Faith This chapter is considered a practical application of faith through example of some Old Testament faith heroes. After St. Paul talked about the Lord Jesus as the High Priest, who opened the heavenly Holies, comparing between the ministry of the Levitical priesthood and the new priesthood, he emphasizes the importance of faith as a road to enjoy these heavenly Holies, opened for all humanity in Christ Jesus. 1. What is faith? Ch. 1-3. 2. Men of faith Ch. 4-12. 3. Faith in the heavenly country Ch. 13-15. 4. Men of faith (to be continued) Ch. 16-39. 1. What is faith? "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony" [1,2]. Faith is the confidence in the unseen divine holies as present facts, then one lives in evidence of things not seen and not touched by our senses. St. John Chrysostom says: [Faith is a clear vision of things, and complete assurance of unseen things1.] He also says, [I will demonstrate what I says with examples... The Lord said that whoever forsakes father, or mother or brother or sister for His sake is rewarded. We see that this was really fulfilled. He also said, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). This means that no one can overcome the believer. This is a true fact. He also says, ‘The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it’ (Matt. 16:18). Even if the Church is persecuted, no one can stop preaching the Gospel. This prophecy was fulfilled although it was said in a time when it was hard for anyone to believe it.2] By faith, we have accepted God's hard commandments and promises, the words cannot prove their truthfulness, but rather a practical experience in their application. [Thus, faith requires a zealous active soul who is above sensual matters, human reason, and beyond ordinary customs3.] Since St. Paul was talking to Christians of Hebrew origin, therefore, he said, "For by it the elders obtained a good testimony" [2]. He is telling them that this is not a strange thing, for your Fathers have experienced it. Their Jewish history is a testimony to the life of faith. St. Paul related the lives of the heroes of faith from the books of the Old Testament, as a living testimony of the Church of the Old Testament. The Old Testament started by declaring that God is the Creator. "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]. Men of the Old Testament cannot accept the Lord Christ , the "Incarnate Word of God," as the Savior who renews their inner nature by the Holy Spirit, unless they accept the first basic concept that God is the 1 In Hebr. hom 21:4. 2 Ibid. 21:5. 3 Ibid., 22:10. Chapter 1 2 Creator by His Word. The Word who creates is the only One who can renew the old nature after it has been defiled. St. Athanasius of Alexandria says: [God is good, in other words, the goodness is in His essence... He created everything from nothing by His own Word, the Lord Jesus Christ4.] God also renewed the creation in Christ, and saved it. St. Athanasius also adds, that God is the immeasurable Creator existing before all ages, it’s Him who created time5. 2. HEROES OF FAITH St. Paul now moves from the first basic foundation of faith in the Word of God, the eternal Creator, to practical examples of men of faith in the Old Testament. The faith of the Church is an extension of that of the men of the early Church before the Incarnation. St. John Chrysostom says that St. Paul wanted to reveal to them that the Jews have started their lives with God by faith in many ways, but unfortunately they completed in weakness by lukewarm hearts in faith. St. Athanasius of Alexandria who spent most of his pastoral life in struggling for the Orthodox faith, and often he used to leave his papal residence and escape from the Arians who insisted on killing him, believed that struggle for faith is not less than martyrdom. Most of the heroes of faith mentioned here were not martyred, but rather lived as men of faith. St. Athanasius says: [A martyr does not become a martyr for his mere refusal to worship the idols, but rather for his refusal to deny faith. This is a clear testimony to his good conscience. Those who are condemned are not only those who worship idols, as strangers to God, but rather those who deny faith6.] He also praises faith by saying: [Abraham the patriarch recieved the crown, not because he suffered until death, but because he believed in God. The other saints mentioned by St. Paul, like Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David,. Samuel, and others were not crowned because of shedding their blood, but they were justified by faith, for they were ready to accept death for the sake of righteousness in God7.] St. Paul presented the following examples of the heroes of faith: a. Abel: He is the first example of the heroes of faith, not due to his private life, but St. Paul says, "By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks" [4,5]. God testified of his righteousness, not because of the superiority of his life of private deeds, but rather because his sacrifice was better than Cain's offering. Cain offered from the fruits of the earth, but God accepted the bloody sacrifice of Abel, because it carried the aroma of the Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross, and its shadow. This is the foundation of our faith that the Word of God the Creator renews us, we His creation, through the precious Blood. Thus, we offer our life a sacrifice of love, through our unity with the true Sacrifice, and we become like Abel who became a sacrifice himself, though rejected by his brother. St. Paul was addressing the Hebrew Christians who were expelled from the tem- 4 De Incar., 3. 5 De Decretis, 18. 6 Ad Episc. Egypti, 21. 7 Ad Episc. Egypti, 21. Chapter 1 3 ple. They became like Abel who was rejected from his brother for the sake of the accepted Sacrifice to God the Father, the Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even if their brothers try to kill them, yet their voices remain, and their testimonies cannot be suppressed by death nor destroyed by time. Abel's voice is still loud declaring God's acceptance to his bloody sacrifice, and the voice of the rejected and persecuted believers remain crying testifying to the truth, unceasingly. b. Enoch: "By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not see death, 'and was not found because God had translated him' for before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God" [5]. Since Abel has declared the mystery of the accepted Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ through his faith, and we, through our acceptance to the daily death with the Lord, then through Enoch's faith, his life has carried a living picture of the surpassing heavenly Church, which surpasses the natural human life, and witnesses through practical attitude before the world. Thus, the Lord translates every true believer to live with Him, sharing His glories. St. Paul says, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself" (Phil 3: 20,21). Through faith, we enjoy the heavenly life as members of God's Church acceptable to her Bridegroom. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" [6]. May our hearts truly believe in God like Enoch and seek Him diligently, so we may get the reward which is obtaining the Lord Jesus Himself. This is the reward of the soul who seeks Him diligently, she abides in Him in His heaven and eternal glory in the bosom of the Heavenly Father. c. Noah: Since Abel declares through his faith the unique Sacrifice that testifies to the Truth, within us unceasingly. And Enoch represents the Church elevated to her Bridegroom to live with Him in heaven while still existing on earth, then Noah's faith is a condemnation of the world which rejected entering the ark. For there is no salvation outside the ark, and no enjoyment of the new life except through the baptismal water. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith" [7]. Since the church enjoys salvation through the cross, as Noah's ark was saved in the midst of the baptismal water, then this salvation condemns the world8. The Fathers used to build churches in the shape of Noah's ark as a sign of crossing from the old world to the new life. We have previously mentioned the Church and her relation to Noah's ark in accordance with the writings of the early Fathers9. d. Abraham: Each of the Fathers presented one aspect of the many aspects of faith. Abel presented the divine aspect which is offering the holy Sacrifice, that is, offering the Lamb of God. Enoch revealed the nature of the believing Church which is the heavenly aspect. Noah declared that there is no salvation outside the holy Church. Abraham presented the practical aspect of faith which is obedience to God, besides other as- 8 للمؤلف: الروح القدس بین المیلاد الجدید والتجدید المستمر. . 9 للمؤلف: المسیح في سرّ الافخارستیا، 1983 Chapter 1 4 pects of his life interacting with each other to bring out a serial of virtues as landmarks on his path with God. Abraham, the Patriarch believed in a practical way, thus, he forsook all the visible matters trusting in God's invisible promises. St. Paul says, "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God" [8-10]. He obeyed to go out to enjoy the inheritance, not knowing where he was going. Faith led him! He has never heard of living examples of faith except what he heard, from tradition, about Abel, Enoch and Lot. He had no holy Bible, neither Law, nor a prophet nor a priest to guide him, but faith only enlightened the path before him. As St. John Chrysostom says: [His father was pagan and worshipped idols, he never heard of prophets, nor knew where to go10.] By faith, he did not inherit the land, but believed that his descendants will inherit the land on which he, his son Isaac,and his grandson Jacob were sojourners. He was not worried nor troubled, but trusted in God's promises to be fulfilled in the following generations of his successors. e. Sarah: As St. Paul presented men of faith, He is also presenting living examples of women believers like Sarah who represents the Church believing in God who grants us resurrection. "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore, from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore" [11,12]. From the men of faith, Abel was the first one mentioned to declare the Sacrifice of the Lord Christ that remains effective throughout all generations. Sarah, the blessed mother is the first of the believing women who was under the judgment of death. She was barren, and this ascertained her old age! Through faith, she received the power of resurrection to give birth, from her dead bowels, to innumerable children of God like the stars of the sky and the sand of the sea shore. St. John the Baptist said to the Jews, "And do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones" (Matt. 3:9). This was not an exaggerated saying, for the Lord had really raised up children to Abraham from the stones, because Sarah's bowels were like stones which cannot bear children. But through faith, God granted her children to Abraham. This is Sarah's faith in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, who through His resurrection raised children to Abraham from stones, and still raises! Our Fathers were from the Gentiles like stones, for they worshipped stony idols, but they were changed not to be children of Abraham, but rather children of God! Faith has converted the stony hearts into living children of God! 3. FAITH IN THE HEAVENLY COUNTRY Since the believers were expelled from the Jewish temple, and from practicing the communal worship with their brothers, yet St. Paul is lifting up their eyes to a heavenly 10 In Hebr. hom., 23:2. Chapter 1 5 temple and an angelic worship, to realize that what they have lost is not compared to their enjoyment in the unseen world. This was not an imaginary matter, but rather a life of faith which represented an extension to the life of their Fathers, who endured deprivation of many blessings in order to enjoy the heavenly promises. "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them" [13-16]. Here St. Paul emphasizes that the Old Testament men did not put their hope in temporary promises, as some believe, but saw the heavenly country, and the eternal promises hidden behind the temporary promises. They saw with the eyes of faith God's eternal promises, were assured of them by faith, and embraced them by hard labor, because they were fervently longing for them. These promises gave them the feeling that they were strangers waiting for the passover, to enjoy their heavenly country. No worldly matter, regardless of its magnitude, is worthy to distract us from our heavenly goal. St. John Chrysostom says, [Truly, they were in labor pains every day, longing to be liberated from this world, to return to their country. However, whenever we have high fever, we neglect everything and cry like little children who are afraid of death. This we do, not without reason, for we live here not as strangers longing for our country, but instead as ones who feel sad because they are going to receive a penalty. We turn matters upside down, for we become sad when we should be happy, and we tremble as criminals do, whenever they stand before the rulers, for they remember how much fault they have done, thus fear and are scared11.] Men of faith desire their heavenly country, hence God is pleased with them. He is called their Lord, for He prepared a heavenly country for them, where they assemble, and He dwells in their midst forever. He delights in them, and they delight in their Heavenly Father. St. John Chrysostom says, [What a great honor! He is called their Lord. He is glorified in them, those whom He calls Himself their God, that is, the righteous, the long sufferers and those who strive to attain virtues.] In our previous studies of some Old Testament books, we saw that God takes pride in calling Himself Lord to the blessed and not to the evil, although He is Lord to all! He considers holy people His people, but when they commit evil, He does not call them "My people" but rather "the people" or “your people” meaning “Moses’ people12.” 4. MEN OF FAITH (CONTINUED) St. Paul interrupted his talk about examples of men of faith to emphasize their goal, which is their enjoyment of the heavenly country. Then he resumed to give more examples of men and women of the Old Testament: a. Abraham: Once more St. Paul talks about Abraham, declaring his wonderful 11 In Hebr. hom., 24:5. . 12 ا رجع سفر الخرووج 7:32 Chapter 1 6 faith in God's promises, given to him, which seemed to be conflicting with the divine orders to him. God gave him a promise that He will bless Isaac to have innumerable descendants, and in the mean time, He asked him to offer his only son Isaac, the son of the promise, as a sacrifice. Through faith, our father Abraham trusted God's promise without any doubt. St. John Chrysostom says, [He heard the contrary of what was promised from the One who promised him. He obeyed without hesitation, as if God’s order was in harmony with the promises He has already gave him before. Truly according to human calculations, they don’t match, however, according to faith, they do. How did this happen? St. Paul taught us this by saying: himself, "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead" [19]. Through the same faith, God granted him Isaac from a dead womb, also through faith, Abraham believed that even if he offers Isaac as a sacrifice, God can raise him from the dead. According to human calculations, both matters are not possible, that is, giving birth from a dead womb, a barren’s and one suffering from old age, and raising a sacrifice after it is slaughtered, but his former faith in accepting the first made him prepared for accepting the next13.] St. Athanasius of Alexandria commented on Abraham's faith's in offering Isaac as a sacrifice, by saying: [When offering his son, he worshipped the Son of God. When he was prevented from offering Isaac as a sacrifice, he saw the Messiah in the lamb, which was offered as a sacrifice to God instead of him (Gen. 22:15). Our Father the Patriarch was tempted in his son. But anyway, he did not offer a sacrifice, of which was said in Isaiah: "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its sharers is silent, so He opened not His mouth" (Isa.53:7). God accepted the intention of the one who offered the sacrifice, but he was prevented from slaughtering, because Isaac's death does not grant salvation and freedom to the world, but the death of the Savior only can grant salvation. "The chastisement for our peace was upon Him." (Is.53:5)14] Thus, through faith, Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice of love to God. This he saw in the lamb hanging on a tree, the picture of redemption, of the Lamb of God, carrying the sins of the world. Also, he saw in Isaac himself a living picture of Christ’s work of redemption. It is the custom in our Church to mention the fraction of offering Isaac in the Eucharist of every Holy Thursday, as a symbol of the Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross15. b. Isaac: "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come" [20]. Isaac the foreigner blessed his sons Jacob and Esau, looking forward to future matters, that were clear before his eyes. He preferred Jacob over Esau, although Esau was the first-born, because in the eyes of God Jacob became like the first-born, although according to the flesh he is the second. This became like a symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, who became the First-born of the dead, while the first Adam lost his position and is no more the first-born, because after Adam fell, he was not able to please God. But the Lord Jesus was the subject of the delight of the Father, in Him we enjoy to be God’s delight, and He is pleased with us16. 13 In Hebr. hom., 25:2. 14 Pasch. Ep. 6:8,9. 15 القداس الإلهي: قسمة ذبح إسحق. . 16 ا رجع سفر الخروج، 1981 ، إصحاح 13 Chapter 1 7 c. Jacob: “By faith Jacob when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff" [21]. When Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, he put his right hand on Ephraim, the youngest, and his left hand on Menassah, the oldest, thus at the time he gave his blessing, his hands crossed together taking the shape of the cross. This had caused Joseph their father to be upset, and he tried to correct the position of his father’s hands, but Jacob insisted on what he intended to do. Thus, Jacob blessed Ephraim, the youngest, and not the first-born Menassah. This is to prove that God's blessing is not granted to the first-born according to the flesh, but it is a free gift of God granted to anyone who spiritually deserves it. As if Jacob is repeating what his father Isaac has done when he blessed him, though he was the youngest. On the other hand, our father Jacob declared that any spiritual blessing we get, is through the sign of the cross. About the effect of the cross and its blessing, St. Hyppolitus says, [The cross is Jacob's ladder, this tree with heavenly dimensions, was elevated from earth to heaven, which became an eternal branch between heaven and earth to raise up humanity… and join up men of different natures.] His bowing on his staff is a symbol of his bowing to the cross. d. Joseph: “By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel and gave instructions concerning his bones" [22]. Joseph heard the divine promise to his grandfather Abraham, therefore he believed that God will never forsake his people as a foreign nation, therefore, he asked that they may move his bones, declaring his eagerness to see God's promises through his dry bones. In Egypt, Joseph, being the second man after Pharaoh, lived in glory, however, neither was he occupied with the luxury of the palace nor did it make him forget the divine promise. Therefore, he shared the people through faith, the exodus from Egypt, through his intentions of doing so… This is a symbol of going out from the bondage of sin to the new life in the Messiah, the Savior. e. Moses' Parents: "By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command" [23]. When mentioning Moses as a great man of faith, St. Paul did not forget to mention the faith of his parents. St. Paul presented such parents as an example of faith, so we may realize the importance of the family in instructing their children to be raised up as true believers of God. Meaning that we can't ignore the role of the family in supporting the practical life of faith of their children, side by side with the spiritual father. Writing to St. Timothy, St. Paul wrote, "When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also" (2 Tim. 1:5). The faith of Moses' parents was apparent when they hid baby Moses three months, because they saw he was a beautiful child. Stephen, the deacon, says that Moses was very beautiful. What did he see in his face except the reflection of the glory of the risen Christ?! Moses was under the judgment of death, because Pharaoh asked for the killing of all male babies. But the faith of his parents saw an inner beauty in him, therefore they hid him three months to avoid his facing such destiny. Number three refers to the resurrection (the Lord Jesus rose on the third day). So when the baby reappears on the surface of water after these three months, he is drawn out of the water, to preserve life. This is a symbol of Christ’s resurrection, after the three days, to raise us with Him, with the power of His reChapter 1 8 surrection, for we were condemned to death. Moses was very beautiful in his parents' eyes, therefore they hid him for three months. Thus, by faith, we carry in ourselves not only Moses but his Lord, realizing that He is fairer than the sons of men. We hide Him inside us three months till we enjoy the resurrection with Him, so we are no more carried on the river water but rather on the glass sea in Upper Jerusalem. f. Moses: "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin" [24,25]. St. John Chrysostom commented on this verse by saying: [Putting heaven before Moses made his admiration for the Egyptian palace very trivial... He considered the reproach of Christ much better than the easy life, and particularly for this, he deserves a reward… Voluntarily, Moses has put himself in many dangerous situations, although he could have lived in his religious life while enjoying all the luxuries... But he considered, not being prepared to endure afflictions with his brothers, a sin. Therefore, his enduring afflictions and forsaking the royal palace became a good deed, because he saw better things to come, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward17.] By faith, he led the people of Israel in their exodus from Egypt, without fear of the king’s anger, for he knew the real substance of his call! Besides the mystery of how strong the work is, when the leader is God Himself, was clear before his eyes. Hence he told his people, .In the first time he escaped, not merely out of fear of the king but of his brethren, and we may say probably of God. and he worked with human hands. But as the divine order came out to him to work, he obeyed and confronted Pharaoh without any fear. For he knew how strong a work can be when one abides in Him the Almighty God alone. "By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them" [28]. Moses performed this act being a symbol of the act of salvation of the Lord Jesus, the true Passover who made us cross from the bondage of Satan to the freedom of the glory of God's children. This was mentioned in the book of Exodus18. "By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned" [29]. Here, he compares one people with another people. Moses led the people to pass through the Red Sea as by dry land. Since Moses and his people represent God's kingdom, to which the road is opened through the baptismal water, then Pharaoh and his army represent Satan's kingdom which is destroyed through the same baptismal water. Through baptism, the kingdom of Satan is destroyed in us, and will have no place therein, and the kingdom of heaven is risen in us. g. Joshua: "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days" [30]. St. John Chrysostom says: [Definitely, the voices of the trumpets cannot destroy the stones of the walls... but faith can do everything19.] h. Rahab the harlot: "By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who 17 In Hebr. hom., 26:4. . 18 ا رجع سفر الخروج، 1981 ، إصحاح 12 19 In Hebr. hom., 27:2. Chapter 1 9 did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace" [31]. St. John Chrysostom says: [What a shame that we don’t have enough faith when compared to a harlot’s! She heard what the two spies said and believed! The result was that she was the only one who was saved, while everyone else perished. She did not say, "I'd better stay with my many friends," nor, "Why should I be wiser than all the other men who did not believe?" But immediately she believed what will happen, and what the Canaan’s will have to face20.] St. Paul moved from talking about the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, to Joseph then Moses, being the first leader of God's people, then his disciple Joshua who led the people to the promised land. Then he talks about a harlot, a Gentile, Rahab, who received more than what all the other Hebrews received. She deserved to be counted in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus (Matt.1:5) Then he talks about the judges like Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and kings like David, and prophets like Samuel. Thus, he presented examples of a variety of men testifying to God from every era of their history, for there are always witnesses to God even in the darkest ages. After discussing the men and women of faith, he presented examples of the works of faith like: Subduing kingdoms, through faith. Working righteousness. Obtaining promises. Stopping the mouth of lions. Quenching the violence of fire. Escaping from the edge of the sword. Obtaining strength, of weakness. Becoming valiant in battle, turning to fight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again, like what the widow has done with Elijah the prophet.. Enduring the pains of torture, not accepting deliverance, to obtain a better resurrection. Undergoing trials of mockings and scourgings, of chains and imprisonment. Enduring pains till death, bieng stoned, sawn in two, tempted, and slain with the sword. Wandering about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented. These are but actual living examples of works of faith, which the Old Testament people had lived. However, in the New Testament, the believer lives the life of faith with a new spiritual perspective. Through Christ Jesus, the believer overcomes the kingdoms of Satan, sin, and the love of the world. Through Christ Jesus, the believer practices righteousness as His Lord, and is granted the divine promises. Through faith, we can stop the mouth of lions of evil and all the defilement that want to devour us. Through faith, we can quench the fire of carnal lusts, and enjoy deliverance from every sword and evil arrows. Through faith, we are strengthened in spite of our weaknesses as spiritual soldiers in our war against the invisible enemy. By faith, we come near God, as the widow who lost her only son did, assured that our Christ can raise us from the death of sin, as He raised the 20 In Hebr. hom., 27:3. Chapter 1 10 widow’s son. Through faith we endure afflictions joyfully and we do not ask for temporary salvation but rather an eternal reward. Briefly, we repeat what St. John Chrysostom says about what faith does for the believer, and how it grants him victory and spiritual power. He says: [If you put the world on one side of the scale against the believers, you will find that the believers' side will win21.] Though they were destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom yet the Apostle adds, “the world was not worthy” [37,38]. 21 In Hebr. hom., 27:5.
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