hebrews-11:1-2,-hebrews-11:20-niv

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1

Faith in its relation to the future and the unseen. I. FAITH IN ITS RELATION TO THE FUTURE . 1. Nothing is more to be desired than a hopeful outlook towards the future. The future may be regarded doubtfully, fearfully, or even despairingly; on the other hand the question rises if it be not possible to regard the future with a hope which shall become a duty. Doubtless there are many who do look hopefully forward, but they are hopeful simply because of a disposition... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-3

The nature and power of faith. In the close of the previous chapter, the apostle has spoken of faith as the principle of spiritual life, and the spring of patient endurance. He has quoted a great saying from Habakkuk, "The just shall live by faith;" and he now proceeds to vindicate its truth in a series of brilliant biographical illustrations. First of all, however, the apostle supplies a theoretic definition or description of saving faith. I. THE NATURE OF FAITH . (Verse 1)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:2

For in this ( i.e. faith, ἐν ταύτῃ ) the elders obtained a good report ; literally were witnessed of ; i.e. it was in respect of their faith, which inspired their deeds, that they were praised. (For a similar use of the preposition ἐν , cf. 1 Corinthians 11:22 , ἐπαινέσω ἐν , τούτῳ ). Thus is introduced the illustrative review of Old Testament instances, the purpose of which has been explained above. It begins from the beginning, Abel being the first example. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:2

The great characteristic of the elders. I. THE TERM BY WHICH THEY ARE INDICATED . The elders. Those spoken of are these who had lived the life of the flesh centuries before, but the term is not used merely to indicate this fact. We know from the subsequent illustrations that the men of long ago are meant; but there is a much more comprehensive meaning in their being spoken of as πρεσβύτεροι . πρεσβύτερος is a relative word, its correlative being νεώτερος (see 1... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for - On the general nature of faith, see the notes on Mark 16:16. The margin here is, “ground or confidence.” There is scarcely any verse of the New Testament more important than this, for it states what is the nature of all true faith, and is the only definition of it which is attempted in the Scriptures. Eternal life depends on the existence and exercise of faith Mark 16:16, and hence, the importance of an accurate understanding of its nature. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:2

For by it - That is, by that faith which gives reality to things hoped for, and a certain persuasion to the mind of the existence of those things which are not seen.The elders - The ancients; the Hebrew patriarchs and fathers.Obtained a good report - Literally, “were witnessed of;” that is, an honorable testimony was borne to them in consequence of their faith. The idea is, that their acting under the influence of faith, in the circumstances in which they were, was the ground of the honorable... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1. Knowing that the believing Hebrews had been, and still were exposed to persecution on account of the gospel, and fearing lest they should be thereby cast down, and moved from their steadfastness, the apostle had endeavoured to support them in their adherence to Christ and his cause by suggesting the declaration whereby the prophet Habakkuk had directed and encouraged the Jews on the approach of the Chaldean invasion, namely, the just shall live by faith. He now proceeds to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:2

Hebrews 11:2. By it the elders Our forefathers, or the pious of former ages; obtained a good report Εμαρτυρηθησαν , received testimony, of God’s approbation of them, or were borne witnesses to by God as persons accepted of him. The word is very comprehensive, implying that God gave a testimony, not only of them, but to them, and they received his testimony, as if it had been the things themselves, of which he testified, Hebrews 11:4-5; Hebrews 11:39. Hence they also gave testimony... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-22

Examples of true faith (11:1-22)In the previous chapter the writer asserted that people must join faith to perseverance if they are to enjoy the thing hoped for. He now supports this statement with illustrations from the Old Testament. If people have faith, it means they believe that things hoped for according to God’s promises will be achieved and that unseen powers of God are real. Those with faith look beyond what they see. They know that they cannot explain the existence of the world solely... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 11:1

faith . Greek. pi stis. App-150 . substance . Greek. hupostasis. See Hebrews 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 9:4 . Used of title-deeds in the Papyri. evidence = proof. Greek. elenchos. Only here and 2 Timothy 3:16 . Compare Romans 10:17 . seen . Greek. blepo . App-133 . obtained, &c . = were borne witness to. Greek. martureo . See p. 1511. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:2

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 11:1

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