Hebrews 11:3
Hebrews 11:3 describes creation as being from what cannot be seen, or the invisible (ESV):
| “ | By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.[1] | ” |
The present-tense translation of the second half of this verse by the Geneva Bible (which was the first full English translation of the Bible with commentary) is better:
| “ | Through faith we understand that the world was ordained by the word of God, so that the things which we see, are not made of things which did appear.[2] | ” |
Notice the conflict in tense reflected by the phrase "things that are visible" in the first translation above (ESV), as if it relates only to creation long ago. The respected NASB version likewise translates the last phrase in an identical manner, with the present tense "things that are visible" rather than as "things that were visible."
Its original Greek permits an inference that the creation of the visible from the invisible is in the present, not merely at the origin of the universe, and modern quantum mechanics confirms that interpretation. The verse could better be translated with consistent use of the present tense, as follows:
| “ | By faith we understand that the universe is created by the word of God, so that what is seen is not made out of things that are visible. | ” |
The New Living Translation renders this verse superbly as follows:
| “ | 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. | ” |
This verse is a statement of physics, and is one of the most-analyzed verses in the Bible. Most likely it was authored by Jesus, see Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews?
Unlike other parts of the Epistle to the Hebrews which are quotes from the Book of Psalms, Hebrews 11:3 is original.
John Calvin's analysis
John Calvin commented extensively on this verse:
| “ | For this reason, the [author of Hebrews], in that very passage where he calls the world the images of things invisible, adds that through faith we understand that they have been fashioned by God’s word [Heb. 11:3]. He means by this that the invisible divinity is made manifest in such spectacles, but that we have not the eyes to see this unless they are illumined by the inner revelation of God through faith.[3] | ” |
Calvin commented on Hebrews 11:3 is not merely about the Creation, but the Greek indicates that it encompasses post-creation action attributable to God. Calvin explains that the Greek for this verse is often mistranslated.
Romans 1:20
Paul's statement at Romans 1:20 appears based on Hebrews 11:3:
| “ | For the invisible things of him, that is, his eternal power and Godhead, are seen by the creation of the world, being considered in his works, to the intent that they should be without excuse ....[4] | ” |
See also
References
- ↑ Heb 11:3
- ↑ 1599 edition of the Geneva Bible.
- ↑ https://christianitymatters.com/2012/01/16/the-necessity-of-gods-word/#:~:text=Commenting%20on%20Hebrews%2011%3A3,fashioned%20by%20God's%20word%20%5BHeb. (quoting John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. Mcneil, Book 1, Ch V, 14, pg 68).
- ↑ Geneva Bible (1599).
