Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. FAITH - in its widest sense: not restricted to faith in the Gospel. Not a definition of faith in its whole nature, but a description of its characteristics in relation to Paul's exhortation to perseverance (Hebrews... [ Continue Reading ]
For by it the elders obtained a good report. FOR - Faith is all this; for, etc. BY - Greek, 'in this,' as their element. THE ELDERS - not merely [hoi archaioi] the ancients, as though solely of the past; nay, they belong to one and the same blessed family as ourselves (Hebrews 11:39). "The el... [ Continue Reading ]
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. WE UNDERSTAND - we perceive with our spiritual intelligence the world's creation by God, though we see neither Him nor the act as described, Genesis... [ Continue Reading ]
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. MORE EXCELLENT SACRIFICE - because in faith. Now faith must have some revelation of God on which it fastens.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Faith was the ground of his pleasing God; his pleasing God was the ground of his translation. TRANSLATED (Genesis... [ Continue Reading ]
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, [ chooris (G5565)] - 'apart from faith:' if one be destitute of faith (cf. Romans 14:23). TO PLEASE. Translate, as Alford [ e... [ Continue Reading ]
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. WARNED OF GOD, [ chreematistheis (G5537)] (Hebrews 8:5) - 'admonished of God.' M... [ Continue Reading ]
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. From the antediluvian saints he passes to the patriarchs of Israel, to whom "the promises" belonged. CALLED - by God (). So 'Aleph... [ Continue Reading ]
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: SOJOURNED - as a 'stranger and pilgrim.' IN, [ eis (G1519) geen (G1093)] - he went into it, and sojourned there. AS IN A STRANGE COUNTRY -... [ Continue Reading ]
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. LOOKED FOR, [ exedecheto (G1551)] - 'he was expecting;' waiting for with eager expectation (Romans 8:19). A - Greek, 'the city,' etc. Compare Psalms 122:1. Worldly Enoch, son of the murderer Cain, was the first to... [ Continue Reading ]
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. ALSO SARA HERSELF - though the weaker vessel, and at first doubting, WAS DELIVERED OF A CHILD. So C. [But A Delta 'Aleph (')... [ Continue Reading ]
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. AS GOOD AS DEAD, [ nenekroomenou (G3499)] - 'deadened:' no longer having, as in youth, energetic powers. STARS ... SAND (Genesis 22:... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Characteristic excellences of the patriarch's faith. THESE ALL - beginning with "Abraham" (He... [ Continue Reading ]
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. FOR - Proof that "faith" (Hebrews 11:13) actuated them. DECLARE PLAINLY, [ emfanizousin (G1718)] - make it evident. SEEK, [ epizeetousin (G1934)] - 'seek after:' implying toward what their desires ever tend. A COUNTRY,... [ Continue Reading ]
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. As Abraham, had he desired to leave his pilgrim life in Canaan, and resume his former fixed habitation in Ur, among the worldly, had ample opportunities to have done so... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Proving that the old fathers did not 'look only for transitory promises' (Article VII, 'Book of Common Prayer'). NOW - as the case is. IS NOT A... [ Continue Reading ]
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, TRIED, [ peirazomenos (G3985)] - 'tempted,' as in Genesis 22:1. Put to the proof of his faith. Not that God 'tempts' to sin, but in the sense proves (James 1:13). OFFE... [ Continue Reading ]
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: OF WHOM - `He (Abraham, not Isaac) TO whom it was said' (Alford). But Hebrews 1:7 uses the same [ pros (G4314)] 'unto' for 'in respect to,' or "of," as the English version. This verse defines "only-begotten son," Hebrews 11:17. IN IS... [ Continue Reading ]
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Faith answered the objections which reason brought against God's command to offer Isaac, by suggesting that what God promised He both can and will perform, however impossible it seem (R... [ Continue Reading ]
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Jacob is put before Esau, as heir of the chief, namely, the spiritual, blessing. (EVEN) CONCERNING THINGS TO COME, [ kai (G2532)] - as if they were present: not only concerning things actually present.... [ Continue Reading ]
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. BOTH THE SONS - Greek, 'each of the sons' (; ; ). He could not distinguish Joseph's sons by sight, yet he did by faith, transposing his hands intentionally, so as to lay his r... [ Continue Reading ]
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. WHEN HE DIED - `when dying.' THE DEPARTING - `the exodus' (). Joseph's eminent position in Egypt did not make him regard it as his home: in faith he looked to God'... [ Continue Reading ]
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. PARENTS. So the Septuagint-namely, Amram and Jochebed (Numbers 26:59); but Exodus 2:2 mentions the mother alone. Doubtless Amram sanc... [ Continue Reading ]
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; So far from faith being opposed to Moses, he was an eminent example of it (Bengel). REFUSED - in believing... [ Continue Reading ]
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Balancing the best of the world with the worst of religion, he 'chose' the latter, with deliberate resolution, not hasty impulse. He was forty years old when the judgment is matured. FO... [ Continue Reading ]
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. THE REPROACH OF CHRIST - which, falling on the Church, Christ regards as His own. Israel typified Christ: Israel's sufferings were Christ's (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:5; C... [ Continue Reading ]
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. NOT FEARING THE WRATH OF THE KING. But in , "Moses feared ... and fled from the face of Pharaoh." He was afraid, and fled, when to have stayed would have been to tempt Providence, and to... [ Continue Reading ]
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. KEPT, [ pepoieeken (G4160)] - 'hath kept;' the Passover being, in Paul's day, still observed. His faith here was in the invisible God's promise that the destroying angel shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. THEY - Moses and Israel. RED SEA - named from Edom (meaning red), whose country adjoined it. WHICH ... ASSAYING TO DO, [ hees (G3739) peiran (G3984) labontes (G2983)] - 'of which (Red sea)... [ Continue Reading ]
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. Trumpets, though one were to sound for ten thousand years, cannot throw down walls; but faith can do all things (Chrysostom). SEVEN DAYS - whereas sieges often lasted for years.... [ Continue Reading ]
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Rahab showed her "faith" in her confession (Joshua 2:9; Joshua 2:11). THE HARLOT - her former life adds to the marvel of her repentance, faith, and preservation (Matthew 21:31). BEL... [ Continue Reading ]
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: THE TIME - suitable for an letter. He accumulates some out of many examples. GEDEON - put before Barak, not chronologically, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, SUBDUES KINGDOMS - as David did (, etc.): also Gedeon subdued Midian, (Judges 7:1.) WROUGHT RIGHTEOUSNESS - as Samuel did (; 1 Samuel 12:3; ; David, ). OBTAINED PROMISES - the prophets ... [ Continue Reading ]
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 FIRE (Daniel 3:27) Not merely 'the fire ' but 'the power of the fire;' the last miracles of QUENCHED THE VIO... [ Continue Reading ]
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 RAISED - the widow of Zarephath. The Shunammite, (2 Kings 4:1.) [So C. But 'Aleph (') A Delta f, read gunaikas (G1135) for g... [ Continue Reading ]
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: OTHERS - of a different class: confessors for the truth [ heteroi (G2087); but in Hebrews 11:35, alloi (G243)]. TRIAL - testing their faith. IMPRISONMENT - as Hanani (2 Chronicles 16:10), imprison... [ Continue Reading ]
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 - as Zechariah, son of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:20-14; Matthew 23:35). SAWN ASUNDER - as Isaiah was said to have be... [ Continue Reading ]
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY - So far from their being unworthy of living in the world, as their exile in desert, etc., might imply. The world, in shutting them out, shut out f... [ Continue Reading ]
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: HAVING OBTAINED A GOOD REPORT - `borne witness of.' Though they were so, yet they "received not the promise" - i:e., the consummation of "salvation" promised at Christ's coming again (; ): 'the eternal inheritan... [ Continue Reading ]
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. PROVIDED - with divine forethought from eternity (cf. Genesis 22:8; Genesis 22:14). SOME BETTER THING FOR US (Hebrews 7:19) - than they had here. They had not in this world, 'apart from us' [ chooris... [ Continue Reading ]