Bible Dictionary
SUBSTANCE
Substance ordinarily means material goods, possessions, or property. In Hebrews 11:1 it can mean the assurance or firm basis of hoped-for things, and in Hebrews 1:3 it refers to God’s underlying being or essence.
Biblical Usage
The word refers to possessions and goods in several passages. In Hebrews 11:1 it describes faith as the assurance or giving of substance to things hoped for. In Hebrews 1:3 it concerns Christ as the exact image of God’s invisible essence or being.