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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report." O what an expression has he used, in saying, "an evidence of things not seen." For we say there is "evidence," in the case of things that are very plain. Faith then is the seeing things not plain (he means), and brings what are not seen to the same full assurance with what are seen. …
Cyril of Jerusalem
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report." Notice how great a dignity the Lord bestows on you in transferring you from the order of catechumens to that of the faithful. The apostle Paul says as much when he affirms, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ." Since God is here called faithful, you also in receiving this title receive a great dignity. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Finally, the apostle describes faith to us, saying that it is the realization of that which does not yet exist, and the substantiation of that which has not yet come to pass. For example, the resurrection has not yet come to pass, but faith affirms this and places it before our eyes. "Assurance," that is, a showing, a revealing "of things not seen." For it makes these things contemplated by our mind as though they exist. So if faith has such power, then why do you want to actually see them, so as to fall away from faith? …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
If they are not seen, how can you be convinced that they exist? Well, where do these things that you see come from, if not from one whom you cannot see? Yes, of course you see something in order to believe something, and from what you can see to believe what you cannot see. Please do not be ungrateful to the one who made you able to see; this is why you are able to believe what you are not yet able to see. God gave you eyes in your head, reason in your heart. …
Gregory the Dialogist
But he touched, and exclaimed: My Lord, and my God. Jesus says to him: Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed. Since the apostle Paul says: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not appearing, it is certainly clear that faith is the evidence of those things which cannot appear. For those things which appear no longer have faith, but recognition. Therefore when Thomas saw, when he touched, why is it said to him: Because you have seen me, you have believed? …
Thomas Aquinas
551. – Above, the Apostle showed Christ's superiority in many ways by preferring Him to the angels, to Moses and to Aaron, and advised the faithful to be united to Christ. Since this union consists principally in faith and begins with faith: 'That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts' (Eph. 3:17), the Apostle proceeds to recommend this faith and does three things: first he describes faith; secondly, he gives various examples of it (v. 2); thirdly, he exhorts them to the things which pertain to faith (chap. 12). 552. …
Translation