3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
3 By faith
This chapter uses the words “by faith” 21 times. We will see outstanding examples of people who lived their lives by faith during difficulties.
we understand [exercise of the mind to discern]
Christians perceive by faith that God created the universe. It is not something they can see for themselves by empirical evidence. Verse 3 illustrates verses 1 and 2. “Understand” is intellectual perception, not sense perception. Intellectual perception is clearly a part of faith. We can “understand” God’s creation “by faith” (Ro 1:20). Discernment allows us to apply the principles of God’s Word to a given situation.
that the worlds [ages] were framed [equipped]
God created the world or ages by speaking a word. The ages are all that exists in time and space; whether visible or invisible, “ages” implies purpose behind creation. God operates with divine continuity in history. Nothing in history is random, but it is all by divine design. Not only did God create the universe, but He administered each phase of time during the course of history. God is working a process of fulfilling His will. The words “were framed” is from a Greek word meaning to equip. God equipped each age to meet His purpose for that time.
by the word [spoken] of God,
The “word of God” here is not the written but the spoken word of God when He created the world by speech (He 1:2; Ps 33:6–9). God spoke into existence the entire universe; there was no material universe before God brought it into existence.
so that the things which are seen
The “things which are seen” refers to the material or physical universe. All human cosmological arguments for the beginning of the universe are speculation. That is why we must turn to revelation to understand how the universe originated.
were not made of things which are visible.
Understanding the natural world is not adequate to comprehend the supernatural. It can confirm that God created it (Ro 1:20), but it cannot through its own system come to that knowledge. Human beings were not spectators at creation; we understand how it came into existence by faith. God created the universe ex nihilo; He created time and space out of nothing.
The universe was not formed out of pre-existing materials. Thus, the physical universe points to an unseen Creator. Thus, the visible order of the material universe cannot be traced to physical causes. It comes from the invisible, immaterial God. Evolution cannot deal with origins but only what it can see. It cannot scientifically deal with cosmology or origins.
PRINCIPLE:
True faith is undivided confidence in God.
APPLICATION:
Belief in God’s majestic power in creating the world by something non-material is an exercise in faith. Faith is the system for viewing reality or the universe; that is, it was a creation of God.
The origin of the universe is a dilemma for natural scientists. Their view of cosmology can take them only so far. A few years ago, someone came up with the theory of the “big bang” origin of the universe, but later others rejected this theory because it did not adequately explain what was before the big bang. Theories of creation operate like a pendulum; one theory gains the predominance, and another speculation countervails the prevailing concept.
The problem with science is that it is delimited to the observable or the material universe. If there is anything beyond the material, science has no answer. Once a scientist speculates beyond the material, he is no longer a scientist but a philosopher.
Hi,
I read an article that said the following: The same way that God framed the world, your life and your future have been framed by yourself. What you’re future is going to be like is planned and built by you.
If you don’t like what you have now, you can change it with your tongue.
If you’re having a wonderful life that you’re really glad about, you built it. If you’re living in defeat, it’s also a result of what you spoke and created/formed. It says that God isn’t responsible for the life you’re living because He only gives you a vision of what He wants your life to be like and then you must build your victorious life.
Will you please comment?
C, that article you read is part of a greater movement that claims if you speak it, it will happen. This is false doctrine that has no basis in Scripture.
Thank you very much for answering all my questions, i know i have been bombarding you 🙂
May I also ask how you would interpret Joshua 1:8?
As this is also a popular one that is used?
Thank you
C, “this book of the Law” is the Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Bible. The prosperity here has to do with experiencing the promises and blessings of the Bible. Joshua spoke to the nation Israel in this verse. The keyword that occurs throughout Joshua is “give” (נָתַן, nathan). God promised the land of Palestine to the Jews throughout the book. This promise came from Gen 12-18, which is the Abraham Covenant, where God gave the land from the Euphrates to the Red Wadie near Egypt. When Israel believed in God’s promise, He gave national prosperity. This was not a promise to the church, but to Israel. There is a sense whereby a believer during the church period can claim the promises of God and God will prosper him or her spiritually. The idea is to claim God’s promises to us. For example, we claim God’s promise to be with us in difficulty. Compare my studies on 1 Peter 5:7 here: https://versebyversecommentary.com/1998/02/01/1-peter-57/ Note that there are 6 studies there.
if anyone says, if you speak it, it will happen is a false doctrine. how then do we explain what Jesus says in John.14:14 and also what is written in Job.22:28.
The truth is if we chose righteousness and we stay on the side honesty and truthfulness with an unwavering faith/believe in God, there is tremendous power in the tongue of a Believer (including creative power)
Ade, there is no biblical evidence for what you are saying. Neither Scripture that you present prove your point. See this study on John 14:14 https://versebyversecommentary.com/2018/03/07/john-1414/
I agree that you can framed the life you want to live by your spoken words just like God our Father.
Prov 18:21 says the power of life and death is in your tongue, and you can eat the fruit you are believing for good or bad. You choose
Lionel, thanks for your post.
This passage is speaking of God, not man, however, what you say is true. What we think, we are, what we become, what we become, we do. It starts with how we think.