The word "substance" used in that verse is translated from the Greek word, "hupostasis". Now the translators of the King James Bible weren't quite sure what "hupostasis" meant. Nevertheless, they could see from its context that it referred to something of substance so that is the word they chose to use - "substance". This served believers admirably for several centuries.

Today, though, we are blessed with the very meaning of the word itself. This came about by a marvellous archaeological find. A Roman lady's travel chest was uncovered in Palestine. They found papers inside it each with the heading hupostasis; each one described in detail property the lady had legal ownership of. Those papers were title deeds.Those papers declared her legal right to possession of the described properties - properties that she had probably never seen with her eyes until her journey, though she had long known she owned them. The word hupostasis means title deed.

Those papers declared her legal right to possession of the described properties - properties that she had probably never seen with her eyes until her journey, though she had long known she owned them. The word hupostasis means title deed.

Faith is the title deed to things hoped for. In other words, faith declares to you your legal right to the possession of what you have been hoping for. It's your hold on hope.

When faith is so strong in you that it is causing you to be filled with all joy and peace, then the Holy Spirit has the chance to make you start abounding in hope.