The word "substance" means, the ultimate reality that underlies, and causes what is dependent upon it to stand.
What then is this "substance"?
1) 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans
This "substance" is the universe, and everything in it.
The use of the word "creation" shows that God uses the very universe which He created to show mankind Who, and What He is. The Creator God.
2) 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy
1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter
God has given us the Scriptures to give testimony of Himself.
3) 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. John
16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John
God has given us His Holy Spirit to bear witness to us.
4) 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter
5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 1 John
As believers in Christ; God calls us to be witnesses of His greatness. Hence, the "substance" in relation to faith, is the reality of Who Christ is, and it is Who He is that undergirds the believers, and allows them to stand.
"hoped for"
The Merriam Webster defines "hope" as: 1 : to cherish a desire with anticipation :to want something to happen or be true 2 archaic : trust transitive verb 1 : to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment 2 : to expect with confidence : trust
The English word "hope" is rendered from the Greek ἐλπίς which according to Strongs means:
Definition:
From ἔλπω elpō which is a primary word (to anticipate usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence: - faith hope.
Hence, the Biblical word "hope" does not have the meaning of 'wishful thinking' (Oh I 'hope' he wins the race); but rather, an anticipation, or expectation that is full of confidence because of Who it is (God) that is making the promises to us.
Therefore, the first part of what "faith" is can be defined as a confident expectation of God to fulfill His promises.
The second part of the definition of "faith", (separated by a comma [,]) is: "the evidence of things not seen" Merriam Webster defines "evidence" as:
"1 a : an outward sign : indication b : something that furnishes proof :testimony; specifically : something legallysubmitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter
2 : one who bears witness; especially :one who voluntarily confesses a crimeand testifies for the prosecution againsthis accomplices"
The English word "evidence" is rendered from the Greek ἔλεγχος meaning:
"Definition: From G1651; proof conviction: - evidence reproof."
Strongs G1651 is defined as: "ἐλέγχω to confute, admonish"
ελεγχω is the Greek word meaning "I admonish", which is then inflected to mean "proof". A person is admonished when proof (evidence) is provided showing correction is needed.
All the prior things listed above (the creation, the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and the witness of men) are evidence that God has already fulfilled all past promises; and are therefore further evidence of ... "things not seen"
This can be applied two different ways: 1) That which cannot be seen with the physical eye. The Godhead, as shown above in Romans 1:18-21; and 2) Those future things, which are yet to be seen.
That which we can see, the creation, Scripture, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the testimony of believers; is God's 'credit report' as to His faithfulness. Hence, God does not expect us to blindly follow Him; rather, He EXPECTS us to follow Him BECAUSE He has given us EVIDENCE that He is always faithful to keep His Word!
This is precisely why David said in Psalm 138:2 "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."
My father often told me (while growing up), "A man's word is his bond". If a man is found to be a liar, he looses all credibility. God magnifies His Word above all His name because without His Word (always being truthful), His name has no value; He is then found to be unfaithful.
Hence, "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".
Again, "faith" therefore is not a gift, it is the required response to such a preponderance of evidence showing who God is.
Men in the advertising industry place billboards along our roadways knowing that they will be seen. (It would take a blind man, NOT to see them.) Thus it is with the manifold witness of God ... it is so clear, God says in Roman's 1, "they are without excuse".
