Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 11:1

"Now faith is assurance of [things] hoped for, a conviction of things not seen." — Hebrews 11:1 (ASV)

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

Though the "things" are only "hoped for" and "not seen" at present, the eye of faith can see them, and the hand of faith can grasp them. Faith is more mighty than any of our senses, or than all our senses combined.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

It gets a grip of what it hopes for, and holds it in its hand.

The evidence of things not seen.

We do see by faith. We see by faith what cannot be seen by our eyes; we grasp by faith what cannot be grasped with our hands. A strange mystery is the simple act of faith.

Now faith –

That is, belief, trust in God –

If the substance of things hoped for,

It takes hold of them and holds them fast.

The evidence of things not seen,

The height of what we cannot see with our mortal eyes,