Hebrews 11:3 is another passage that some of our critics will use to attack our doctrines. This one rarely is used on its own but generally is cited with a scholar who holds a view of creation out of nothing. But it that what this passage really states? Not so much, when we look at the Greek text and the usage of the key word in the Greek passage. But some translations are worded in such a way as to make this passage more useful to the critics. So, the first thing to do is to look at the Greek form κατηρισθαι, which is the perfect passive infinite form of the root καταρτιζω. This word has within it a sense of bringing to completion. How it is used in this passage, as well as in each and every single passage in which it occurs in the Greek text of the New Testament, never is used in a way that it could be taken as referring to creation out of nothing. It always in all other places in scripture, involves working with things that already exist, present and at hand, whether that be repairing, renewing, adjusting, preparing, completing, or perfecting.
D. Charles Pyle, I Have Said Ye Are Gods:
Concepts Conducive to the Early Christian Doctrine of Deification in Patristic
Literature and the Underlying Strata of the Greek New Testament (Revised and
Supplemented)
(North Charleston, S.C.: CreateSpace, 2018), 337
The Other instances of καταρτίζω in
the New Testament:
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James
the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father,
mending (καταρτίζω) their nets; and he called them. (Matt 4:21; cf. Mark 1:19)
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus
saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings thou hast perfected (καταρτίζω) praise? (Matt 21:16)
The disciple is not above his master: but everyone that is
perfect (καταρτίζω) shall be as his master. (Luke 6:40)
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his powre
known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted (καταρτίζω)
to destruction (Rom 9:22)
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among
you; but that ye be perfectly joined (καταρτίζω) in the same mind and in the
same judgment. (1 Cor 1:10)
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect (καταρτίζω), be of
good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace
shall be with you. (2 Cor 13:11)
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore (καταρτίζω) such as one in the spirit of meekness,
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Gal 6:1)
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your
face, and might perfect (καταρτίζω) that which is lacking in your faith? (1
Thess 3:10)
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice
and offering Thou hast not desired, But a body Thou hast prepared (καταρτίζω)
for Me (Heb 10:5)
Make you perfect (καταρτίζω) in every good work to do his
will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb 13:21)
But God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal
glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect
(καταρτίζω), stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Pet 5:10)
