# G5287 - hypostasis **Strong's:** [G5287](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5287/) · BLB lookup **Pronunciation:** hoop-os'-tas-is **Part of speech:** feminine noun **Root:** *hypo-* (under / beneath) + *stasis* (a standing), literally "that which stands under" / "underlying reality" **NT occurrences:** 5 ([2 Corinthians 9:4](/codex/2-corinthians-9-4/); 11:17; [Hebrews 1:3](/codex/hebrews-1-3/); 3:14; 11:1) ## Semantic range (Thayer / BDAG / TDNT) 1. **The substance / underlying reality** of something, what makes it really be 2. **Confidence / assurance / firm trust**, having a "firm standing" emotionally / volitionally 3. **Essence / nature** (in patristic and Trinitarian usage: *person*, see below) 4. **Substantive thing / undertaking**, that which gives reality / objective grounding The semantic range spans: - Metaphysical (substance / essence) - Psychological (assurance / confidence) - Volitional (resolution / undertaking) ## NT uses ### [Hebrews 1:3](/codex/hebrews-1-3/), *charaktēr tēs hypostaseōs autou* > He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation (*charaktēr*) of His nature (*hypostaseōs*). ([Hebrews 1:3](/codex/hebrews-1-3/), NASB95) The Father's *hypostasis* (essential nature / substance) is *exactly represented* (*charaktēr*) by the Son. The Christological force: the Son perfectly displays the Father's essential being. Combined with [Colossians 1.15](/codex/colossians-1-15/) (image of the invisible God) and [John 1.18](/codex/john-1-18/) (the Son who has explained the Father), [Hebrews 1:3](/codex/hebrews-1-3/) is one of the strongest NT statements of the Son's full deity. ### [Hebrews 11:1](/codex/hebrews-11-1/), *pistis estin elpizomenōn hypostasis* > Now faith is the assurance (*hypostasis*) of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ([Hebrews 11:1](/codex/hebrews-11-1/), NASB95) *Hypostasis* here is the substantial / objective grounding of hope, what gives hope its real-standing. Faith is not wishful thinking; it has *hypostasis*, substantive grounding in God's reality. ### [Hebrews 3:14](/codex/hebrews-3-14/), *hypostaseōs* held firm > For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance (*hypostaseōs*) firm until the end. ([Hebrews 3:14](/codex/hebrews-3-14/), NASB95) *Hypostasis* here = the believer's firm standing / confidence in Christ, to be maintained. ### [2 Corinthians 9:4](/codex/2-corinthians-9-4/); 11:17 In these contexts, *hypostasis* approaches "confidence" / "boasting", the firmness of Paul's claims. ## The Trinitarian-doctrinal use of *hypostasis* The most theologically significant use of *hypostasis* is **patristic / Trinitarian**, beyond NT-direct usage. The Cappadocian Fathers (Basil of Caesarea, [Gregory of Nazianzus](/codex/gregory-of-nazianzus/), Gregory of Nyssa, c. AD 360-380) crystallized the Trinitarian formula: **One *ousia* (essence / substance), three *hypostaseis* (persons / individual subsistences).** - **ousia** = the *what*, the divine essence / nature - **hypostasis** = the *who*, the distinct personal subsistence (Father / Son / Spirit) This usage *develops* the NT semantic range: the Father, Son, and Spirit are each fully divine (*homoousios*, same essence) but distinct as persons (*treis hypostaseis*, three persons / individual subsistences). **Earlier Latin / Greek confusion:** *hypostasis* in earlier patristic Greek often meant "essence / substance", close to *ousia*. The Latin equivalent *substantia* (literally translating *hypostasis*) created confusion when Western theologians said "one substance" and Eastern theologians distinguished *one ousia / three hypostaseis*. The Cappadocians clarified: *hypostasis* = "person" (technical sense), *ousia* = "essence." This terminological clarification was crucial for the Trinitarian dogma. ## *Hypostasis* and the hypostatic union The doctrine of the **hypostatic union**, that Christ is one person (*hypostasis*) in two natures (divine + human), uses this same vocabulary. The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) formulated: > We confess one and the same our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead, the same perfect in manhood, truly God and truly man… acknowledged in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being in no way destroyed by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in *one person* and *one hypostasis*… **One hypostasis** = the personal Subject (the Son of God). **Two natures** = divine + human. The hypostasis (person) of the eternal Son is the locus of the union. ## Christological force [Hebrews 1:3](/codex/hebrews-1-3/)'s *charaktēr tēs hypostaseōs autou* combined with Trinitarian-patristic development establishes: 1. The Son shares the Father's essential being (*homoousios*) 2. The Son is a distinct person (*hypostasis*) from the Father 3. In the incarnation, the divine *hypostasis* of the Son united to a human nature 4. Christ is therefore one person (the eternal Son) in two natures (divine + human) ## Notable verses outside NT but in patristic use The Trinitarian / Christological use is patristic-developmental, beyond direct NT usage: - Athanasius, Basil, [Gregory of Nazianzus](/codex/gregory-of-nazianzus/), [Cyril of Alexandria](/codex/cyril-of-alexandria/), extensive - Council of Nicaea (AD 325), *homoousios* established - Council of Constantinople (AD 381), Cappadocian formula canonized - Council of Ephesus (AD 431), *theotokos*, against Nestorius - Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), hypostatic union formula ## Patristic / scholarly note The technical-Trinitarian use of *hypostasis* is one of the most-studied patristic-philological developments. Modern conservative engagement: J. N. D. Kelly (*Early Christian Doctrines*, 1958/2003); Robert Letham (*The Holy Trinity*, 2004); Khaled Anatolios (*Retrieving Nicaea*, 2011); John Behr (*The Way to Nicaea*, 2001; *The Nicene Faith*, 2004). ## See also - [G2316 - theos](/codex/g2316-theos/), God / Godhead - [G2320 - theotes](/codex/g2320-theotes/), Deity (essence, *theotēs*) - [G3962 - pater](/codex/g3962-pater/), Father - [G5207 - huios](/codex/g5207-huios/), Son - [G4151 - pneuma](/codex/g4151-pneuma/), Spirit - [G3439 - monogenes](/codex/g3439-monogenes/), only-begotten - [Trinity](/codex/trinity/), synthesis hub - [Christology](/codex/christianity/), synthesis hub ## Notes _Lexical workspace for hypostasis._