Introductory remarks:
In this chapter we will see how God has dealt with men from the Garden of Eden to the present, that is, how men of faith have responded to God by their faith in Him. There is only one sin man cannot be forgiven for, and that is unbelief, that is, reject Jesus Christ as Savior. "Faith is believing what can't be seen [spiritually of course]. The history of Israel is full of examples, from Abel to the prophets, of people acting through faith. They rejected the riches of this world and endured affliction to seek the promises from God. God was pleased by their faith, which is the only way to please God. But they never saw the fulfillment because it waits for us" (A Survey of Hebrews By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: Faith vv. 1-40.
Faith
Verse 1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
LGT "Now faith is [the] assurance of [things] hoped for, [the] conviction of things not seen."
The literal Greek translation of this verse makes Paul's thought very clear. There is no article before faith, so Paul is not speaking of saving faith in particular; he is speaking of faith in general. The Word of God is the Book of Faith, and it can only be believed as the Holy Spirit interprets it to us. The Word of God must be believed to be accepted. There are many good books on Christian evidences that seek to prove that God's Word is real. I personally, because I am saved, and I do believe that God's Word is real, that I have the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. I believe assurance comes from daily Bible study, and conviction comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Verse 2, "For by it the elders obtained a good report."
LGT "For by this the elders were borne witness to."
The word "elders" can refer to the aged believers in the church, or the elders appointed to that office, or it refers to the O.T. saints. In this verse it refers to the O.T. saints.
Verse 3, "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
LGT "By faith we understand worlds to have been framed by the Word of God, so that the things seen have not being from [things] appearing."
We have Divine Revelation in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." We accept this Revelation by faith. McGee wrote:
"There are two explanations for the origin of this universe. One is speculation, and the other is revelation. By faith we accept revelation, and, my friend, by faith you will accept speculation. Speculation has many theories, and many of them have been abandoned. Right now the theory is evolution, but even evolution, I am told, is going out of style today. It is the best the unbeliever can hold on to, but it is mere speculation, and they have to have a whole lot of faith to go along with it! . . Don't tell me that evolution is scientific. It is not. If it were, then all the scientists would be in agreement - and they certainly are not in agreement. Today many outstanding scientists are beginning to let go of their worship of evolution. They see so many fallacies in it that they are moving away from it. You either believe God (that's revelation), or you believe speculation. Faith must be anchored in something."
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."
LGT "By faith Abel a more excellent sacrifice than Cain offered to God, by which he was borne witness to as being righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts, and through it, having died, yet speaks."
If you are at all familiar with the story of Cain and Able, you will remember that Abel was obedient in bringing a lamb to sacrifice it, for he was a keeper of the sheep. The lamb was significant in that it was looking forward to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who would offer Himself by shedding his blood for the sins of the world. Cain brought vegetables from his garden, for he was a tiller of the ground; disobeying the command to bring a lamb, which he could have gotten from his brother; instead, he brought the fruit of his own hands. Abel showed his faith by bringing a more excellent sacrifice of a lamb, while Cain showed his disbelief by bringing the sacrifice of his choice and not God's choice. The witness of God after Abel was slain by Cain was that his blood cried from the grave. This story is brought out in Genesis chapter 1-4.
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."
LGT "By faith Enoch was translated not to see death, and was not found because God translated him. For before his translation he was borne witness to have well pleased God."
This is all that is said about Enoch, that he pleased God. As we shall see in the next verse that it is impossible to please God without faith. Enoch walked with God by faith and he pleased God. God translated Enoch from this world to his heavenly home without experiencing death. The story of Enoch is in Genesis chapter five. Someday some of the church will be translated the same as Enoch, for they will not experience the time of Jacob's trouble, which is the great tribulation period. The only way the church is pleasing God today is because we have been imputed with the righteousness of Christ, and we have been sanctified forever by Him.
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."
LGT "But apart from faith [it is] impossible to please [Him]: for it is necessary [for] him who approaches God to believe that He is, and [that] for those who seek Him out, a rewarder He becomes."
The book of Hebrews is a book describing the Christian life. Salvation is by faith, and it is a free gift of God. God rewards those who live the Christian life according to Bible doctrine. Rewards are earned; salvation is free. We work for rewards, after we have received God's free gift of eternal life. When we approach our heavenly Father we should do so boldly, that is, as any son would approach his loving Christian father. We should go to the Father expecting Him to be pleased with us, not because we earned His love and respect, but that through Christ we are accepted as complete in Christ, and sons and daughters in His wonderful family.
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."
LGT "By faith Noah having been instructed concerning the things not yet seen, having been moved with fear, prepared an ark for [the] salvation of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness according to faith."
By faith Noah having been instructed concerning the things not yet seen: God told Noah to build an ark for He was about to bring rain down from heaven, which by the way, it had never rained before because the earth was watered by the dew, and He was going to destroy humanity by a great universal flood because "every imagination of man's heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5). God had warned Noah of the impending deluge some 120 years before it happened. It took great faith on Noah's part to continue building the ark because of all the ridicule he was getting. Having been moved with fear: the word fear in this context means that Noah moved with "proper caution and reverence for God" (Barnes). Prepared an ark for the salvation of his house: it was called an ark because it was shaped like a box similar to the Ark of the Covenant (Heb. 9:4). By which he condemned the world: by building the ark Noah condemned the world. "His faith was exhibited in building the ark on the mere strength of God's declaration, while as yet there were no signs of the flood. By his faith thus manifested he announced the condemnation of the world to destruction" (Vincent). And became heir of the righteousness according to faith: like Enoch, Noah walked with God, and he became a "preacher of Righteousness", warning the world of coming judgment. Because he believed God he had fellowship with God and was an heir to God's righteousness.
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 wither he went."
LGT "By faith Abraham being called to go out into the place which he was about to receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and went out, not knowing where he is going."
Genesis chapter twelve records this part of Abraham's life. God led Abraham out from Ur of the Chaldees through Haran, and finally to the land of Canaan where He promised Abraham, "Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him" (Gen. 12:7). Abraham showed his faith to God in his obedience, and he fellowshipped with God by faith in building an altar unto God. God called Abraham to a land he was completely unfamiliar with, and Abraham displayed his faith in the "substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1).
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:"
LGT "By faith he sojourned into the land of the promise, as [in] a strange [country] in tents having dwelt with Isaac and Jacob, the joint-heirs of the same promise:"
By faith he sojourned: Abraham was a foreigner in a land without the rights of citizenship. Into the land of the promise: there is an article before promise making it the particular land God had promised. As in a strange country: he was in a country not his own without a permanent dwelling. Having dwelt with Isaac and Jacob: these three patriarchs complete the entire sojourn in Canaan (Vincent). The joint heirs of the promise: Isaac and Jacob were joint-heirs of the promise perpetuating it. The Jews are now strangers in the land, but will someday occupy it again as God had promised.
Verse 10, "For he looked for a city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God."
LGT "For he was waiting for the city having a foundation, of which [the] artificer and constructor is God."
For he was waiting for the city having a foundation: Abraham was contented in wandering, for by faith, he was patiently waiting for the New Jerusalem. Of which the artificer and constructor is God: Abraham looked forward to his eternal possessions of which the present blessings he received, to him, were but a foreshadowing of things to come.
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."
LGT "By faith also Sarah herself received power for [the] conception of seed, and that beyond a seasonable age; since faithful she esteemed the One who promised."
God had blessed Sarah with a son even after she was past conception years. I believe God gave her the power to believe Him, because at first she laughed, and thought it impossible. Sarah tried to help God out and she botched things up good through her handmaid Hagar. You may read about the entire account in Genesis chapters 17 &18.
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."
LGT "Wherefore also from one were born, and that too of [one] having become dead, even as the stars of the heaven in multitude, and as the countless sand which [is] by the shore of the sea."
Wherefore also from one were born: the Jewish nation has its roots in Abraham. And that too of one having become dead: this is referring to the womb of Sarah being past childbearing age. Even as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the countless sand, which is by the shore of the sea: everything that the Jews are, such as the chosen people of God, is connected with the faith of Abraham and Sarah. Paul uses hyperbole in these two statements. The promise of God in Genesis is that the Jews would be a great nation with numberless generations.
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 earth."
LGT "All of these [ones] died according to faith, not having received the promises, but from afar having seen them, and having embraced [them], and having confessed that strangers and sojourners they are on earth."
All of these O.T. saints lived as sojourners in the land, never to occupy it. They lived as pilgrims by faith in the promises but never seeing these in person. We also are pilgrims in a strange land, waiting to occupy a new heaven and earth as God promises in His Word.
Verse 14, "For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country."
LGT "For the ones who say such things make evident that [their] own country they are seeking."
These patriarchs lived in such a way that they were always looking for a better country, for they did not consider this world as their home; they knew God had provided a better country for them in heaven.
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."
LGT "And if indeed they kept on remembering that from where they came out, they might have kept on having an opportunity to have returned."
The "if" in this verse is in the second class with the imperfect tense both in the condition and the conclusion; that is why it reads kept on remembering, and kept on having opportunity to have returned. I just got off the phone with a brother and we were speaking about this very thing, that is, not letting ourselves get bogged down with the details of life. If the patriarchs would have involved themselves with looking back at where they came from, they would have been bogged down with thoughts of returning to the old life.
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."
LGT "But now a better (country) they yearn after, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God: for He prepared for them a city."
The patriarchs did not desire to go back to the land they came from, but they yearned after a heavenly Jerusalem that God has prepared for them. God was not ashamed of them because of their faith in Him, and He was the true Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These saints lived, as they were pilgrims of this earth heading for their heavenly home; we can learn a good lesson here on not getting too involved in the details of this life and lusts thereof.
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."
LGT "By faith Abraham, being tried, has offered up Isaac, and he who accepted the promises was offering up [his] only begotten."
At the end of his life, Abraham by faith was willing to offer up his only son, Isaac. Because of his trust in the Father, Abraham responded with faith when God tested him, knowing that what God took away, He could also resurrect.
Verse 18, "Of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called."
LGT "As to whom it was said, In Isaac thy seed shall be called."
The promise God made with Abraham was that he would have a great posterity through his son Isaac, and certainly not Ishmael, the son of Hagar, Sarah's handmaid, or through the sons of Katurah.
Verse 19, "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."
LGT "Reckoning that even from among [the] dead God [was] able to raise, whence him also in a parable he received."
In Abraham's mind Isaac was raised from the dead because of his faith that even if he would have offered him up, God would bring him back. The offering of Isaac was pre-figured in the offering of the ram caught in the thicket.
Verse 20, "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come."
LGT "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things coming."
The blessing of things to come was that Israel would yet become a great nation. This blessing was perpetuated by faith only through Jacob.
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."
LGT "By faith Jacob dying blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped on the top of his staff."
This verse simply implies that Jacob was nearing death from old age when he blessed his grandsons, the sons of Joseph. You can read about this in Genesis 47:31 & 48:15-16.
Verse 22, "By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones."
LGT "By faith Joseph dying, made mention concerning the sons of Israel, and gave command concerning his bones."
"Joseph on his death-bed remembered the promise of God to give the land of Canaan to the seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 15:7), and also the prediction to Abraham that his descendants should pass four hundred years in bondage in a strange land, and should afterward be brought out thence (Gen. 15:13,14)" (Vincent).
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."
LGT "By faith Moses, having been born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the little child [was] goodly, and did not fear the mandate of the king."
This history is recorded in Exo. 2:2 and 1:22. Moses' parents displayed their faith in God at the very beginning of his life.
Verse 24, "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter."
LGT "By faith Moses, having become great, refused to be called son of Pharaoh's daughter."
Moses, having reached maturity, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter (Exo. 2:10-12). Moses was brought up the Pharaoh's palace and would have been the next Pharaoh, but chose to follow the path God had laid out for him.
Verse 25, "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
LGT "Rather having chosen to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to have [the] temporary pleasure of sin."
Moses chose rather to follow God's way with God's people, the Israelites, than to remain in the palace and live the effeminate life.
Verse 26, "Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward."
LGT "Having esteemed the reproach of the Christ greater than the treasures in Egypt: for he looked away unto the recompense."
This verse could mean either Moses suffered for the cause of the coming Messiah, or that he suffered like reproaches that Christ suffered. In either case he looked away unto the reward laid up for him in heaven, counting eternal rewards greater value than anything this world has to offer.
Verse 27, "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."
LGT "By faith he left Egypt, not having feared the indignation of the king: for as seeing the invisible [One], he persevered."
By faith he left Egypt: Moses left Egypt after he killed the Egyptian (Exo. 2:15). Not having feared the indignation of the king: Moses having left Egypt in order to lead his people was his primary goal. For as seeing the invisible One, he persevered: this was his courage; by faith he saw the Christ, and this gave him strength to persevere.
Verse 28, "Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them."
LGT "By faith he has kept the Passover and the pouring of the blood, lest the destroyer of the firstborn [ones] might touch them."
Moses was faithful in obeying the Holy Spirit's command to smear blood on the doorpost, and when the death angel passed through, the children would be safe. This is recorded in Exodus 12:21-30.
Verse 29, "By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
LGT "By faith they passed through Red Sea as through dry [land], of which the Egyptians having made trial were drunk down."
Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea, on dry ground, when the sea parted, by his faith; and the Egyptians seeing them flee, followed after them and the sea closed around them and drunk them down in one great swallow (Exo. 14:21-31).
Verse 30, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days."
LGT "By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days."
Moses was not allowed to enter the land of Canaan because of his disobedience, so Joshua led them in, and the Lord commanded them to march around the walls of the city of Jericho seven days, and on the seventh day, when the priests blew their trumpets, the walls fell (Josh. 6:12-21).
Verse 31, "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."
LGT "By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who disobeyed, having received the spies with peace."
Rahab the harlot resided in Jericho in her father's house. Rahab gave the spies lodging and helped them escape when they spied out the city. Rahab was a believer, so God spared her and all her family from the total destruction of the unbelieving city of Jericho (Josh. 6:21-25).
Verse 32, "And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Sampson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets."
LGT "And what more to say? For the time will fail me relating of Gedeon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthae, David also and Samuel and of the prophets:"
Paul says that he could go on and on about the men of faith in the O.T. He mentions these judges and one king, David. Time did not permit him to continue as he summarizes the rest under the prophets.
Verse 33, "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions."
LGT "Who through faith overcame kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped mouths of lions."
Paul generalizes the rest under the term prophets. We do, however, recognize one prophet, Daniel, who was thrown into the lion's den without being harmed, for God stopped their mouths.
Verse 34, "Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in flight, turned to flight armies of the aliens."
LGT "Quenched [the] power of fire, escaped mouths of [the] sword, were strengthened out of weakness, became mighty in war, made [the] armies of strangers to give way."
The O.T. prophets accomplished all these great feats through their faith in the coming Messiah.
Verse 35, "Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection."
LGT "Women received their dead by resurrection: and others were tortured, not having accepted redemption, in order that a better resurrection they might obtain:"
Women received their dead by resurrection: Paul is referring to the raising of the widow's son in 1 Kings 17:17ff. And also in 2 Kings 4:17-37. And others were tortured, not having accepted deliverance: some were tortured for their faith, not receiving deliverance for denying their faith. In order that a better resurrection they might obtain: this resurrection he is writing about is eternal, not like the women above, that is, resurrection of life to continue on this earth.
Verses 36-38, "And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 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; (of whom the world was not worthy): they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."
LGT "And others trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, were sawn asunder, were tempted, they died by slaughter of [the] sword, they wandered in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, being oppressed, being evil treated, of whom the world was not worthy, they wandered in deserts and in mountains and in caves, and in the holes of the earth."
These three verses describe the others, that is, those who were not noted in Scripture, but suffered patiently for the cause of Christ. There have been many that have been treated terribly by the world, and as the 38th verse begins, "of whom the world was not worthy", for they lived on a higher plane, and had eternal thoughts that dwarfed this world's dreams. These martyrs lived and died for the cause of Christ, and are now eternally in His presence.
Verse 39, "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise."
LGT "And these all, having been borne witness to through faith, did not receive the promise:"
These all are the ones from verse 5-38; they did not receive the Messianic promise, for it has not yet been fulfilled; this is the promise that Christ will come down to this earth and set up His earthly kingdom and reign for one thousand years. The Jews expected Him to fulfill that promise when He came the first time; and when He did not set up His kingdom they crucified Him, and this was the plan from the beginning, that He would come and save His people from their sins; He is coming again, and He will set up His promised Kingdom, and the Jews will eventually accept Him as their Savior.
Verse 40, "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
LGT "God having foreseen something better for us, in order that not apart from us they should be made perfect."
This better thing is the grace of God. We have been united together with Christ forming one body with Christ as our head. The O.T. saints together with us are made perfect by His grace. No believer, whether in O.T. times, or in this age of grace has an advantage one over the other. Salvation has always been by grace through faith in Christ, and now we are all one body in Christ.
The next chapter continues this thought.
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