3. Neither does this verse belong to the list of historical instances from Genesis, in which men exercised faith. It is merely the first instance presented in O. T. history of an opportunity for the exercise of faith as the assurance and conviction of things not seen. Like ver. 2, it is closely con- nected with the definition. It contains the exposition of the nature of faith, by showing that in its earliest and most gen- eral expression — belief in the creation of the visible universe by God—it is a conviction of something not apprehensible by sense. *
* The assumption that this verse furnishes the first item in the catalogue of O. T. examples of faith, gives rise to such explanations as that of Michaelis, which is indorsed by Bleek ; that the writer thought of the earliest men as attaining only by faith the knowledge that God made the world, and that he expressed himself so generally because that fact is not expressly related of them, and because their conduct did not indicate a living faith.
512 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. XI.
We understand (voodpev). Noeiv signifies to perceive with the vods or reflective intelligence. In Class. of seeing with the eyes, sometimes with op@adpois expressed; but as early as Homer it is distinguished from the mere physical act of vision, as perception of the mind consequent upon seeing. Thus, rov d€ idwv évdnce and seeing him he perceived (Il. xi. 599): ov« idov ov& événoa I neither saw nor perceived ( Od. xiii. 818). In N. T. never of the mere physical act. Here. is meant the inward perception and apprehension of the visi- ble creation as the work of God, which follows the sight of the phenomena of nature.
The worlds (tovs ai@vas). Lit. the ages. The world or worlds as the product of successive acons. See on ch. i. 2.
Were framed (xarnpric@a). Put together; adjusted; the parts fitted to each other. See on Gal. vi. 1; Matt. xxi. 16; L. vi. 40. Of the preparing and fixing in heaven of the stn,,and, moon, LXX, | Ps: xxii. 163 “borxvii 87, of building a wall, 2 Esdr. iv. 12,13,16. See also Ps. xxxix. 6. Rend. have been framed. The A. V. gives the impression of one giving his assent to an account of creation; but the per- fect tense exhibits the faith of one who is actually contem- plating creation itself.
By the word of God (pyuats Geod). Comp. Gen. i; Ps. XXXill. 63 cxviili. 5.
So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (eis 76 bi) €x parvouevev 7d Brerdpevov yeryov- évat). For things which are seen, rend. that which is seen. For were not made rend. hath not been made. ’Eus 7d followed by the infinitive signifies result, not purpose. We perceive that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that (this being the case) that which is visible has not arisen out of that which is seen.* M7» not negatives the remainder
* Some, however, insist that es rd, etc., indicates purpose or design. So Westcott, who says, ‘‘ the worlds were made, etc., to the end that that which
Cu. XI] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 513
of the clause taken as a whole. In other words, the proposi- tion denied is, that which is seen arose out of visible things. By many early interpreters 4) was transposed, and construed with g¢awopuevor alone, signifying “that which is seen has arisen from things which do not appear.” These things were explained as chaos, the invisible creative powers of God, etc.
4. Abel offered unto God (“Afer mpoonveyxev T@ Oe@). For the phrase see ch. ix. 14. .
A more excellent sacrifice (adelova Ovciav). Greater in value in God’s eyes. For w)e/wv in this sense, see ch. iii. 3 ; Matt. vi. 25; L. xi. 31; xii. 23. In Paul never in this sense. Others explain a more abundant sacrifice, referring to the material character of the offerings. See Gen. iv. 4. But the difference between the offerings of Abel and Cain, con- sidered in themselves, is largely a matter of speculation, and, as Liinemann justly remarks, such an interpretation accent- uates unduly a purely external feature.*