Hebrews 11:1-40 - Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary (2024)

FAQs

What is the main idea of Hebrews 11:1-40? ›

In such cases of apostasy, one will fail to obtain the promises of God. This warning is contrasted in Hebrews 11:1–40 where faith is described as a persevering hope in the promises of God. By way of demonstration, the author offers a sweeping look at the actions of God's people through redemptive history.

“Hebrews 11 tells us what it means to have faith and obtain life. Those with true faith accept God's word, focusing on assurance about what we do not see, looking beyond the situation as it can be perceived by natural vision. By exercising this kind of faith the ancients gained the warm commendation of God.

Here is the ESV comment on Hebrews 11:40: The perfection of believers is the goal, accomplished through the work of the perfect Son of God. The Old Testament saints, along with those of this era, will partake together of the same end-times perfection – sinless selves in deathless, resurrection bodies.

Hebrews 11 is often called the "Hall of Heroes." But the true hero of this chapter is God who gives faith to His own, by which the smallest of men and women have done great things in His strength. Hebrews 11 shows that faith is so important because God's people are beset with weakness, poverty, and difficulty.

Context Summary

In this passage, the writer demonstrates that godly faith is really ''trust. '' What we have seen of God's nature and character should lead us to trust Him, and trust naturally leads to obedience.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) immediately dives into what faith truly entails: a confidence in what is not seen, yet is known to be there. The first verses of this chapter offer a powerful reminder that, though we can't see God, we know He is there.

Invite a student to read Hebrews 11:13–16 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what we can learn from the examples of Abraham, Sarah, and others about exercising faith. Explain that “better country” (verse 16) refers to eternal life.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

This faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (11:1). Persevering faith is a firm confidence in God and all of His promises. It is a persuaded trust that God will be true to His Word. This faith is not something that we conjure up ourselves.

In Sacred Scripture, the number “40” signifies new life, new growth, transformation, a change from one great task to another great task, etc. For example: The rain of the Great Flood – the Great Deluge – lasted 40 days and nights.

How to have a broken heart and contrite spirit? ›

Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God's way instead. In such a condition of submissiveness, the Atonement can take effect and true repentance can occur.

NLT When you pray, don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. KJV But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

All of these faithful believers gained approval, but they have not yet gained the promise. Although many of the examples of faith above resulted in a great deliverance of some sort, God's promise of a full restoration of the earth and an end to death still remained to be fulfilled.

The premise of Hebrews 11 is that we are called to be like those who came before us. Not only in the way that they lived, but also in the way that they died. And Abraham and Sarah and Isaac and Jacob all died in faith, believing God, even though they never received fully what was promised to them.

While God's grace encourages sinners to turn to him for forgiveness, his chastisem*nt should also encourage us not to take sin lightly (Heb. 3:15; 12:5). David's example reminds us that forgiven sin still has consequences, but that bitter consequences don't mean we're not forgiven.

Throughout all the comparisons that make up the main body of the letter, the author has two main goals. First, he elevates Jesus as superior to anyone and anything else in order to show that he is worthy of total trust and devotion. Second, he challenges these believers to remain faithful to Jesus despite persecution.

This faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (11:1). Persevering faith is a firm confidence in God and all of His promises. It is a persuaded trust that God will be true to His Word. This faith is not something that we conjure up ourselves.

Throughout its pages, Hebrews makes clear that Jesus Christ exceeds all other people, pursuits, objects, or hopes to which human beings offer allegiance.