Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

HEBREWS 11:3KJV
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Hebrews 11:3 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:3 mean?

Hebrews 11:3 says that by faith, people understand that God created everything that exists simply by speaking, so that what we see was not made out of anything visible. This verse highlights the belief that the universe was formed by God's command, not from pre-existing materials.

The writer of Hebrews is addressing early Christians, encouraging them to trust in things they cannot see. This verse sets the stage for the rest of Hebrews 11, which lists examples of people who lived by faith. The focus is on God’s creative power and the idea that faith allows people to grasp truths that are not obvious to human senses.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:3

  • "faith" (πίστις, pistis): This word means trust or confidence, especially in things not seen or fully understood. Here, it emphasizes that understanding creation is rooted in trust in God, not in direct observation.
  • "worlds" (αἰῶνες, aiōnes): Often translated as "ages" or "worlds," this word can refer to the universe or the entire created order, not just the earth. It suggests a broad, all-encompassing act of creation.
  • "framed" (καταρτίζω, katartizō): This word means to arrange, put in order, or make complete. The verse is saying that God skillfully ordered the universe, not just made it appear.
  • "word" (ῥῆμα, rhēma): This term means a spoken word or utterance. The verse points to the power of God's spoken command as the means by which creation happened.

Why Hebrews 11:3 matters

  • Hebrews 11:3 clarifies that faith is not blind, but is a way of understanding things that cannot be proven by sight or science, especially regarding the origins of the universe.
  • The verse emphasizes that God did not use existing materials to create the world, which was a significant idea in contrast to some ancient beliefs about creation.
  • This verse connects the faith of believers to the very foundation of reality, showing that faith is essential for understanding not just spiritual matters, but the entire created order.

Where else these words appear

“framed” Greek G2675 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

“understand” Greek G3539 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • Mark 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
  • Romans 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:

“appear” Greek G5316 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Matthew 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

“word” Greek G4487 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
  • Acts 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;