Hebrews 11:3

Hebrews 11:3

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.

a. NLT:  By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

b. NIV: By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

c. YLT: By faith we understand the ages to have been prepared by a saying of God, in regard to the things seen not having come out of things appearing;

d. Amplified Bible: By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.

1. “Through faith we understand…”

a. [Through] faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]

b. we understand [Strong: 3539 noieo noy-eh'-o from 3563; to exercise the mind (observe), i.e. (figuratively) to comprehend, heed:--consider, perceive, think, understand.]

1). Understanding comes through faith. There are things in this life that do not seemingly have any kind of answers in the natural, and those who are not saved are perplexed by them, but a believer in God’s word has some of those answers. One of those answers is the nature of our world.

2. “…that the worlds were framed by the word of God…”

a. [that the] worlds [Strong: 165 aion ahee-ohn' from the same as 104; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):--age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end).] [W.E. Vine: And age, a period of time, marked in N.T. usage by spiritual or moral characteristics…]

[Zodhiates:  By metonymy, the world itself as an object of creation and existence.]

1). All of the sources I checked take the school of thought that in spite of the fact that the word “aion” is used instead of “kosmos”, the verse is referring to the creation of the physical universe. That is probably true but we cannot ignore but should explore why aion is used. The various ages, the timings and lengths of the covenants, their beginnings and endings and what they were to accomplish so that the next one could begin.  These are all relevant to the study.

c. framed [Strong: 2675 katartizo kat-ar-tid'-zo from 2596 and a derivative of 739; to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust:--fit, frame, mend, (make) perfect(-ly join together), prepare, restore.] [W.E. Vine: To fit, to render complete.] [E. W. Bullinger: To adjust or put in order again.

1). The uses of the word elsewhere are enlightening.

 

a). Matthew 4:21 “…mending their nets…”

b). 1 Corinthians 1:10 “…perfectly joined together…”

c). Galatians 6:1 “…restore…”

d). Hebrews 13:21 “…make …perfect…”

e). 1 Peter 5:10 “…make…perfect…”

2). Scriptures that enforce use of aion.

a). Acts 1:6, 7 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

b). Ephesians 1:9, 10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

c). Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law…”

d. [by the] word [Strong: 4487 rhema hray'-mah from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.]

e. [of] God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

3. “...so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

a. so [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

b. that things which [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. [are] seen [Strong: 991 blepo blep'-o a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.]

d. [were] not [Strong: 3361 me may a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

e. of things [Strong: 1537 ek ek or ex ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.]

f. [which] do appear [Strong: 5316  phaino fah'-ee-no prolongation for the base of 5457; to lighten (shine), i.e. show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative):-- appear, seem, be seen, shine, X think.]