Hebrews 11:39

KJV

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} these {G3778} all {G3956}, having obtained a good report {G3140} through {G1223} faith {G4102}, received {G2865} not {G3756} the promise {G1860}:

Complete Jewish Bible

All of these had their merit attested because of their trusting. Nevertheless, they did not receive what had been promised,

Berean Standard Bible

These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.

American Standard Version

And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 11:39 serves as a poignant and pivotal summary at the culmination of the "Hall of Faith" chapter, encapsulating the extraordinary lives of Old Testament saints. It profoundly highlights that while these heroes and heroines of faith lived exemplary lives, demonstrating unwavering trust and obedience that earned them divine commendation, they nonetheless did not experience the full, ultimate realization of God's grand redemptive promise during their earthly sojourn. This verse sets the stage for understanding the unique position of New Covenant believers in God's unfolding plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a powerful concluding statement to the extensive and inspiring catalogue of faithful individuals detailed from [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith") through [Hebrews 11:38](/hebrews/11-38 "Hebrews 11:38 - Persecution of the Faithful"). The preceding verses meticulously recount the trials, triumphs, and unwavering trust of figures such as Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. The author meticulously builds a case for the enduring nature of faith, showcasing how these individuals, through diverse circumstances, all lived by a conviction of things unseen and a hope for realities not yet realized. The narrative flow moves from individual examples to a collective summary, emphasizing that despite their varied experiences, a common thread of faith united them, yet a common experience of "not receiving the promise" also defined their earthly journey. This verse directly anticipates the crucial explanation offered in [Hebrews 11:40](/hebrews/11-40 "Hebrews 11:40 - God's Better Plan for Us").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of the book of Hebrews was primarily Jewish Christians who were facing intense persecution and temptation to revert to Judaism. The author's overarching purpose is to demonstrate the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant over the Old Covenant, thereby encouraging these believers to persevere in their faith. By presenting a long list of Old Testament figures who endured hardship and died in faith without seeing the full culmination of God's promises, the author provides a powerful historical precedent for enduring faith. These Old Testament saints lived under the Mosaic Law and the promises made to Abraham, anticipating a future Messiah and a spiritual inheritance. Their lives, often marked by wandering, exile, and suffering, reflect the transient nature of their earthly existence, as highlighted in [Hebrews 11:13-16](/hebrews/11-13-16 "Hebrews 11:13-16 - The Heavenly Homeland"). The cultural context of their time involved a strong emphasis on lineage, covenant, and the expectation of a coming deliverer, all of which informed their forward-looking faith.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 11:39 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes woven throughout the chapter and the broader epistle. Foremost among these is the theme of **Faith's Enduring Nature**, illustrating that genuine faith is not contingent upon immediate gratification or visible fulfillment, but rather a steadfast trust in God's character and His future promises, even when delayed. Another prominent theme is **Divine Commendation**, as the phrase "obtained a good report" signifies God's explicit approval and testimony to their lives of faith, underscoring that their unwavering belief earned them a place in the divine record of honor. The verse also highlights **The Unfulfilled Promise**, referring to the ultimate realization of God's redemptive plan, specifically the coming of the Messiah, the establishment of the New Covenant, and the complete heavenly inheritance, which their faith pointed forward to. Finally, this verse subtly but powerfully sets the stage for the theme of **The Superiority of the New Covenant**, serving as a bridge to [Hebrews 11:40](/hebrews/11-40 "Hebrews 11:40 - God's Better Plan for Us"), which reveals that God had a "better thing" in mind for New Covenant believers, through whom the Old Testament saints would ultimately be perfected in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **obtained a good report (Greek, _martyréō'_):** This verb, found in the passive voice (μαρτυρηθέντες, *martyrēthentes*), literally means "having been testified of" or "having been borne witness to." According to G3140, it signifies being a witness or testifying, but in this passive form, it emphasizes that God Himself bore witness to their faith. It implies divine commendation and approval, indicating that their lives were a public testament, validated and acknowledged by God as examples of true faith. Their "good report" was not merely human opinion but a divine declaration of their faithfulness.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** As defined by G4102, *pístis* encompasses persuasion, credence, and moral conviction of religious truth, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. In the context of Hebrews 11, it is the fundamental principle by which these individuals lived. It signifies not just intellectual assent but a deep, abiding trust and loyalty to God and His promises, even when those promises were unseen or delayed. Their faith was the channel (as indicated by *diá*, "through") through which they received divine approval and lived lives worthy of commendation.
* **promise (Greek, _epangelía'_):** From G1860, *epangelía* refers to an announcement, a divine assurance of good, or a pledge. In Hebrews, this term is rich with theological significance, often referring to the future blessings, the New Covenant, and the ultimate inheritance that God has pledged to His people. For the Old Testament saints, this "promise" encompassed the coming of the Messiah, the establishment of His eternal kingdom, and the full realization of salvation, which they anticipated but did not fully experience in their lifetime.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these all":** This opening phrase, introduced by the conjunction "And" (G2532, *kaí*), serves as a collective summation, drawing together the vast array of individuals previously mentioned in the chapter. "These all" (G3778 *hoûtos* and G3956 *pâs*) emphasizes the universality of the statement, encompassing every single one of the Old Testament heroes and heroines of faith, from Abel to the martyrs of the Maccabean era. It underscores that despite their diverse callings, experiences, and historical periods, they shared a common characteristic and a common experience.
* **"having obtained a good report through faith":** This clause highlights the central commendable aspect of their lives. Their "good report" (G3140, *martyréō*) was not self-generated but divinely bestowed, signifying that God Himself bore witness to their lives as examples of genuine faith. The phrase "through faith" (G1223 *diá* and G4102 *pístis*) is crucial, identifying faith as the indispensable means or channel by which they pleased God and received His commendation. Their lives were a living testimony to the power and efficacy of faith in God's promises, even in the face of adversity and delay.
* **"received not the promise":** This is the poignant and seemingly paradoxical conclusion to their story. Despite their exemplary faith and divine commendation, they "received not" (G2865 *komízō* and G3756 *ou*) the full "promise" (G1860, *epangelía*). This does not imply a failure on God's part or a lack of reward for their faith. Rather, it signifies that the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, particularly the coming of Christ and the inauguration of the New Covenant, was reserved for a later time. They lived in anticipation, looking forward to the very reality that New Covenant believers now experience. This deferral of the promise is key to understanding God's progressive revelation and the unique privilege of the Christian era.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs several literary devices in this concise verse. **Summarization** is evident as the verse acts as a powerful capstone to the preceding catalogue of faith, drawing together a diverse group of individuals under a single, unifying statement. This creates a sense of **unity** among the Old Testament saints, emphasizing their shared experience despite their individual narratives. The use of **Paradox** is central to the verse's impact: these individuals were highly commended for their faith, yet they did not receive the very promise their faith was directed toward. This apparent contradiction immediately compels the reader to seek further explanation, which is provided in the subsequent verse. The phrase "obtained a good report" functions as a form of **Eulogy** or commendation, elevating the status of these figures and presenting them as models worthy of emulation. Finally, the verse employs **Anticipation**, subtly building suspense and preparing the reader for the profound theological revelation that follows in [Hebrews 11:40](/hebrews/11-40 "Hebrews 11:40 - God's Better Plan for Us"), where the reason for this deferral is finally unveiled.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 11:39 profoundly underscores the continuity and progressive nature of God's redemptive plan. It reveals that the faith of the Old Testament saints, though genuine and divinely commended, was inherently forward-looking, anticipating a greater reality yet to come. Their "not receiving the promise" highlights that salvation has always been by grace through faith, but the full manifestation of that salvation, particularly the person and work of Jesus Christ, was the ultimate "promise" that would bring all of God's people to perfection. This verse bridges the Old and New Covenants, emphasizing that while the Old Testament saints believed in a future Messiah, New Testament believers live in the light of His accomplished work, thereby participating in the full realization of God's covenant promises. Their faith points to Christ, and our faith rests in Him, uniting all believers across history in one grand narrative of redemption.

* [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")
* [Galatians 3:6-9](/galatians/3-6-9 "Galatians 3:6-9 - Abraham's Faith and Justification")
* [1 Peter 1:10-12](/1_peter/1-10-12 "1 Peter 1:10-12 - Prophets Inquired About Salvation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 11:39 offers profound encouragement and a vital perspective for believers navigating the complexities of faith in the present age. Just as the Old Testament saints lived by faith in promises yet to be fully realized, we too are called to persevere, even when we do not see the immediate or complete manifestation of God's plan in our lifetime or in the world around us. This verse reminds us that true faith is not about instant gratification or seeing every promise fulfilled according to our timetable, but about unwavering trust in God's character and His ultimate faithfulness. We are part of a continuous lineage of faith, standing on the shoulders of those who believed before us, and anticipating the same glorious future with them. Our faith looks forward to [Christ's second coming](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus Promises to Return"), the resurrection of the dead, and the [new heaven and new earth](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth"). This calls us to live by [faith, not by sight](/2_corinthians/5-7 "2 Corinthians 5:7 - Walking by Faith"), trusting in God's perfect timing and His ultimate faithfulness to His word, knowing that our ultimate perfection and reward are bound up with Christ's return and the consummation of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that the Old Testament saints "received not the promise" deepen your appreciation for the New Covenant in Christ?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently called to exercise faith without seeing immediate fulfillment, similar to the heroes of Hebrews 11?**
* **How does the "good report" these saints obtained through faith encourage you to live a life that is commended by God, regardless of earthly outcomes?**

### FAQ

**What "promise" did the Old Testament saints not receive according to Hebrews 11:39?**

Answer: The "promise" they did not receive refers to the full, ultimate realization of God's redemptive plan, specifically the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the inauguration of the New Covenant. While they believed in God's covenant promises and anticipated a future deliverer, they did not live to see the Incarnation, the atoning death and resurrection of Christ, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, or the full establishment of the new spiritual reality that brings complete access to God. Their faith pointed forward to these climactic events, which were reserved for a later time, as explained further in [Hebrews 11:40](/hebrews/11-40 "Hebrews 11:40 - God's Better Plan for Us").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 11:39 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the reality that Jesus Christ is the ultimate "better thing" (as stated in [Hebrews 11:40](/hebrews/11-40 "Hebrews 11:40 - God's Better Plan for Us")) that the Old Testament saints anticipated but did not receive in their lifetime. Their faith, though commendable, was a faith that looked forward to a Messiah who would perfectly fulfill all of God's promises. Jesus is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the [mediator of a new covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant"), and the one through whom [we have access to God by the Spirit](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ"). The "promise" they received not was the full revelation of God's grace and truth embodied in Christ ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ")). It is through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection that believers, both Old and New Testament saints, are brought to ultimate perfection and receive the full inheritance of salvation ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ's Redemption and Eternal Inheritance")). Thus, Christ is the culmination of all their hopes, the substance of their unseen faith, and the one in whom all God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2_corinthians/1-20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 11:13

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.

Luke 10:23

And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see:

Luke 10:24

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them].

Hebrews 11:2

For by it the elders obtained a good report.

1 Peter 1:12

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.