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.

The Definition and Nature of Faith

1
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. ​
2
For by this, the elders obtained testimony.
3
By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible. ​

Faith in the Early Generations

4
By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks. ​
5
By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.
6
Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. ​
7
By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. ​

The Faith of Abraham and Sarah

8
By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went. ​
9
By faith, he lived as an alien 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.
10
For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ​
11
By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised. ​
12
Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.
13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ​
14
For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15
If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.
16
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. ​
17
By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son; ​
18
even he to whom it was said, “In Isaac will your seed be called”;
19
concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead. ​

Faith of the Next Patriarchs

20
By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. ​
21
By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22
By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones. ​

The Faith of Moses and the Conquest

23
By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. ​
24
By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25
choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;
26
accounting the reproach of Messiahship greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. ​
27
By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. ​
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By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
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By faith, they passed through the Sea of Suf as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.
30
By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days.
31
By faith, Rahab the prostitute, didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace. ​

Faith in the Period of Judges and Kings

32
What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets; ​
33
who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34
quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.
35
Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ​
36
Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.
37
They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated ​
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(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. ​

The Superiority of the New Covenant

39
These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn’t receive the promise, ​
40
God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they 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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