Hebrews 11

Commentary on Hebrews Chapter 11

Overview

Hebrews chapter 11, following the explanation of the nature and power of faith in the previous chapter, illuminates the lives of ancient saints who lived by faith, urging readers to practice faith. This chapter begins with a definition of faith and vividly demonstrates how faith operates and fulfills God's promises through the lives of numerous predecessors in faith, from Abel to Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Moses.

Structure of the Text

Verses 1-3: The definition and importance of faith.

Verses 4-38: Examples of individuals who lived by faith.

Verse 4: Abel

Verses 5-6: Enoch

Verse 7: Noah

Verses 8-10: Abraham

Verses 11-12: Sarah

Verses 13-16: Ancestors who died without receiving the promises

Verses 17-19: Abraham's offering of Isaac

Verse 20: Isaac

Verse 21: Jacob

Verse 22: Joseph

Verses 23-28: Moses

Verse 29: The people of Israel

Verse 30: The walls of Jericho

Verse 31: Rahab

Verses 32-38: Other predecessors of faith

Key Themes

Definition of Faith: Faith is the assurance (ὑπόστασις, hypostasis) of things hoped for, the conviction (ἔλεγχος, elenchos) of things not seen. It is the certainty and evidence of God's promises, which are not yet visible but clearly exist and will be realized.

The Operation of Faith: Faith is not merely an abstract concept but manifests in concrete actions and obedience in life. People of faith listened to God's word and obeyed, and persevered without wavering, looking to God's promises amidst hardship and persecution.

The Victory of Faith: Faith enables one to overcome present difficulties, look to future promises, and ultimately fulfill God's will and achieve glorious results. Although the predecessors of faith did not receive the perfect fulfillment in this life, they lived looking for a better homeland.

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Verses 1-3: Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the evidence of what we do not see. By this faith, the ancients gained a good reputation with God. We understand by faith that the universe was created by God's word, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Verse 4: By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he gained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying to his gifts. He is dead, but his faith still speaks.

Verses 5-6: By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death. He was not found, because God took him up. For before he was taken up, he had this testimony, that he pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Verse 7: By faith, Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear prepared an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Verses 8-10: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For he was waiting for the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Verses 11-12: By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, because she considered him who had promised to be faithful. And so from one man, and him as good as dead, sprang descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore.

Verses 13-16: These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and welcomed them from a distance, and they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Verses 17-19: By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he also received him back.

Verse 20: By faith Isaac invoked a blessing on Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come.

Verse 21: By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.

Verse 22: By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Verses 23-28: By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger, for he persevered as though seeing him who is invisible. He kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

Verse 29: By faith the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

Verse 30: By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

Verse 31: By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a peaceful welcome to the spies.

Verses 32-38: And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became valiant in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some suffered torment, refusing to accept release, that they might gain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering over deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Insights from the Original Languages

Verse 1:

Faith (πίστις, pistis): Means 'faithfulness', 'assurance'. In this text, it refers not only to Christian faith but also to faith as an abstract concept.

Assurance (ὑπόστασις, hypostasis): Means 'foundation', 'reality', 'subsistence'. It denotes the reality that serves as the basis for what is hoped for.

Conviction (ἔλεγχος, elenchos): Means 'proof', 'evidence', 'convincing'. It signifies the power to prove the actual existence of unseen things.

Verse 5:

Taken up (μετετέθη, metetethē): Means 'to be transferred', 'to be changed', indicating Enoch's special experience of being taken directly to God without seeing death.

Verse 27:

As though seeing him who is invisible (ὡς τὸν ἀόρατον ὡς ὁρῶν, hōs ton aoraton hōs horōn): This expression emphasizes faith's ability to grasp spiritual reality beyond the senses.

Theological Perspectives - Comparative Analysis by Tradition

Reformed Tradition: Emphasizes that faith is a gift of God's grace, manifested in obedience and perseverance based on assurance in God's promises. It explains the completeness of salvation through Christ's priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, viewing the saints of the Old Covenant as saved by the same faith but receiving more complete promises through Christ.

Methodist Tradition: Understands faith as an essential element of salvation, understood as God's grace and human response. It includes not only justifying faith but also sanctifying faith, emphasizing the practical aspects of faith and life transformation.

Lutheran Tradition: Stresses that faith is entirely by God's grace, and one is justified by the righteousness of Christ. It clearly distinguishes between law and gospel, explaining that Christ fulfilled the demands of the law, which is received by faith.

Holiness Tradition: Views faith not only for salvation but also as power for Spirit-filled and holy living. It believes that all things are possible through faith and that God's promises are experienced presently.

Presbyterian Tradition: Sees faith as trust in God's covenant, forming the foundation of life as God's covenant people. While distinguishing between justifying and sanctifying faith, it emphasizes their close connection and demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness through the lives of the predecessors of faith.

Cross-References

Hebrews 10: The teaching that one is justified by faith and receives eternal life leads into the evidence of faith in chapter 11.

Genesis 1-11: The stories of Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham, mentioned in Hebrews 11, are recorded here.

Exodus: The faith-filled events of Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea and the fall of Jericho are described in detail.

Psalm 110: The prophecy of Christ's priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, mentioned in Hebrews 7, serves as a significant theological background for the entire book of Hebrews.

Sermon / Application Points

Faith is seeing beyond 'the visible': Today, we too must hold onto God's promises and unseen spiritual realities by faith, without being swayed by our immediate circumstances.

Faith begins with 'hearing' and is completed in 'obedience': Faith begins with hearing and understanding God's word, but it truly demonstrates its power when it is manifested in concrete obedience in our lives.

Faith allows us to see 'hope even in suffering': Like the predecessors of faith in Hebrews 11, we too can persevere and triumph in hope, looking to God's promises amidst life's difficulties and persecutions.

Faith is the foundation of a 'life that pleases God': We must remember that God is pleased and rewards us when we believe in Him and live according to His will, and strive for a life that pleases Him.

The legacy of faith is 'passed down to the next generation': The lives of our faith predecessors offer us valuable lessons and encouragement. We too have a responsibility to faithfully pass on our faith to the next generation.