Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 11

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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.

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