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Introduction
1 | What faith is. |
6 | Without faith we cannot please God. |
7 | The worthy fruits thereof in the fathers of old time. |
Verse 1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.- faith
- 13; 10:22,39; Acts 20:21; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Galatians 5:6; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:7; 2 Peter 1:1
- is the
- Psalms 27:13; 42:11
- substance
- or, ground, or, confidence.
- 2:3; 3:14; 2 Corinthians 9:4; 11:17; *Gr:
- hoped
- 6:12,18,19
- the evidence
- 7,27; Romans 8:24,25; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:17; 1 Peter 1:8
Verse 2
For by it the elders obtained a good report.- the elders
Verse 3
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
- 1:2; Genesis 1:1-31; 2:1; Psalms 33:6; Isaiah 40:26; Jeremiah 10:11,16; John 1:3; Acts 14:15; 17:24; Romans 1:19-21; 4:17; 2 Peter 3:5; Revelation 4:11
Verse 4
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.- faith
- Genesis 4:3-5,15,25; 1 John 3:11,12
- a more
- 9:22; Proverbs 15:8; 21:27; Titus 1:16; Jude 1:11
- he obtained
- Leviticus 9:24; 1 Kings 18:38; Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51
- and by
- 12:1,24; Genesis 4:10; Matthew 23:35
- yet speaketh
- or, is yet spoken of.
Verse 5
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.- Enoch
- Genesis 5:22-24; Luke 3:37; Jude 1:14
- translated
- 2 Kings 2:11; Psalms 89:48; John 8:51,52
- and was
- 2 Kings 2:16,17; Jeremiah 36:26; Revelation 11:9-12
- this testimony
- 3,4
- that he
- 6; Genesis 5:22; Romans 8:8,9; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 John 3:22
Verse 6
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.- without
- 3:12,18,19; 4:2,6; Numbers 14:11; 20:12; Psalms 78:22,32; 106:21,22,24; Isaiah 7:9; Mark 16:17; John 3:18,19; 8:24; Galatians 5:6; Revelation 21:8
- he that
- 7:25; Job 21:14; Psalms 73:28; Isaiah 55:3; Jeremiah 2:31; John 14:6
- must
- Romans 10:14
- a rewarder
- 26; Genesis 15:1; Ruth 2:12; Psalms 58:11; Proverbs 11:18; Matthew 5:12; 6:1,2,5,16; Matthew 10:41,42; Luke 6:35
- diligently
- 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalms 105:3,4; 119:10; Proverbs 8:17; Song of Solomon 3:1-4; Jeremiah 29:13,14; Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31; 2 Peter 1:5,10; 3:14
Verse 7
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.- Noah
- Genesis 6:13,22; 7:1,5; Matthew 24:38; Luke 17:26
- Noe
- 2 Peter 2:5
- warned
- Genesis 6:13; 19:14; Exodus 9:18-21; Proverbs 22:3; 27:12; Ezekiel 3:17-19; Matthew 3:7; Matthew 24:15,25; 2 Peter 3:6
- things
- moved with fear
- or, being wary.
- 5:7; *Gr:
- prepared
- Genesis 6:18; 7:1,23; 8:16; Ezekiel 14:14,20; 1 Peter 3:20
- he condemned
- Matthew 12:41,42; Luke 11:31,32
- righteousness
- Romans 1:17; 3:22; 4:11,13; 9:30; 10:6; Galatians 5:5; Philippians 3:9; 2 Peter 1:1
Verse 8
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.- Abraham
- Genesis 11:31; 12:1-4; Joshua 24:3; Nehemiah 9:7,8; Isaiah 41:2; 51:2; Acts 7:2-4
- which
- Genesis 12:7; 13:15-17; 15:7,8; 17:8; 26:3; Deuteronomy 9:5; Psalms 105:9-11; Ezekiel 36:24
- obeyed
- 33; 5:9; Genesis 22:18; 15:5; Matthew 7:24,25; Romans 1:5; 6:17; 10:16; 2 Corinthians 10:5; James 2:14-16; 1 Peter 1:22; 3:1; 4:17
Verse 9
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:- he sojourned
- Genesis 17:8; 23:4; 26:3; 35:27; Acts 7:5,6
- dwelling
- Genesis 12:8; 13:3,18; 18:1,2,6,9; 25:27
- the heirs
- 6:17; Genesis 26:3,4; 28:4,13,14; 48:3,4
Verse 10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.- he looked
- 12:22,28; 13:14; John 14:2; Philippians 3:20; *Gr:; Revelation 21:2,10-27
- whose
- 3:4; Isaiah 14:32; 2 Corinthians 5:1
Verse 11
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.- Sara
- Genesis 17:17-19; 18:11-14; 21:1,2; Luke 1:36; 1 Peter 3:5,6
- because
- 10:23; Romans 4:20,21
Verse 12
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.- and him
- Romans 4:19
- as the stars
- Genesis 15:5; 22:17; 26:4; Exodus 32:13; Deuteronomy 1:10; 28:62; 1 Chronicles 27:23; Nehemiah 9:23; Romans 4:17
- as the sand
- Genesis 22:17; 32:12; Joshua 11:4; Judges 7:12; 1 Samuel 12:5; 2 Samuel 17:11; 1 Kings 4:20; Isaiah 10:22; 48:19; Jeremiah 33:22; Hosea 1:10; Habakkuk 1:9; Romans 4:18; 9:27; Revelation 20:8
Verse 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.- all died
- Genesis 25:8; 27:2-4; 48:21; 49:18,28,33; 50:24
- in faith
- Gr. according to faith. not.
- but
- 27; Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:17; Job 19:25; John 8:56; 12:41; 1 Peter 1:10-12
- and were
- Romans 4:21; 8:24; 1 John 3:19; *Gr:
- confessed
- Genesis 23:4; 47:9; 1 Chronicles 29:14,15; Psalms 39:12; 119:19; 1 Peter 1:17; 2:11
Verse 14
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.- they seek
- 16; 13:14; Romans 8:23-25; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:1-7; Philippians 1:23
Verse 15
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.- mindful
- Genesis 11:31; 12:10; 24:6-8; 31:18; 32:9-11
Verse 16
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.- they desire
- 14; 12:22
- God is
- 2:11
- to be
- Genesis 17:7,8; Exodus 3:6,15; Isaiah 41:8-10; Jeremiah 31:1; Matthew 22:31,32; Mark 12:26; Luke 20:37; Acts 7:32
- for
- 10; 13:14; Matthew 25:34; Luke 12:32; Philippians 3:20
Verse 17
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,- faith
- Genesis 22:1-12; James 2:21-24
- when
- Deuteronomy 8:2; 2 Chronicles 32:31; Job 1:11,12; 2:3-6; Proverbs 17:3; Daniel 11:35; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:2,3; James 1:2-4; 5:11; 1 Peter 1:6,7; 4:12; Revelation 3:10
- received
- 7:6
- offered
- 2 Corinthians 8:12
- only
- Genesis 22:2,16; John 3:16
Verse 18
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:- Of
- or, To. That.
- Genesis 17:19; 21:12; Romans 9:7
Verse 19
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.- God
- Genesis 22:5; *Heb:; Matthew 9:28; Romans 4:17-21; Ephesians 3:20
- from the
- 11,12; 9:24; Genesis 22:4,13; Romans 5:14
Verse 20
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.- Genesis 27:27-40; 28:2,3
Verse 21
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.- faith
- Genesis 48:5-22
- and worshipped
- Genesis 47:31
Verse 22
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.- faith
- Genesis 50:24,25; Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32; Acts 7:16
- made mention of
- or, remembered.
Verse 23
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.- faith
- Exodus 2:2-10; Acts 7:20
- a proper child
- That is, a fine, beautiful, or fair child, as our translators render [ ()] in Ac 7:20; which was in their time the sense of proper, from the French propre.
- and they
- 13:6; Psalms 56:4; 118:6; Isaiah 8:12,13; 41:10,14; 51:7,12; Daniel 3:16-18; Daniel 6:10; Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:4,5
- the king's
- Exodus 1:16,22
Verse 24
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;- when
- Exodus 2:10; Acts 7:21-24
Verse 25
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;- Choosing
- 10:32; Job 36:21; Psalms 84:10; Matthew 5:10-12; 13:21; Acts 7:24,25; 20:23,24; Romans 5:3; 8:17,18,35-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-6; 2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:3-10; 3:11,12; James 1:20; 1 Peter 1:6,7; 4:12-16
- the people
- 4:9; Psalms 47:9; 1 Peter 2:10
- the pleasures
- Job 20:5; 21:11-13; Psalms 73:18-20; Isaiah 21:4; 47:8,9; Luke 12:19,20; Luke 16:25; James 5:5; Revelation 18:7
Verse 26
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.- the reproach
- 10:33; 13:13; Psalms 69:7,20; 89:50,51; Isaiah 51:7; Acts 5:41; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Peter 1:11; 4:14
- of Christ
- or, for Christ. greater.
- Psalms 37:16; Jeremiah 9:23,24; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Ephesians 1:18; 3:8; Revelation 2:9; 3:18
- for he had
- 6; 2:2; 10:35; Ruth 2:12; Proverbs 11:18; 23:18; Matthew 5:12; 6:1; 10:41; Luke 14:14
Verse 27
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.- he forsook
- Exodus 10:28,29; 11:8; 12:11,37-42; 13:17-21
- not fearing
- Exodus 2:14,15; 4:19; 14:10-13
- endured
- 6:15; 10:32; 12:3; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 4:17; 13:13; 1 Corinthians 13:7; James 5:11
- seeing
- 1,13; 12:2; Psalms 16:8; Acts 2:25; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16; 1 Peter 1:8
Verse 28
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.- he kept
- Exodus 12:3-14,21-30
- the sprinkling
- 9:19; 12:24; Exodus 12:7,13,23; 1 Peter 1:2
Verse 29
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.- Exodus 14:13-31; 15:1-21; Joshua 2:10; Nehemiah 9:11; Psalms 66:6; 78:13; 106:9-11; Psalms 114:1-5; 136:13-15; Isaiah 11:15,16; 51:9,10; 63:11-16; Habakkuk 3:8-10
Verse 30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.- Joshua 6:3-20; 2 Corinthians 10:4,5
Verse 31
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.- the harlot
- Joshua 2:1-22; 6:22-25; Matthew 1:1,5; James 2:25
- believed not
- or, were disobedient.
- 3:18; 1 Peter 2:8; 3:20
- she had
- Joshua 1:1; 2:4-24
Verse 32
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:- what shall
- Romans 3:5; 4:1; 6:1; 7:7
- the time
- John 21:25
- Gedeon
- Judges 6:1-8
- Gideon
- 1 Samuel 12:11
- Jerubbaal
- Barak.
- Judges 4:1-5
- Samson
- Judges 13:1-16
- Jephthae
- Judges 11:1-12
- Jephthah
- David.
- 1 Samuel 16:1,13; 17:1-18; Acts 2:29-31; 13:22-36
- Samuel
- 1 Samuel 1:20; 2:11,18; 3:1-12; 28:3-25; Psalms 99:6; Jeremiah 15:1; Acts 3:24; Acts 13:20
- the prophets
- Matthew 5:12; Luke 13:28; 16:31; Acts 10:43; James 5:10; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Peter 3:2
Verse 33
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,- through
- Joshua 6:1-13; 2 Samuel 5:4-25; 8:1-14; Psalms 18:32-34; 44:2-6; 144:1,2,10
- wrought
- 4-8,17
- obtained
- 6:12-15; 10:36; 2 Samuel 7:11-17; Galatians 3:16
- stopped
- Judges 14:5,6; 1 Samuel 17:33-36; Psalms 91:13; Daniel 6:20-23; 2 Timothy 4:17; 1 Peter 5:8
Verse 34
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.- Quenched
- Psalms 66:12; Isaiah 43:2; Daniel 3:19-28; 1 Peter 4:12
- escaped
- 1 Samuel 20:1; 2 Samuel 21:16,17; 1 Kings 19:3; 2 Kings 6:16-18,32; Job 5:20; Psalms 144:10; Jeremiah 26:24
- out of
- Judges 7:19-25; 8:4-10; 15:14-20; 16:19-30; 2 Kings 20:7-11; Job 42:10; Psalms 6:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9,10
- turned
- 1 Samuel 14:13-15; 17:51,52; 2 Samuel 8:1-18; 2 Chronicles 14:11-14; 16:1-9; 20:6-25; 2 Chronicles 32:20-22
Verse 35
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:- Women
- 1 Kings 17:22-24; 2 Kings 4:27-37; Luke 7:12-16; John 11:40-45; Acts 9:41
- tortured
- Acts 22:24,25,29
- not accepting
- Acts 4:19
- that they
- Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 14:14; 20:36; John 5:29; Acts 23:6; 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:54; Philippians 3:11
Verse 36
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:- mockings
- Judges 16:25; 2 Kings 2:23; 2 Chronicles 30:10; 36:16; Jeremiah 20:7; Matthew 20:19; Mark 10:34; Luke 18:32; 23:11,36
- and scourgings
- 1 Kings 22:24; Jeremiah 20:2; 37:15; Matthew 21:35; 23:34; 27:26; Acts 5:40; 16:22,23; 2 Corinthians 11:24,25
- bonds
- 10:34; Genesis 39:20; 1 Kings 22:27; 2 Chronicles 16:10; Psalms 105:17,18; Jeremiah 20:2; 29:26; Jeremiah 32:2,3,8; 36:6; 37:15-21; 38:6-13,28; 39:15; Lamentations 3:52-55; Acts 4:3; Acts 5:18; 8:3; 12:4-19; 16:24-40; 21:33; 24:27; 2 Corinthians 11:23; Ephesians 3:1; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:16; 2:9; Revelation 2:10
Verse 37
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;- stoned
- 1 Kings 21:10,13-15; 2 Chronicles 24:21; Matthew 21:35; 23:37; Luke 13:34; John 10:31-33; Acts 7:58,59; 14:19; 2 Corinthians 11:25
- were slain
- 1 Samuel 22:17-19; 1 Kings 18:4,13; 19:1,10,14; Jeremiah 2:30; 26:23; Lamentations 4:13,14; Matthew 23:35-37; Luke 11:51-54; Acts 7:52; 12:2,3
- in sheepskins
- 2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4; Revelation 11:3
- being destitute
- 12:1-3; Zechariah 13:9; Matthew 8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:9-13; 2 Corinthians 11:23-27; 12:10; James 5:10,11
Verse 38
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.- whom
- 1 Kings 14:12,13; 2 Kings 23:25-29; Isaiah 57:1
- wandered
- 1 Samuel 22:1; 23:15,19,23; 24:1-3; 26:1; 1 Kings 17:3; 18:4,13; 19:9; Psalms 142:1; *title; Psalms 142:2-7
Verse 39
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:- 2,13; Luke 10:23,24; 1 Peter 1:12
Verse 40
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.- provided
- or, foreseen. better.
- 7:19,22; 8:6; 9:23; 12:24
- they without
- 9:8-15; 10:11-14; Romans 3:25,26
- made
- 5:9; 12:23; Revelation 6:11; The apostle in the early part of the chapter having given us a general account of the grace of faith, proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in Old Testament times. The leading instance and example of faith recorded, is that of righteous Abel: one of the first saints and the first martyr for religion--one who lived by faith and died for it, and therefore a fit pattern for the Hebrews to imitate. It is observable that the Holy Spirit has not thought fit to say any thing here of the faith of our first parents; and yet the church of God has generally, by a pious charity, taken it for granted that God gave them repentance and faith in the promised seed; that he instructed them in the mystery of sacrificing, that they instructed their children in it, and that they found mercy with God, after they had ruined themselves and all their posterity. But God has left the matter still under some doubt, as a warning to all who have great talents given to them, and a great trust reposed in them, that they do not prove unfaithful, since God would not enrol our first parents among the number of believers in this blessed calendar.--Henry. Reciprocal: Isaiah 60:17 - brass; Jeremiah 33:14 - General; Ezekiel 36:11 - will do; Matthew 11:11 - greater; Matthew 13:17 - That many; Luke 7:28 - but; John 1:17 - grace; 2 Corinthians 1:20 - all; Galatians 3:17 - the covenant; Galatians 3:23 - the faith; Ephesians 1:10 - in the; Ephesians 3:5 - in other; Hebrews 9:9 - the time; Hebrews 9:15 - for; 1 Peter 1:10 - the grace; 1 Peter 1:12 - that not
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Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Torrey, R. A. "Commentary on Hebrews 11". "The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/tsk/hebrews-11.html.
Torrey, R. A. "Commentary on Hebrews 11". "The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge". https://www.studylight.org/
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, January 17th, 2021
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Second Sunday after Epiphany
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