Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11:1

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

Now this faith, whereof we speak, and which we hold fast, is that, which gives us a present confidence in and a fruition of

Hebrews 11:2

For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Neither did our forefathers any other way find acceptation from the hands of God, than by their faith.

Hebrews 11:3

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.

Whereas, the wisest heathens have doubtfully disputed concerning the state of the world, whether it had any beginning and how it came to have a being, we, through faith, do clearly apprehend the truth of this matter, and do certainly understand that the world was framed by the all-powerful word of God, and that it was made of nothing; so as, of that which was not at all, nor had any pre-existence in nature, was made this visible frame of heaven and earth.

Hebrews 11:4

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.

It was only the faith of Abel, that made the difference betwixt his sacrifice and the sacrifice of Cain: whereupon God gave a sensible testimony of his accepting, first the person, and then the offering of Abel; and, by the virtue of that faith it was, that God regarded so the blood of Abel, as that, after he was dead, he heard the cry thereof, and took order for the revenge of it.

Hebrews 11:5

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him.

It was upon the faith of Enoch, that he was, in an extraordinary and supernatural manner, translated from earth to heaven; without passing through the gates of death, which is the common way of mankind, and was no more to be found upon earth, because God had miraculously translated him.

Hebrews 11:7

By the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By which example of his obedience and faith, he condemned the unbelief and obstinacy of the world; and shewed, by his preservation, that the world did justly perish, for not being warned by him; whose word, if they had obeyed, they had escaped that destruction.

Hebrews 11:10

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

He was content to dwell awhile in those moving tents, because his heart was set upon the expectation of a fixed and during city in heaven; the foundations whereof are eternal; whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:11

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed.

By faith, Sara herself, though at first she laughed distrustfully, recollecting herself, received strength to conceive.

Hebrews 11:12

Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars &c.

Therefore sprang there of one, even Abraham, who was, in respect of any likelihood of propagation, as good as dead, an innumerable issue.

Hebrews 11:13

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off.

These all died in faith, not having received the performance of those gracious promises, concerning the coming of the Messiah in the flesh, and the accomplishment of his Spiritual Kingdom; but having seen them afar off.

Hebrews 11:14

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

They, that do confess themselves to be strangers and pilgrims on earth, do therein plainly declare, that their thoughts and endeavours are bent upon their glorious home in heaven.

Hebrews 11:15

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

It was not in respect of Mesopotamia, whence they came, that they accounted themselves strangers; for, if they had had a mind thither, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

Hebrews 11:16

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

But, accounting themselves strangers, both in Chaldea and in Canaan, they raised up their hearts to the desire of a better country, that is, a heavenly: and God respected them accordingly: not disdaining to entitle himself particularly by their name, as stiling himself their God; having prepared for them that blessed city and country of heavenly glory, which they looked for.

Hebrews 11:19

From whence also he received him in a figure.

From whence also, in a sort, he received him; in that the sudden and unexpected eruption of Isaac from that his imminent and intended death, was, as it were, a figure and resemblance of his raising from the dead.

Hebrews 11:20

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

By faith, Isaac did so bless Jacob and Esau, concerning their future estate, as that he both knew and signified, that the elder should serve the younger; and gave a greater benediction to Jacob, than to his elder brother.

Hebrews 11:21

And worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

And, being now so weak with age, that he was not able to stand upright, he, leaning upon the top of his staff, worshipped God; and prayed for a blessing on Ephraim and Manasseh.

Hebrews 11:23

And they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

And feared not the danger of not fulfilling the edict of Pharaoh, concerning the drowning of the males.

Hebrews 11:26

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.

Esteeming that reproach (which he, together with God’s people, suffered, in and for the expectation of Christ, whom he foresaw to come,) greater riches, than all the treasures of Egypt.

Hebrews 11:27

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

By faith, he, having forsaken Egypt upon the slaughter of the Egyptian, returned to bring God’s message for the deliverance of his people; not fearing the wrath of king Pharaoh, but resolved to undergo all dangers; as setting before his eyes that powerful God, which is invisible, whom he knew to be both able and willing to rescue him.

Hebrews 11:28

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

Through faith, he kept that passover, which God ordained and appointed; and caused the posts and lintels of the Israelites’ doors to be sprinkled with blood, that the destroying angel, which slew the firstborn of the Egyptians, might not touch them.

Hebrews 11:33

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

Who, through faith, subdued kingdoms, as Joshua and David; wrought righteousness, carrying themselves justly in their government, as Samuel and David; obtained the promises made unto them by God, as Abraham of a son, Caleb and Joshua of the promised land, Gideon and Jepthah of victories; stopped the mouths of lions, as Samson and as Daniel;

Hebrews 11:34

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 the violence of the fire, not being so much as scorched therewith, as the three children; escaped the edge of the sword, as David the sword of Saul, Elijah of Jezebel; out of weakness were made strong, as Job and Hezekiah; became valiant in battle, as Joshua, Samson, Shamgar, and David; turned to flight the armies of aliens, as Samson, Jonathan, Jehoshaphat.

Hebrews 11:35

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

Women received their dead restored to life, as the Shunamite and the Sareptan; others were tortured and tormented for their religion, and would not accept of deliverance and ease, as Eleazar and the Maccabean brothers, that, dying for God’s cause, they might be partakers of a happy resurrection to eternal life.

Hebrews 11:37

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder.

They were stoned, as Zachariah, they were sawn asunder, as Isaiah.

Hebrews 11:39

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

All these, having received a good testimony and a gracious acceptation through their faith, yet received not that large measure of grace, which was promised and performed under the Gospel; neither did enjoy the presence of that (now exhibited) Saviour, in whom all the promises of God are Yea and Amen:

Hebrews 11:40

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

God having provided for us, in these latter times, better things, even the manifestation of Christ in the flesh, and abundance of grace and illumination; that they might not over-run us in spiritual privileges and perfection; and that their salvation and happiness might wholly depend upon that, which is exhibited and performed in our days.