faith is the key

So, somebody quotes Hebrews 11.1 using words I ... don't agree with.

There's a point being made at this stage of the letter, and the words they used degrade, or lessen the impact.

Here are 4 versions:-

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

HCS - Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

NIV - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

NKJV - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The coloured words are my concern.

Read them and see if you pick up a difference in meaning.

I do.

Faith is virtually everything with God, right 'behind' love (1Cor 13.13). Hebrews 11.6 - without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

God has made faith the key (check Romans 4). The point (I think) the author is making is that faith is the substance of our hope (NKJ), it makes it real (HCS).

That is not the same as 'assurance' or 'confidence'.

Likewise, it is the evidence (NKJ), the proof (HCS) of the things we can't see. That's not the same as 'conviction' or 'assurance'. It's much stronger than that. It says although i cannot physically see these things, I know they are real. My faith makes it so.

Faith is what allowed those in the list (Heb 11) to do what they did. It made their vision real, it gave life to their beliefs, to their convictions, it energized their lives, even to the point of death. Faith did that. Rephrased, they could not have done what they did without faith.

Faith is the umbilical cord that connects us to God. Without it, we live in make-believe, we struggle in the dream, we walk in darkness. 

Faith substantiates. It makes real, and proves.

It's important to me. Think on it.