Hebrews11

Hebrews chapter 11 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It then presents a comprehensive list of Old Testament figures, from Abel to the prophets, who demonstrated unwavering faith in God's promises and power. These individuals, through their belief, performed mighty acts, endured great suffering, and lived as pilgrims, looking forward to a heavenly country, though many died without receiving the ultimate promise in their lifetime. Their lives serve as a testament to the enduring power and necessity of faith in pleasing God.
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The Definition and Nature of Faith

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Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ​
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For by it the elders obtained a good report.
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Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. ​

Faith in the Early Generations

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By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. ​
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By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
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But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ​
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By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. ​

The Faith of Abraham and Sarah

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By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. ​
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By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
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For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ​
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Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. ​
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Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
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These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ​
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For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
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And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
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But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. ​
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By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ​
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Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
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Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. ​

Faith of the Next Patriarchs

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By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. ​
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By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
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By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. ​

The Faith of Moses and the Conquest

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By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. ​
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By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
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Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
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Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. ​
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By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. ​
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Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
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By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
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By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
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By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. ​

Faith in the Period of Judges and Kings

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And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ​
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Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
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Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
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Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: ​
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And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
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They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; ​
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(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. ​

The Superiority of the New Covenant

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And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: ​
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God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. ​

Study Notes for Hebrews 11

Verse 1

This classic definition portrays faith not as blind belief, but as firm conviction (substance/hypostasis) regarding the reality of future promises and unseen spiritual truths (evidence/elenchos).

Verse 3

This verse highlights that faith is necessary to accept the doctrine of *creatio ex nihilo* (creation out of nothing), emphasizing that God’s Word brought the visible world into being from things that do not appear.

Verse 4

Abel’s 'more excellent sacrifice' suggests a superior offering based on internal faith (perhaps involving blood/life) rather than a mere natural offering, demonstrating a righteousness attested by God Himself.

Verse 6

This is a foundational theological statement: faith involves two necessary components—belief in God’s existence and belief in His character as a just and generous rewarder.

Verse 7

Noah’s faith was demonstrated by action (preparing the Ark) in response to a warning about an unseen future event, leading to his justification and the condemnation of the disobedient world.

Verse 8

Abraham’s defining act of faith was radical obedience, leaving his established life for an unknown destination solely on the basis of God's promise.

Verse 10

Abraham’s faith was driven by an eternal perspective. He viewed the temporary tents (tabernacles) of Canaan as preparation for a permanent, divine city, the heavenly Jerusalem.

Verse 11

Sarah's inclusion stresses that God empowers the weak and overturns natural limitations (childbearing past age) when individuals trust in the faithfulness of the one who promised.

Verse 13

The patriarchs died without seeing the full fulfillment of the promises (the Messiah and the heavenly city), yet their faith was validated by their willingness to live as 'strangers and pilgrims,' seeking a heavenly homeland.

Verse 16

Because of their unwavering desire for a superior, heavenly country, God honors them by being called 'their God,' a title of intimate covenant relationship.

Verse 17

This account of the sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22) represents the ultimate test of Abraham’s loyalty, forcing him to choose between the physical promise and the character of the Promiser.

Verse 19

Abraham reasoned that God, who had guaranteed the promised seed through Isaac, must also be capable of raising him from the dead; thus, he received Isaac back 'in a figure' of resurrection.

Verse 20

Isaac’s blessing, though given late in life, demonstrated faith by looking forward to the future destinies of Jacob and Esau, confirming God’s covenant plan.

Verse 22

Joseph’s final command concerning his bones (Genesis 50:25) was an act of faith, asserting his conviction that Israel would certainly inherit the promised land of Canaan.

Verse 23

Moses’ parents demonstrated faith by resisting the Pharaoh's decree, recognizing the divine favor upon their child and trusting God over human authority.

Verse 26

Moses valued suffering for God’s cause (the 'reproach of Christ' being an anticipatory reference to the Messiah’s suffering) more highly than the finite wealth of Egypt, focusing on his ultimate eternal reward.

Verse 27

Moses’ perseverance during the Exodus was based on a spiritual vision—enduring hardship because he had a constant awareness of the invisible, ever-present God.

Verse 31

Rahab, a Gentile outsider, demonstrated covenant faith by aligning herself with God’s people, resulting in her salvation from judgment and inclusion in Israel’s lineage.

Verse 32

The author shifts to a rapid summary, listing heroes from the Judges, Monarchy, and Prophets to emphasize the breadth of faith throughout Israel’s history.

Verse 35

This verse contrasts those delivered by faith with those who refused deliverance under torture (likely referencing the Maccabean martyrs) in hope of a superior, future resurrection.

Verse 37

The extensive list of persecutions (including being sawn asunder, traditionally applied to Isaiah) serves to remind the readers that suffering for faith is historically normative.

Verse 38

This parenthetical statement emphasizes the moral bankruptcy of a world that rejects and persecutes God’s greatest servants, of whom the world was truly unworthy.

Verse 39

Though these Old Testament heroes exhibited great faith and received divine approval, they died without fully receiving the ultimate promise—the realization of the New Covenant in Christ.

Verse 40

Their 'perfection' (completion of their spiritual journey) is tied to the New Covenant community; God intended for the Old and New Testament saints to reach their ultimate goal together in Christ.

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