“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.”
By faith we understand that the worlds (aiones) were framed (katartizo) by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible — faith grasps that creation flows from divine utterance (rhēma), not from preexistent material. Not made out of visible things (ex horōmenōn) indicates that faith recognizes God's creative freedom transcends natural causation. This introduces the motif of faith's epistemological function: it knows what reason cannot.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 11:3
Faith needs a generous and vigorous soul, and one rising above all things of sense, and passing beyond the weakness of human reasonings. For it is not possible to become a believer, otherwise than by raising one's self above the common customs [of the world]. Inasmuch then as the souls of the Hebrews were thoroughly weakened, and though they had begun from faith, yet from circumstances, I mean sufferings, afflictions, they had afterwards become faint-hearted, and of little…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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