Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

1) What does the word assurance mean?
The word assurance in the original Greek language means “the steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage, resolution, that which has foundation, is firm, substance.”

2) What is the greater context of this verse?
The entirety of chapter 11 gives us countless examples throughout the Old and New Testament of those who have gone before and walked a faithful road. Some call this chapter in Hebrews the “hall of faith”. Just before this in chapter 10, we see the writer of Hebrews talking about the confidence we have as believers to enter into the holy places because of the sacrifice of Jesus. The writer is pointing to all the benefits of our faith and then he goes on in chapter 11 to define it.

3) Where else in Scripture could I study faith?
The Bible is saturated with humanity’s trials and triumphs regarding their faith. Psalms is filled with verses talking about God’s faithfulness. The entire chapter 11 gives specific examples of people who triumphed in their faith. It would be easy to start with the first person mentioned and read their story.

1) What does the word assurance mean?
Often we read Scripture and forget that it wasn’t written in English. I read a word like assurance and I think I know what it means, but using a useful tool like www.studylight.org helps me to grasp a deeper, more specific definition. In this case we see that the writer’s intention is for us as the reader to understand that our faith is the foundation of our hope, the substance of why we believe. It is the steadfastness of mind to trust that God is who He says He is, and despite answers we don’t like, we can believe that God knows best. He is enough and He is able even when it seems He is absent, He is not!

2) What is the greater context of this verse?
Reading this verse alone gives us a Biblical definition of faith. Reading in the greater context of chapter 11 and even the chapter 10 before it helps us to grasp that we are not alone in this fight for faith. We can look back at heroes of Scripture and see that there are those who questioned God, but remained faithful. There are those who walked the road that God intended, even when it was hard. It is a challenge when we read a passage like this to look at our own faith and question, is my faith that big? Do I really believe God? Not just in Him, but truly trust Him with the assurance of hope that comes from a personal relationship with Him.

3) Where else in scripture can I study faith?
Let Scripture interpret Scripture. By this I mean, when you question and study Scripture look to other Scripture to help you gain a greater understanding about it. Allow yourself to desire the Word so deeply that when you read something, it nourishes your soul, but it also pushes you to want to know more. Paul prayed this very thing for the Ephesians. “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1:16-18.

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We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
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