Heb 11:1-3
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."
Hypostasis — foundation/substance: faith gives present reality to what is still future. Elenchos — proof/conviction: faith is evidence of the invisible. Faith is not belief without evidence — it is trust based on the character of God, which gives certainty to what is not yet seen.
Heb 11:13-16
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth... But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one."
The paradox of faith: all died without receiving the promises. Faith is not a guarantee of immediate fulfillment — it is long-range vision. The heroes of faith were 'strangers and exiles' (xenoi kai parepidemos) — they did not belong to the present world. Their homeland was heavenly.