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Hebrews

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Hebrews 11

Commentary · verses 1-40

This chapter is often referred to as containing the "Faith Hall of Fame." It started out perfectly by giving God's definition for faith.

1Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Commentary · verse 1

Doctrine: The definition of "faith" was "a belief in something you cannot see, either because it is invisible or it has not yet happened." Faith is proven in actions. The actions are the effects of faith. Faith is built by two causes: understanding and experience.

Doctrines on this passage

2For therein the elders had witness borne to them.

3By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear.

2For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3Through 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.

Commentary · verses 2-3

This was a reference to Genesis 1. In verse 3, "word" was rhema - "the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God without precedent." This would be invisible. Through faith we understand that the worlds (visible) were framed by the Word of God (invisible). God spoke the physical things into existence, and all the physical things that we see are actually made up of vibrations: invisible things.

4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.

4By 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.

Commentary · verse 4

This was a reference to Genesis 4. "Abel" - By faith offered God an excellent sacrifice.

5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God:

5By 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.

Commentary · verse 5

This was a reference to Genesis 5:22-24. "Enoch" - By faith did not see death but was translated: raptured.

6and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.

6But 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.

Commentary · verse 6

An Application of Faith: Without faith it is impossible to please God. WHY? Those who come to God must believe that God exists (belief in something that is not visible) and that He Rewards those who diligently seek Him (belief in something that has not yet happened). Paul confirmed the definition of faith with this application. Paul continued listing people who were examples of faith to us...

7By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

7By 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.

Commentary · verse 7

This referenced Genesis 6. "Noah" - By faith built an ark (actions) being warned of God of something that had not yet happened (the flood). Noah became heir of the Righteousness by his faith.

8By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

8By 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.

Commentary · verse 8

This referenced Genesis 12. "Abraham" - By faith obeyed God when he was called by God to go to the place of his inheritance. Abraham's actions proved he believed something he could not see that told him he would receive an inheritance he had not yet received.

9By faith he became a sojourner 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: 10for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised:

9By 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:

10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11Through 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.

Commentary · verses 9-11

This referenced Genesis 21. "Sarah" - By faith received strength to conceive the child of promise (Isaac) even though she was "past age."

12wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.

13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

12Therefore 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.

13These 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.

Commentary · verses 12-13

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah died without receiving their promises but only seeing them far off.

14For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.

15And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.

16But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16But 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.

Commentary · verses 14-16

All of these people were focused on a heavenly (spiritual) country, not the physical land they were from. Paul was focusing the Jewish Christians on heaven instead of the earthly Promised Land.

17By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Commentary · verses 17-19

This referenced Genesis 22. "Abraham" - By faith offered Isaac.

Experience: Abraham knew God would fulfill His promise.

Understanding: Abraham figured God would raise Isaac from the dead if Abraham sacrificed Isaac.

In Genesis 22 of this commentary, we saw that Abraham told the servant boy that he and his son (both of them) would return, which was further proof of Abraham's faith.

Doctrines on this passage

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

Commentary · verse 20

This referenced Genesis 27. "Isaac" - By faith blessed Jacob and Esau concerning events that had yet to happen.

21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Commentary · verse 21

This referenced Genesis 48. "Jacob" - By faith blessed the sons of Joseph and worshipped God when he was dying.

22By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

Commentary · verse 22

This referenced Genesis 50:24-25. "Joseph" - By faith spoke of the Exodus and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

23By 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.

Commentary · verse 23

This referenced Exodus 2. "Moses" - By faith, his parents hid him three months.

24By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Commentary · verses 24-25

This referenced Exodus 2. "Moses" - By faith refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter but chose suffering of affliction with God's people.

26accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward.

27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Commentary · verses 26-27

Moses had a revelation of Jesus, then by faith forsook Egypt without fear of the wrath of Pharaoh. Moses endured as seeing God who is invisible.

28By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.

28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Commentary · verse 28

This referenced Exodus 12. Moses - By faith Moses kept the Passover.

29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up.

29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Commentary · verse 29

This referenced Exodus 14. Israel - By faith Israel passed through the Red Sea.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

Commentary · verse 30

This referenced Joshua 6. Joshua - By faith the walls of Jericho fell after seven days.

31By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.

31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Commentary · verse 31

This referenced Joshua 2. "Rahab" - By faith she received the spies.

32And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets:

32And 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:

Commentary · verse 32

"Gideon" (Judges 6), "Barak" (Judges 4), "Samson" (Judges 13), "Jephthah" (Judges 11), "David" (1 Samuel 17), "Samuel" (1 Samuel 3), "and the prophets".

Commentary · verses 33-38

Verses 33-38: sufferings of the faithful. The references for these following actions that proved faith follow each verse respectively.

33who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Commentary · verse 33

34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens.

34Quenched 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.

Doctrines on this passage

35Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Commentary · verse 35

36and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

Commentary · verse 36

37they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated

37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

Commentary · verse 37

2 Chronicles 24:21, ("sawn asunder" had no reference), Genesis 39:1-17, 1 Samuel 22:18, 2 Kings 2:8,13.

38(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.

39And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise,

38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Commentary · verse 39

These also had not received the promise but still obtained a good report through faith.

40God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Commentary · verse 40

Theme of Chapter 11: Faith. The definition of faith was "a belief in something you cannot see, either because it is invisible or it has not yet happened." Faith is proven in actions. The actions are the effects of faith. Faith is built by two causes: understanding and experience. Paul gave numerous examples of people in the scriptures that demonstrated faith.

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