Hebrews 11:1,2 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Now faith is the substance, &c.— These verses may be paraphrased thus: "As I have now observed, that faith avails to the salvation of the soul, and intend, in the next place, largely to prove it; it cannot but be proper here to acquaint you what that faith is, of which I speak. It is such a firm persuasion, as gives, as it were, a substance or present existence to the good things which we hope for, and which are not yet in being; and as engages us to depend upon the truth of unseen things as really as upon ocular demonstration. That this faith will avail to the salvation of the soul is evident, because the scripture has testified, that on the account of this faith through grace, the celebrated men who lived long ago were acceptable to God." By the description of faith, Hebrews 11:1 the apostle shews what that faith is, which he said ch. 10:39 would avail to the saving of the soul. It is not such a wavering and uncertain notion as wicked men may have, which is not accompanied with the power of godliness, and does not lead them to act conformably to what they profess to believe; but it is such a real and firm persuasion of the truth of divine revelation through the grace of God, as puts a man in the same temper and disposition of mind as demonstration or eye-sight would do.