• Hebrews 11:3
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 3 Πίστει To faith νοοῦμεν we are minding κατηρτίσθαι to have been adjusted down τοὺς the αἰῶνας ages ῥήματι to saying θεοῦ, of God, εἰς into τὸ the μὴ not ἐκ out of φαινομένων (things) appearing τὸ the (thing) βλεπόμενον being looked at γεγονέναι. to have occurred.

  • Hebrews 11:3
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 3 By faith we understand the ages to have been fitted together by declaration of God,—To the end that not out of things appearing should that which is seen have come into existence.

  • Hebrews 11:3
    King James Version

    • 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.

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 11
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 11:3

      By faith we perceive: The Greek word rendered “perceive” means “understand,” “comprehend,” or “grasp with [the] mind.” Faith enabled Paul and other Christians to recognize, understand, and thus be convinced of unseen realities.​—Heb 11:1; compare study note on 2Th 3:2.

      the systems of things were put in order by God’s word: At times, the expression translated “systems of things” can refer to the distinguishing, or characteristic, features of certain time periods. (The Greek word ai·onʹ could also be rendered “age.”) In this chapter, Paul writes about faithful ones during pre-Flood times, in the days of the patriarchs (the patriarchal system), and during the time when Israel was in a covenant relationship with God (the Levitical system). People of faith could perceive that during all those distinct periods, or systems, God made it possible for humans to worship him acceptably. (Compare study note on Heb 1:2; see Glossary, “System(s) of things.”) However, “the systems of things” that “were put in order by God’s word” could also refer to the world or universe, that is, all of God’s physical creation, such as the sun, the moon, the stars, and the earth. The latter part of this verse could well fit this meaning: “What is seen has come into existence from things that are not visible.” The universe provides clear evidence that there is a Creator. (Heb 11:1; compare Ro 1:20.) If Paul does refer to the physical creation, “the systems of things” (or, “ages”) may also include the creative days, or stages, when God gave the word, or command, and things were created. (Ge 1:3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 24; see also Ps 33:6.) And if Heb 11:3 is viewed as a reference to the Genesis creation account, it is logical that this verse precedes the chronological listing of individuals that follows, starting with Abel, Enoch, and Noah.​—Heb 11:4-7.