Hebrews11
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.
2For therein the elders had witness borne to them.
3By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear.
4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.
5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God:
6and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.
7By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised:
12wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.
13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.
15And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.
17By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
18even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
24By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward.
27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days.
31By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.
32And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets:
33who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens.
35Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
38(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.
39And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise,
40God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Hebrews 11.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The nature and power of faith described. (1–3). It is set forth by instances from Abel to Noah. (4–7). By Abraham and his descendants. (8–19). By Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the Israelites, and Rahab. (20–31). By other Old Testament believers. (32–38). The better state of believers under the gospel. (39, 40).
vv1-3
Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This persuasion gives the soul to enjoy those things now; it gives them a subsistence or reality in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them. Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye. It is a full approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good. This view of faith is explained by many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honourable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings. The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see of the works of creation, were brought into being by the command of God.
vv4-7
Here follow some illustrious examples of faith from the Old Testament. Abel brought a sacrifice of atonement from the firstlings of the flock, acknowledging himself a sinner who deserved to die, and only hoping for mercy through the great Sacrifice. Cain's proud rage and enmity against the accepted worshipper of God, led to the awful effects the same principles have produced in every age; the cruel persecution, and even murder of believers. By faith Abel, being dead, yet speaketh; he left an instructive and speaking example. Enoch was translated, or removed, that he should not see death; God took him into heaven, as Christ will do the saints who shall be alive at his second coming. We cannot come to God, unless we believe that he is what he has revealed himself to be in the Scripture. Those who would find God, must seek him with all their heart. Noah's faith influenced his practice; it moved him to prepare an ark. His faith condemned the unbelief of others; and his obedience condemned their contempt and rebellion. Good examples either convert sinners or condemn them. This shows how believers, being warned of God to flee from the wrath to come, are moved with fear, take refuge in Christ, and become heirs of the righteousness of faith.
vv8-19
We are often called to leave worldly connexions, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both could and would perform it. Many, who have a part in the promises, do not soon receive the things promised. Faith can lay hold of blessings at a great distance; can make them present; can love them and rejoice in them, though strangers; as saints, whose home is heaven; as pilgrims, travelling toward their home. By faith, they overcome the terrors of death, and bid a cheerful farewell to this world, and to all the comforts and crosses of it. And those once truly and savingly called out of a sinful state, have no mind to return into it. All true believers desire the heavenly inheritance; and the stronger faith is, the more fervent those desires will be. Notwithstanding their meanness by nature, their vileness by sin, and the poverty of their outward condition, God is not ashamed to be called the God of all true believers; such is his mercy, such is his love to them. Let them never be ashamed of being called his people, nor of any of those who are truly so, how much soever despised in the world. Above all, let them take care that they are not a shame and reproach to their God. The greatest trial and act of faith upon record is, Abraham's offering up Isaac, Ge 22:2. There, every word shows a trial. It is our duty to reason down our doubts and fears, by looking, as Abraham did, to the Almighty power of God. The best way to enjoy our comforts is, to give them up to God; he will then again give them as shall be the best for us. Let us look how far our faith has caused the like obedience, when we have been called to lesser acts of self-denial, or to make smaller sacrifices to our duty. Have we given up what was called for, fully believing that the Lord would make up all our losses, and even bless us by the most afflicting dispensations?
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
πίστις (pístis): persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself
ἐστί (estí): he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὑπόστασις (hypóstasis): a setting under (support), i.e. (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance (objectively or subjectively)
ἐλπίζω (elpízō): to expect or confide
ἔλεγχος (élenchos): proof, conviction
πρᾶγμα (prâgma): a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object (material)
οὐ (ou): the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
βλέπω (blépō): to look at (literally or figuratively)
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
Cross References
Hebrews 11The foundational Old Testament narrative of Abraham being tested by offering up his son Isaac.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Source of Jacob worshiping, bowing on the bed's head or leaning upon his staff.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The narrative of Jacob by faith blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Joseph's dying words making mention of the departing and commanding concerning his bones.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The history of Moses being hid three months by his parents because he was proper.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Moses keeping the Passover and sprinkling of blood to escape the destroyer of firstborn.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The crossing of the Red Sea by faith as on dry land, which Egyptians assayed.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The historical account of the walls of Jericho falling after being compassed seven days.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Rahab the harlot receiving the spies with peace, exemplifying saving faith.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Genesis record of the creation of the visible worlds by the powerful word of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The account of Abel's accepted sacrifice of the firstlings versus Cain's rejected offering.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The historical account of Enoch walking with God and his translation before seeing death.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The call of Abraham to leave his country, obeying God to receive an unknown inheritance.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The direct quotation establishing that the promised seed of Abraham must be reckoned through Isaac.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Daniel by faith stopping the mouths of lions in the den.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by faith quenching the violence of fiery furnace.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Elijah raising the widow's dead son, a woman receiving her dead raised.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Elisha restoring the Shunammite woman's son to life.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the elders obtaining a good report but not yet receiving the fully realized promise.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Noah's active obedience in preparing the ark exactly as God commanded him by faith.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul's parallel description of Abraham's body and Sarah's womb being biologically 'dead' yet fruitful.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus declares that Abraham rejoiced to see His day, seeing and welcoming it from afar.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Abraham explicitly confesses to the sons of Heth that he is a stranger and sojourner.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul quotes Gen 21:12 to explain God's sovereign covenant lineage through Isaac.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The account of Isaac blessing Jacob and Esau by faith concerning their future destinies.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Moses carrying out Joseph's bone command during the Exodus departure.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Refers to God as 'the King eternal, immortal, invisible,' matching 'seeing him who is invisible.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophets serving not themselves but us with things now fully revealed.
Supported by JFB
The immediate preceding context prompting this entire discourse on saving, persevering faith.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Confirms that by the word of the Lord the heavens and their host were made.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The narrative of Sarah's laughter turning to belief in the promise despite advanced age.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The promise that Abraham's descendants would equal the stars and the sand on the seashore.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jacob confesses to Pharaoh that the days of his pilgrimage have been few and evil.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Exhorts Christians as strangers and pilgrims on earth, mirroring the Old Testament patriarchs.
Supported by Matthew Henry
God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not ashamed of them.
Supported by Matthew Henry