Quick Definition
assurance, substance, reality
Strong's Definition
a setting under (support), i.e. (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance (objectively or subjectively)
Derivation: from a compound of G5259 (ὑπό) and G2476 (ἵστημι);
KJV Usage: confidence, confident, person, substance
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ὑπόστασις, ὑποστάσεως, ἡ (ὑφίστημι), a word very common in Greek authors, especially from Aristotle onward, in widely different senses, of which only those will be noticed which serve to illustrate N. T. usage;
1. a setting or placing under; thing put under, substructure, foundation: Psa_68:3 (); τοῦ οἴκου, Eze_43:11; τοῦ τάφου, Diodorus 1, 66.
2. that which has foundation, is firm; hence,
a. that which has actual existence; a substance, real being: τῶν ἐν ἀερι φαντασμάτων τά μέν ἐστι κατ' ἐμφασιν, τά δέ καθ' ὑπόστασιν, Aristotle, de mundo, 4, 19, p. 395{a} , 30; φαντασίαν μέν ἔχειν πλούτου, ὑπόστασιν δέ μή, Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 3, 14; (ἡ αὐγή) ὑπόστασιν ἰδίαν οὐκ ἔχει, γεννᾶται δέ ἐκ φλογός, Philo de incorruptibil. mundi § 18; similarly in other writings (cf. Sophocles Lexicon, under the word, 5; Liddell and Scott, under the word, III. 2).
b. the substantial quality, nature, of any person or thing: τοῦ Θεοῦ (R. V. substance), Heb_1:3 (Wis_16:21; ἴδε ... τίνος ὑποστάσεως ἤ τίνος εἴδους τυγχάνουσιν οὕς ἐρεῖτε καί νομιζετε Θεούς, Epist. ad' Diogn. 2, 1 [ET]; (cf. Suicer, Thesaurus, under the word)).
c. steadiness of mind, firmness, courage resolution (οἱ δέ Ῥόδιοι θεωροῦντες τήν τόν Βυζαντινων ὑπόστασιν, Polybius 4, 50, 10; οὐχ οὕτω τήν δύναμιν, ὡς τήν ὑπόστασιν αὐτοῦ καί τολμᾶν καταπεπληγμενων τῶν ἐναντίων, id. 6, 55, 2; add, Diodorus 16, 32f; Josephus, Antiquities 18, 1, 6); confidence, firm trust, assurance: 2Co_9:4; 2Co_11:17; Heb_3:14; Heb_11:1 (for ϊΔΜχΐεΘδ, Rth_1:12; Eze_19:5; for ϊΜεηΖμΖϊ, Psa_38:8 ()). Cf. Bleek, Br. an d. Hebrew ii. 1, pp. 60ff, 462ff; Schlatter, Glaube im N. T., p. 581.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ὑπόστασις hypo stasis 5x
pr. a standing under;
a taking of a thing upon one s self; an assumed position, an assumption of a specific character, 2Co_11:17 ;
an engagement undertaken with regard to the conduct of others, a vouching, 2Co_9:4 ;
or of one s self, a pledged profession, Heb_3:14 ;
an assured impression, a mental realizing, Heb_11:1 ;
a substructure, basis; subsistence, essence, Heb_1:3
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ὑπό -στασις , -εως , ἡ
( < ὑφίστημι , to set under, stand under, support ),
[in LXX for H4673 ( 1Sa_13:23 ; 1Sa_14:4 B ), H8615 ( Rth_1:12 , Eze_19:5 ), etc., also in Wis_16:21 ;]
1. a support, base or foundation (in various senses).
2. substance ( Arist ., al. ; opp . to φαντασία , ἔμφασις ): Heb_1:3 ,
3. steadiness , firmness ( Polyb ., al. ), hence, assurance, confidence: 2Co_9:4 ; 2Co_11:17 , Heb_3:14 ; Heb_11:1 (here perhaps title-deed , as that which gives reality or guarantee; v. MM , xxv).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ὑπόστασις [page 659]
For this important word we may begin by citing a few exx. of the common meaning substance, property, effects : P Oxy III. 488 .17 (ii/iii A.D.) πλέον τῆς ὑποστάσεως μου ἐν ὅλῃ ἀρούρῃ μιᾷ , more land than I actually possess by one whole aroura (Edd.), ib. X. 1274 .15 (iii/A.D.) ἀπὸ δὲ ταύτης τῆ [ς ] ὑποστάσεως δηλῶ ὀφείλειν τὸν ἄνδρα μου ἐμοὶ . . ., and out of this estate I declare that my husband owes me. . ., (Edd.), P Flor I. 50 .9 (A.D. 268) τέ [ταρτον μ ]έρος ὑποστάσεως , P Oxy I. 138 .26 (A.D. 610 611) κινδύνῳ ἐμῷ καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ὑποστάσεως , at the risk of myself and my property, similarly .31 , and ib. 139 .28 (A.D. 612), and P Lond IV. 1343 .1 (A.D. 709) σὺν ταῖς φαμηλίαις καὶ ὑποστ [άσεσιν , with their families and effects. Note also P Petr III. 69 ( a ), p. 195. The document unfortunately is much mutilated, but it has been taken as meaning that the owner of certain dovecots had underestimated their value in his ὑπόστασις , and that the officials were directed to sell his property and pay the difference to the treasury. In P Tebt 1.61 ( b ) .194 (B.C. 118) τῆς ἐν τῶι κ̄γ̄ (ἔτει ) ἀπὸ τῶν ἀπολειπου ]σῶν παρὰ τὰς ὑπ [οστάσεις τοῦ ῑβ̄ (ἔτους ), the editors translate, concerning the land which was returned in the 23rd year as part of that which failed to come up to the expectations formed in the 12th : the same phrase occurs in ib. 72 .111 (B.C. 114 3).
On P Eleph 15 .3 (B.C. 223) οἱ δ̣̕ ῢ̣̣π̣ο̣γεγραμμένοι γεωργοὶ ἐπέδωκαν ἡμῖν ὑπόστασιν , Rubensohn remarks that ὑπόστασις is the substantive of ὑφίστασθαι in a corresponding sense : it seems to mean a written undertaking. Cf. also P Cornell 50 .6 (i/A.D.) κἂν μὲν ὑπόστασιν λάβῃς , δήλωσόν μοι , where, as the editors point out, the context requires agreement of sale, rather than declaration of property. For the latter meaning we may cite P Tebt II. 336 .7 ( c. A.D. 190) ἔστιν ὑποστάσεως τῆς κώ [μης . . . the amount standing in the name of the village. . . (Edd.), and the fragmentary P Fay 343 (ii/A.D.), a list of villages with amounts in kind under the heading ὑπόστασις . Still one other passage may be noted, P Oxy II. 237 viii. 26 (A.D. 186) ταῖς τῶν ἀνδρῶν ὑπο̣σ̣τ̣α̣σεσ̣ι̣ν , where, according to GH (p. 176), ὑπόστασις stands for the whole body of documents bearing on the ownership of a person s properly, deposited in the archives, and forming the evidence of ownership.
These varied uses are at first sight somewhat perplexing, but in all cases there is the same central idea of something that underlies visible conditions and guarantees a future possession. And as this is the essential meaning in Heb_11:1 , we venture to suggest the translation Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for. In Heb_1:3 , on the other hand, the notion of underlying is applied in a different way. The history of the theological term substance is discussed by T, B. Strong in JTS ii. (1901), p. 224 ff., and iii. (1902), p. 22 ff.
For an ex. of the adj. cf. the Andania mysteries-inscr. Syll 653 ( = .3 736) .50 (B.C. 92) καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν πρωτομυστᾶν τὸ ὑποστατικόν , where Dittenberger notes : Ab ὑποστῆναι , subire, in se suscipere. Pecunia est quam πρωτομύσται dare debent cum haec dignitas in eos confertur a fee on undertaking office.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ὑπόστασις ὑπόστα^σις, εως, [Etym: ὑφίσταμαι] "that which settles at the bottom, sediment", Arist. "anything set under, subject-matter" of a speech or poem, Polyb. , etc. "the foundation or ground of hope, confidence, assurance", NTest. "substance, the real nature" of a thing, "essence", id=NTest.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ὑπό-στασις, -εως, ἡ
(ὑφίστημι, to set under, stand under, support) [in LXX for מַצָּב (1Ki.13:23 14:4 B), תִּקְוָה (Rut.1:12, Eze.19:5), etc., also in Wis.16:21 ;]
__1. a support, base or foundation (in various senses).
__2. substance (Arist., al.; opposite to φαντασία, ἔμφασις): Heb.1:3
__3. steadiness, firmness (Polyb., al.), hence, assurance, confidence: 2Co.9:4 11:17, Heb.3:14 11:1 (here perhaps title-deed, as that which gives reality or guarantee; see MM, xxv).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Nature (5287) hupostasis
Assurance (5287) (hupostasis/hypostasis from hupo/hypo = under + histemi = stand) is a literally a standing or setting under and thus describes a support, a confidence, a steadiness, a foundation (refers to ground on which something is built = the foundation of things for which we hope) and as used in Scripture represents a solid, unshakable confidence in God (that He Who has promised is faithful).
Stated another way hupostasis is that which underlies the apparent and which therefore is the reality, the essence or the substance. It came to denote essence, substance or the inner nature and as discussed below is used with that meaning in Hebrews 1:3 (verse notes).
P E Hughes writes that
The term hypostasis...is susceptible of a variety of connotations, but, despite the different interpretations proposed, there is in all cases, as Moulton and Milligan point out, "the same central idea of something that underlies visible conditions and guarantees a future possession." (A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews)
Hupostasis is a very common word from Aristotle on and was used in Greek to describe that which stands under anything such as a building, a contract, a promise. It is common in the papyri in business documents as the basis or guarantee of transactions or with the meaning of a title deed. Thus one translation renders it
"Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for."
George Brooks adds that...
Faith does not put all its confidence in the present and the visible. Faith is to our hopes what a deed is to a piece of property. The deed guarantees ownership for the owner.
Wiersbe...
The word translated "substance" (assurance) means literally "to stand under, to support." Faith is to a Christian what a foundation is to a house: it gives confidence and assurance that he will stand. (Ibid)
IVP Background Commentary...
This hope is, however, an unshakable conviction in the present: “assurance” (NASB, NRSV; “being sure”—NIV) appears in Greek business documents with the meaning “title deed.”
Hupostasis is used 19 times in the Septuagint (LXX) and 5 times in the NT...
2Cor 9:4 (3 But I have sent the brethren, that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, that, as I was saying, you may be prepared) 4 lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to speak of you) should be put to shame by this confidence.
2Cor 11:17 That which I am speaking, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature (hupostasis, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end;
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Considering these meanings of hupostasis in Hebrews 11:1 one could paraphrase this verse as follows...
Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for.
Faith is the foundation, the quality of confidence which leads one to stand under, endure, or undertake anything.
Faith involves the most solid possible conviction, the God-given present assurance of a future reality.
Thus hupostasis has as it's etymological equivalent in English the word "substance" which describes that which stands under a thing or that which makes it what it is.
In Hebrews 1:3 the Son is such a revelation of the Father that when we see Jesus, we see what God's real being is.
Hebrews 1:3 (note) And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Comment: Christ is the very representation of the divine essence. The author is conveying the truth that whatever the divine essence is, Jesus is said to be its perfect expression and in so doing affirms the deity of Jesus Christ. The etymological equivalent of hupostasis in English is "substance" or that which stands under a thing and which makes it what it is. The Son is such a revelation of the Father that when we see Jesus, we see what God's real being is.)
Robertson commenting on the use of hupostasis in Hebrews 1:3 writes that...
The word hupostasis for the being or essence of God “is a philosophical rather than a religious term” (Moffatt). Etymologically it is the sediment or foundation under a building (for instance). In Hebrews 11:1 hupostasis is like the “title-deed” idea found in the papyri. Athanasius rightly used Heb. 1:1-4 in his controversy with Arius. (Robertson, A. Word Pictures in the New Testament)
Wuest writes that...
The word “substance” deserves careful treatment. It is hupostasis, made up of stasis “to stand,” and hupo “under,” thus “that which stands under, a foundation.” Thus it speaks of the ground on which one builds a hope. Moulton and Milligan report its use as a legal term. They say that it stands for “the whole body of documents bearing on the ownership of a person’s property, deposited in archives, and forming the evidence of ownership.” They suggest the translation, “Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for.” The Holy Spirit energized act of faith which a believer exercises in the Lord Jesus is the title-deed which God puts in his hand, guaranteeing to him the possession of the thing for which he trusted Him. In the case of this first-century Jew, his act of faith in Messiah as High Priest would be the title-deed which God would give him, guaranteeing to him the possession of the salvation for which he trusted God. Thus, he would have assurance. Vincent translates, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” He says that “It is the firm grasp of faith on unseen fact.” (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)
Vincent commenting on hupostasis in Hebrews 1:3 notes that...
The primary sense of hupostasis or substance is something which stands underneath; foundation, ground of hope or confidence, and so, assurance itself. In a philosophical sense, substantial nature; the real nature of anything which underlies and supports its outward form and properties. In N. T., 2 Cor. 9:4; 11:17; Heb. 3:14; 11:1, signifying in every instance ground of confidence or confidence.
In LXX, it represents fifteen different words, and, in some cases, it is hard to understand its meaning, notably 1Sa 13:21. In Ruth 1:12 ("Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons"); Ps. 39:7 ("And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope [my ground, my foundation...for hope] is in Thee."); Ezek. 19:5, it means ground of hope: in Jdg. 6:4 ("So they would camp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance [Lxx - hupostasis + zoe ~ no support or foundation of life] in Israel as well as no sheep, ox, or donkey."); Wisd. 16:21, sustenance: in Ps. 39:5 ("Behold, Thou hast made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime [Lxx = hupostasis ~ my existence] as nothing in Thy sight, Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah."); Ps 139:15, the substance or material of the human frame: in 1Sa 13:23 ("and the garrison of the Philistines"); Ezek. 26:11, an outpost or garrison: in Deut. 11:6; Job 22:20 ("and their abundance the fire has consumed"), possessions.
The theological sense, person, is later than the apostolic age. In Hebrews 1:3, substantial nature, essence. (Adapted and amplified from Vincent, M. R. Word Studies in the New Testament 4:382-383)
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