Chapter Eleven
By Faith
11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Since salvation through Jesus Christ is only accessible through faith, it becomes an extremely important concept for all Christians to understand. First, a quick look at the words. All the Hebrew words that relate to faith, such as ‘emûnāh’,[1] referring to truth and faithfulness; ‘aman’,[2] to trust in, put faith in; and ‘āmēn’,[3] meaning truly, to endorse or to make it so (often transliterated as ‘amen’) have the basic root idea referring to something firm and certain. The Greek word ‘pistis’,[4] is also based on belief of the truth, something firm and unshakable. The idea of having faith must be rooted in the belief that something that is considered to be true. For example, having “faith in faith” is meaningless, it must be based on a premise that is both real and true.
Sadly, the definition of truth has become blurred by people believing in relativism, which promotes the philosophy that there is no way to determine if something is true or not. Whatever is considered to be true by someone is true to them but may not be true to someone else, as ‘relativists’ believe there is no objective truth in subjects such as religion. Some adherents even deny the existence of any absolute truth. Constantly doubting what is real and true is not only counterproductive, but it can also effectively prevent someone from accepting the truth about Jesus. Questioning the truth may be the oldest weapon in Satan’s arsenal, beginning with Eve in the garden, “Did God actually say…?” (See Genesis 3:1)[5] It may be an old ‘ploy’, but it still works. Even Jesus was asked by Pilate, “What is truth?” (Probably under his breath, see John 18:38) The answer should be straightforward. For example, if someone asks what color something is there should only be one answer or consider the answer to a mathematic equation. Something red can’t be blue at the same time, and two plus two will always equal four. Truth does exist and it is a fundamental element of life. Scripture not only teaches the truth; it often refers to itself as the truth (see Psalm 119:160; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18).
Here the author of Hebrews defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for. In the English language the word ‘hope’ is difficult to define as it carries both a feeling of expectation and a desire for something to happen, regardless if that something is possible, probable, or even real. The Greek words ‘elpízō’,[6] used here and ‘elpis’[7] (verse 30) in this chapter translate as hope or hoped, are also defined as a desire for something good, but with absolute expectation that it will indeed occur. The author then delineates that hope as being the conviction of things unseen. In other words, faith is the trust that something will definitely occur, even though there is no visual or otherwise verifiable evidence.
The author will explain faith by using examples of men and women from the Old Testament. He notes that these “people of old received their commendation.” The phrase “received their commendation,” is one Greek word ‘emartyrēthēsan’,[8] referring to a witness or to bear witness. The New King James renders the verse as, “For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” (NKJV) However, before he begins, the author reminds his readers that God has the ability to make something out of nothing, that even though there is no visual evidence of something, that doesn’t mean God is in any way limited.
11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
Going back to the first two children born after creation, the author notes that Abel offered God a better offering than his older brother and as a result (although not stated here) he was killed by Cain and even though he is long dead, he still speaks to us by example of his faith (see Genesis 4:1-15). The difference was in their hearts, Abel desired to serve God, Cain did not.
11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Enoch, one of two people in the Old Testament that never saw death (Elijah was the other one, see 2 Kings 2:11), as God removed him from the face of the earth prior to him dying.[9] The Old Testament states that he “walked with God” (see Genesis 5:22, 24), and if someone was allowed to be near God, he first must be able to believe God exists and that He rewards those that seek Him.
The author identifies one very important fact, that without faith it is impossible to please God. True he does mention that faith begins with believing there is a God, but then adds that they need to believe that He also rewards those that seek Him. This is not some form of carrot-dangling incentive program, it is to serve as a reminder that life is about serving God and not the other way around. Faith in God is basing everything in life on the foundation of God’s Word along with the firm belief that God always keeps His promises. For the Old Testament saints, that included having faith that there would someday be a time when the Messiah would come and provide salvation for them. Without trusting God there is no pleasing of God and no salvation (see Considerations below).
11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
In a less than God-fearing period of history, Noah heard God’s warning and believed that God would destroy the inhabitants of earth with a world-wide flood and needed to build an ark to save him and his family. In so doing (putting belief into action), Noah became an heir of righteousness, as he would be the progenitor of all people, but more importantly he would also be in the line of Jesus, the Messiah, the source of righteousness.
11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
Abraham heard and responded when God told him to leave town without knowing where he was going. In faith he went to a foreign land to live, even though the land was promised to him (and later to his son and to his grandson), as a result of their traveling he and his family only lived in tents. Abraham looked forward to a future city, including a city yet future for us today, one designed and built by God (referring to a heavenly Jerusalem, see Hebrews 11:16; 12:22; 13:14; Revelation 21:1-22:5).
11:11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Abraham’s wife Sarah was barren all her life and beyond the age to conceive a child, and then add the fact that Abraham himself was old and “good as dead,” it would have been impossible on their own to give birth to a child. But through faith in God, she was able to give birth to a son that ultimately provided more descendants than they could count.
11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
These patriarchs and matriarch all died before they were able to obtain all that was promised to them, but each were willing to greet them from afar. Understanding that if God had not fulfilled His promise in their lifetime, He would fulfill them in another lifetime. They recognized that they were indeed strangers and exiles (see Genesis 23:4; 47:9; 1 Chronicles 29:15; Psalm 39:12) on earth and if they considered themselves as strangers and exiles, then it is clear they were seeking a homeland. The author points out that if they were thinking about the homeland they had earlier left, then they could have returned there, but they didn’t. Instead, they desired a better country, one in heaven. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God and He has prepared for them a city (see Matthew 25:34; John 14:2-4; Revelation 21:10).
11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
The Bible records that God was testing Abraham when He told him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering (see Genesis 22:1). Since Abraham knew that God was faithful in keeping His promises, including when God told him, “through Isaac shall your offspring be named” (Genesis 21:12), he also knew that whatever was going to happen, God would keep His word. If he had killed Isaac (the first step in making a burnt offering) God would have to raise him from the dead. Abraham knew, without a doubt, that God could do that, as it turned out it was only a test, and an alternate was offered instead (see Genesis 22:1-19). The author says that figuratively speaking, he essentially was dead, and Abraham did receive him back from the dead.[10]
11:20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
Even though the circumstances leading to the blessings Isaac offered to Jacob and Esau were less-than honest, the blessings given were offered in faith based on Isaac’s prophetic insight of the future (see Genesis 27:1-45). Later when Jacob was dying, he blessed the two sons of Joseph, just like Isaac he was able to offer in faith blessings that were prophetic (see Genesis 48:8-22). Years later when Joseph was about to die, he knew that God was going to visit them in Egypt and bring them to the Promised Land, and by faith he gave the people of Israel instructions on how to handle his bones (see Genesis 50:24-25).
11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
Many years after Joseph died, a new king of Egypt came into power and saw the people of Israel as a potential threat to Egypt and wanted to reduce their numbers. After trying several unsuccessful methods to stop their growth, the Pharaoh ordered that all newborn males were to be thrown into the Nile River. By faith Moses’ parents were not afraid of the king’s ruling and hid him. Soon it became too difficult to hide him, so his mother placed him in a watertight basket and floated him down the river (see Exodus 2:2-3). The Pharaoh’s daughter retrieved him and adopted him as her own. Raised as royalty, Moses later chose to be identified as an Israelite instead of being a privileged royal Egyptian.
This brief synopsis of his early life does not mention when he fled Egypt, encountered God in the burning bush and then returned to Egypt to free his people. That is when by faith he again left Egypt along with the people of Israel after confronting the Pharaoh with the ten plagues (see Exodus chapters 4-12). By faith he had his people participate in the first Passover applying the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel of each of their homes so that the Destroyer of the firstborn would not kill their firstborn children (see Exodus chapter 12). Before the people of Israel were able to leave Egypt, the Pharaoh changed his mind and decided to pursue them. Seemingly trapped at water’s edge, God had Moses part the waters of the Red Sea and by faith they crossed over to the other side. When the Egyptian army attempted to follow, they were drowned as the water returned to normal (see Exodus chapter 14).
11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Many years later, after Moses had died, the people of Israel were led into Promised Land by Joshua. Shortly after crossing the Jordan River, Joshua led an unusual campaign against the city of Jericho. By faith the people marched around the city once for seven days except on the seventh day they marched around the city seven times followed by the priests blowing their trumpets, and God brought the walls down all around the city (see Joshua chapter six). Prior to their arrival to the city, Joshua had two men reconnoiter the city, they were aided and hidden by a prostitute named Rahab. By faith Rahab had no fear assisting the men and her life was spared in the conflict.
11:32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
The author is essentially saying, “Well you get the idea, Scripture has many examples of people with faith!” He briefly lists a few: Gideon who was called by God to do battle with the Midianites even though the odds were against him, by faith he was successful (see Judges 6:1-8:35); Deborah and Barak by faith defeat Sisera (see Judges 4:1-5:31); Samson was born a Nazarite and by faith defeated many Philistines (see Judges 13:1-16:31); Jephthah by faith defeated the Ammonites (see Judges 10:6-12:7); King David had many victories accomplished by faith, as he was considered a man after God’s own heart (see 1 Samuel 16:1-1 Kings 2:12); Samuel by faith encountered the Philistines and became a judge of Israel (see 1 Samuel 1:9-9:25) and then finally he mentions each of the prophets of God, as they all required faith in God to safely carry messages and to rely on Him to do as He said He would do. By faith these people conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received God’s promises, shut the mouths of lions (see Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 17:35; Daniel 6:22), quenched the flames of fire (see Daniel 3:25); escaped being harmed by the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in battle, causing foreign armies to run away frightened and women received back their dead (see 1 Kings 17:22; 2 Kings 4:35). Some were tortured, mocked, chained, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, or killed by the sword, understanding that they would rise again to a better life. Many lived dressed in animal skins and were destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. “They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.” (verse 38, NLT)
11:39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
All these people received recognition from God as being faithful to Him, yet none of them received all that God promised. For God has something better for both them, the Old Testament saints, and the New Testament saints, as they both are to receive this “something better” together, in His eternal kingdom. The promise of salvation is life after death.
Considerations
When Christians say they have faith, it is generally assumed that the person is referring to their faith in Jesus for their salvation. In a nutshell, when they die, they believe that Jesus will intervene for them and claim them as one of His own, thus routing their soul to heaven and not hell. But what do the Old Testament saints have faith in? They believed God, trusting Him to fulfill His promises. While each Old Testament saint had different experiences with God, they all believed that He would come through. Just as faith in Jesus requires the belief that there is a God, Christians believe they are indeed sinners and that they can trust God’s Word that offers salvation from the death and bondage of that sin through Jesus. The Old Testament saints also believe there is a God, recognize they are sinners, and believe that God will send someone to atone for their sins as promised in God’s Word. They not only trusted in God for whatever task that needed to be done or role they played; they had faith in God that He would provide the necessary salvation for them to enjoy eternal fellowship with God. They may not have known Jesus by name, but they certainly knew about His coming as God promised.
In reviewing the people and activities of the Old Testament saints listed in Hebrews chapter eleven, it is interesting to note that there is no mention of any of them doing wrong or sinning. Each one of those people, with the possible exception of Joseph, had some moments of doubt or disobedience. It is often noted that chapter eleven provides a “looking back” at the people from God’s perspective. We can see that God has forgiven them and as He promised when anyone is forgiven, that their sin will indeed be forgotten, “as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12, see also Isaiah 43:25; Micah 7:19). This should be reassuring in two ways, once forgiven, God completely forgets our sins (regardless of what we might think or have whispered in our ears from the evil one). And secondly, it is a reminder that God uses ordinary people, flaws and all, like us, to help others find salvation through Jesus.
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[1] Strong’s Hebrew 530.
[2] Strong’s Hebrew 540.
[3] Strong’s Hebrew 543.
[4] Strong’s Greek 4102.
[5] See also commentary under Genesis 3:1 and the Considerations under Genesis 3:7 regarding Satan.
[6] Strong’s Greek 1679.
[7] Strong’s Greek 1680.
[8] Strong’s Greek 3140.
[9] See Considerations under Genesis 5:28-32 regarding "A Model for the Future?"
[10] See the Considerations under Genesis 22:15-19.