BY FAITH WE HAVE IN MIND... Hebrews 11:2, 3. Lordian Day September 16, 2018 a. m.

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1 BY FAITH WE HAVE IN MIND.... Hebrews 11:2, 3 Lordian Day September 16, 2018 a. m. Hebrews 11:1-3 provides significant information and illustration of God's definition of faith in several dispensations. Revelation is presented concerning the use of faith in four dispensations. Hebrews 11 is only "the faith chapter" in that it describes individual acts of faith by specific individuals or groups of individuals. The passage does not present faith as a way of life implemented by the Godhead in the primary dispensations mentioned (conscience, promise and law). Heb. 11:2 introduces the old-timers, forefathers or elders represented in the following context by emphasizing their individual acts of faith. 18 specific individuals are name who had specific acts "by faith." Abraham and Moses are mentioned twice. The nation Israel is listed twice under Moses "by faith" they were untouched in the original Passover and when they passed through the Red Sea. "Prophets" are listed in the Dispensation of Law list. Two instances are evident at the time of Law but outside the Law in Israel at Jericho and with Rahab the harlot. In the Dispensation of Grace we have a better thing with God-provided faith which is essential for the previous group to be ultimately brought to their maturity. The elders or old-timers provide a witness or testimony concerning their faith as core revelation in Heb. 11. The verse begins "for by this" in the text. "This" is a feminine demonstrative pronoun that finds its antecedent in the feminine noun "faith" in verse one. Verse three begins with "by faith" which is an instrumental form of "faith" (pistis) that should be translated "by faith." This specific form occurs 18 times in Hebrews 11. "By faith" we as grace believers (Christians) possess in our minds the fact that God fabricated or framed the ages by a single

2 utterance. In a sense, there is an extension or illustration of the definition of faith in the last part of verse 3. "So that the things that continually seen are not brought into being by things that are visible or manifested. 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 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. The first three verses of Hebrews eleven provide an introduction to the purpose and contents of the whole chapter. It begins with the divine definition of faith which is the focus of the chapter. It then introduces those who were made witnesses concerning faith who are identified as "elders." Verse three provides an illustration of our (Christian) faith in the divine framing of the ages. Heb. 11:2 explains how the divine definition of faith works by the testimony of the individual acts of faith of the elders or old-timers (I.). KJV For by it the elders obtained a good report (Heb. 11:2). NASB For by it the men of old gained approval (Heb. 11:2). NKJ For by it the elders obtained a good testimony (Heb. 11:2). "For" is an explanatory conjunction explaining the fact that the following testimony provides illustrations by the acts of faith of the forefathers. This exhibits the function of faith in four dispensations. "By this" is instrumental indicated by an en preposition followed by a near demonstrative feminine singular pronoun. The antecedent is the feminine noun "faith" in verses 1. "Elders" described the men and women who are named in the following verses as well as those who were participants in circumstances by faith. The core idea of "elders" involves those who are older or more mature. Lexical definitions include "ancients. forefathers, previous generations and people living long ago." The Gospels of Matthew and Mark refer to the tradition of the elders which is that tradition that has been passed down through Jewish history. In other words, it has been transmitted over time form the earlier elders. 1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread (Matt. 15:1,2). 1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands (Mk. 7:1-5)?

3 The translation of the verb obscures its significance in many translations. Tthe verb martureo which means "to bear witness or testify." DARBY For in the power of this the elders have obtained testimony (Heb. 11:2). ESV For by it the people of old received their commendation (Heb. 11:2). KJV For by it the elders obtained a good report (Heb. 11:2). NASB For by it the men of old gained approval (Heb. 11:2). NKJ For by it the elders obtained a good testimony(heb. 11:2). The form is a 1 st aorist which points to a specific point in time which is identified down through the following context. It is in the passive voice which indicates that the action of another provides the experience. Divine involvement shows God is the active agent that brings the testimony concerning the elders' actions. The indicative mood tells us that this is an absolute fact. The resulting definition for this passive form is "to be made a good witness or to be given or provided a testimony." The point or punctiliar actions of the verb are listed in the context of chapter 11. This involves the acts of 16 specific, named individuals, with two persons Abraham and Moses who are mentioned more than once. There are two groups of individuals identified with acts of faith: Israel at the Red Sea and the prophets. There are 21 acts of faith without names of those described though in instances we can put names on them as Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Verse three provides an illustration of how a Christian's faith should work in his or her thinking concerning the framing of the ages. Faith is a mental or spirit activity and not related to a Christian's soul or emotions. The fact is that God framed or thoroughly adjusted the ages by a single utterance. "By faith we" describes the faith of Christians in verse three. This verse demonstrate that the faith of believers in the Dispensation of Grace function in the eternal plan of God by faith with the object of faith being of a greater magnitude then that of the OT examples. As Christians, we direct our minds or mental perception by faith. Heb. 11:40 includes Christians indicating that we have a better thing than the OT heroes previously listed. KJV God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect (Heb. 11:40). NASB Because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect (Heb. 11:40). Heb. 11:3 and 40 are the verses that clearly include all Christians (Paul and the readers). "By faith" (pistei) occurs 18 times in Heb. 11. It is a single word (without a preposition) but is in the instrumental case and so is translated "by faith" without a preposition. Unfortunately the AV translates this "through faith" in 11:3, 11 which infers the presence of a dia preposition. In 11:33, 39 the preposition dia does occur and is translated in the AV "through faith or through the agency of faith."

4 The main verb noeo is found in translations as "we understand or we apprehend." The form is actually the verbal form of the noun nous which is a major word for the "mind." It carries the idea of "to direct your mind, to put your mind to or to carefully think." The present tense emphasizes the need for Christians to continually focus their minds on God and the creation of the ages. This needs to be an ongoing activity of the mind in rationale thinking or active perception. This verb occurs 14 times in the NT. The common English translation "worlds" is inaccurate. It is literally "the ages (tous aionas)." "Age" here is a technical theological Scriptural term that describes an era of revelation. An age is designed to reveal something about God to created beings. We learned at the beginning of the Hebrews series that God the Son made the ages. 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (ages) Heb. 1:1, 2). Here we learn that the ages were framed or thoroughly adjusted by a single utterance of God. God the Father is identified as the King of the Ages. DARBY Now to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only God, honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen (1 Tim. 1:17). Examples of ages in the NT include the following. The legal age is found in in Rom 12:2: And be not conformed to this world (it "age" cf. context) by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God and in 1 Cor. 2:8: DARBY Which none of the princes of this age knew, (for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;). The present evil age is found in Gal. 1:4: NASB Who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. Notice "the age of this cosmos" in Eph. 2:2: DARBY In which ye once walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience. The ages were framed or thoroughly adjusted. The idea of this verb is "to arrange, prepare, put in order or to make or frame. The verb is in a perfect tense describing a process that leads to a completed action. It is a passive voice form indicating that God acted upon the ages which were passive. I believe that the Person of the Godhead that acted was God the Son. How was this accomplished? By an utterance of God. "Utterance" (herma) occurs 68 times in the NT and 4 times in the Book of Hebrews. God the Son upholds all things by the utterance of His inherent power. KJV Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word (utterance) of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3). A simple definition is "utterance, that which has been audibly uttered or spoken." Louw Nida describes it as a "minimal unit of discourse, often a single word."

5 The last half of verse three elucidates the definition given in verse one. The matter involves that which is physically visible or seen which makes no contribution to faith. Faith involves that which cannot be seen and is not visible. The last part of verse three gives an explanation of the definition of faith by using the ages as an illustration (III.). The clause here is a result clause relating utterance with ages. The thing seen or being seen had not come into being by something that was visible. "Which are seen" is a present (continuous action) passive participle. These are made to come into being as a result of the divinetreatment of the invisible. Rather they are not out of things that are continually visible or made plain Ages were not brought into being from preexisting matter or substance. Yet we by faith, have in our minds by faith that God brought them into being from nothing. We have an introduction to the hall of fame of acts of faith in verse two. The persons listed are identified as "elders" or old timers. An illustration is given by the fact that the Christian can relate to faith because of his or her faith concerning the Son's framing or thoroughly adjusting the revelatory ages. It is evident that ages were formed and organized by that which a human being couldn't see because they are not physical. God still provides multiple blessings here each week. These are in addition to "all spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus in the heavenlies." Even so time rushes on. By faith I am what I am, DKS

6 #80 Hebrews Series September 16, 2018 a.m. BY FAITH WE HAVE IN MIND.... Hebrews 11:2, 3 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 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 (Heb. 11:1-3). Introduction A. The Presentation of the Old Timers and Their Individual Acts of Faith 1. Identified as Elders - in several Dispensations 2. These Are Listed in Hebrews Chapter 11 a. By Name 18 named with Abraham and Moses twice = 16 b. By Act 21 actions c. We = Christians in 11:3 d. "They" = Israel in 11:29 B. The Presentation of the Testimony of the Elders 1. Made Witnesses 2. By Faith = This (near demonstrative pronoun) C. The Comprehension of Christians Concerning the Ages D. The Fabrication of the Ages 1. By an Utterance 2. Of God. E. The Explanation Concerning Things 1. The Things Seen 2. They Were Not Brought into Being 3. By Things That Were Manifested or Visible TRANS: The first three verses of Hebrews eleven provide an introduction to the contents of the whole chapter. It begins with the divine definition of faith which is the focus of the book. It then introduces those who were made witnesses concerning faith identified as

7 #80 Hebrews Series September 16, 2018 a.m. elders." Verse three provides an illustration of our faith in the divine framing of the ages. I. AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THE DIVINE DEFINITION OF FAITH WORKS THE TESTIMONY PROVIDED BY THE ELDERS THE ISOLATION OF THE ACTS OF FAITH OF THE ELDERS IN THE TENACH Hebrews 11:2 A. The Demonstration of How the Definition of Faith Worked before the Dispensation of Grace by Individual Acts of Faith 11: "For" Explanatory Tying the Verse to the Definition in Verse One 2. "By This" a. "By" evn (en) Instrumental b. "This" Near Demonstrative Pronoun Feminine Singular Antecedent Is "Faith" B. The Past Connection with Earlier Generations 1. The Elders presbu,teroi (presbuteroi) 2. Definitions: Ancients, Forefathers, Previous Generations, People Living Long Ago 3. Example a. Tradition of the Elders Matt. 15:2 b. Tradition of the Elders Mark 7:3, 5 C. The Affirmation to the Divine Provision of a Testimony to the Witnesses 1. To Be Made a Good Witness or to Be Given a Testimony 2. 1 st Aorist At a Specific Point in Time [identified in the context] 3. Passive Voice The Action of Another Provides the Experience 4. Indicative Mood A Certain Testimony 5. At Point of Actions Listed in the Context of the Chapter a. Acts of Faith of Named Individuals 16 Individuals plus two mentions of Abraham and Moses b. Act of Faith of a Group of Individuals Israel "They" c. The Acts of Faith Themselves c. 21

8 #80 Hebrews Series September 16, 2018 a.m. TRANS: Verse three provides an illustration of how a Christian's faith should work in his or her thinking concerning the framing of the ages. Faith is a mental or spirit activity and not related to a Christian's soul. The fact is that God framed or thoroughly adjusted the ages by a single utterance. II. THE PERCEPTION OF GOD AND THE AGES BY FAITH THE THINKING OF THE BELIEVER BY FAITH CONCERNING THE CONTENTS OF THE AGES AND THEIR ADJUSTMENT THE IMPLEMENTING OF THE AGES BY AN UTTERANCE OF GOD Hebrews 11:3a A. "By Faith We...." = Christians 1. We Direct Our Minds or Perceive Heb. 11:3 2. We Have a Better Thing Heb. 11:40 3. Primary passages that Include Christians B. By Faith pi,stei (pistei) 1. Instrumental Feminine Singular Noun a. 18 times in Hebrews 11 b. Without a Preposition c. "By" Faith Is the Instrumental Translation 2. "Through the Agency of Faith" dia. pi,stewj (dia pisteos) 2 times (11:33, 39). C. We Are Directing Our Minds or Carefully Thinking 1. Present Tense Continually Thinking 2. Active Voice Personal Active Thinking 3. Indicative Mood -- Certain 4. The Mind (nou/j) in Action Rationale Thinking, Act of Perception by the Mind 5. The Verb Occurs 14 Times in the NT D. The Ages Not "Worlds" 1. An Age Is Designed to Reveal Something About God to Created Beings 2. God the Son Made the Ages Heb. 1:2

9 #80 Hebrews Series September 16, 2018 a.m. 3. The Ages Were Framed or Thoroughly Adjusted by a Single Utterance of God Heb. 11:3 4. God the Father Is the King of the Ages 1 Tim. 1:17 5. Examples: Legal Age (Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 2:8); Present Evil Age (Gal. 1:4) or Age of the Cosmos (Eph. 2:2) E. The Ages Were Framed or Thoroughly Adjusted 1. The Root Idea: To Thoroughly Adjust or Prepare 2. The Idea Here: To Arrange, Prepare, Put in Order, to Make or Frame 3. Perfect Tense: Process Resulting in Completed Action 4. Passive Voice: Active Work of God Ages Passive F. By an Utterance of God [68 times in NT and 4 times in Hebrews) 1. Heb. 1:2, 3: Christ Upholds All Things by the Utterance of His Power 2. Definition: Utterance, That Which Has Been Audibly Uttered or Spoken 3. "Minimal Unit of Discourse, Often a Single Word [Louw-Nida] TRANS: The last half of verse three elucidates the definition given in verse one. The matter involves that which is physically visible or seen which makes no contribution to faith. Faith involves that which cannot be seen and is not visible. III. THE EXPLANATION OF THE DEFINITION USING THE AGES AS AN EXAMPLE THE THINGS SEEN COME FROM INVISIBLE THINGS THE ILLUSTRATION FROM AGES AND THE UNSEEN THINGS Hebrews 11:3b A. The Result of the Utterance and the Ages B. The Recognition of a Thing That Is Seen 1. Thing = Neuter 2. Being Seen Present Passive Participle a. Continually Seen b. Acted by Sight Passive Thing C. The Reality of Coming into Being or Becoming 1. To Come into Being as a Result

10 #80 Hebrews Series September 16, 2018 a.m nd Perfect Active Infinitive D. The Relation to Things Not Visible 1. Not Out of 2. Things That Are Visible or Made Plain a. Present Tense Continually Visible b. Middle Voice On Their Part c. Participle Ties to Not Coming into Being TRANS: We have an introduction to the hall of fame of acts of faith in verse two. The persons listed are identified as "elders" or old timers. An illustration is given by the fact that the Christian can relate to faith because of his or her faith concerning the Son's framing or thoroughly adjusting the revelatory ages. It is evident that ages were formed and organized by that which a human being couldn't see because they are not physical. Conclusion A. B. C. D. Hebrews 11:2, 3 Translation 11:2: For by this the elders were given a good testimony (1 st aorist passive indicative). 11:3: By faith we mentally perceive (present active indicative) that the ages were prepared (or created perfect passive infinitive) by an utterance of God (anarthrous), so that which is made to be seen (present passive participle) was not brought into being (perfect active infinitive) out of things that have been visible (present passive participle neuter plural).