Article September 7, 1940 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in this column can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons.]

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebr. 11:1)—Dr. Thayer observes that the Greek word "hupostasis," here rendered "substance," has the sense of "real being, courage, resolution, confidence, firm trust, assurance," as well as "substance"; while the term "evidence" also means "proof, demonstration, conviction." Weymouth (Fifth Edition) renders: "Now faith is a confident assurance of that for which we hope, a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see."

"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark" (Hebr. 11:7)—The participle translated "moved with fear" is a term which by its derivation implies caution or circumspection, especially as combined with piety and reverence for Deity; and does not suggest the thought of "fear" (in the sense of "terror"). Thus Moffatt suggests: "Noah ... reverently constructed an ark."

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