hebrews-11:1-6,-hebrews-11:2-niv

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him ,.... Or do things well pleasing in his sight; or any of the duties of religion, in an acceptable way; as prayer, praise, attendance on the word and ordinances, or any good works whatever; because such are without Christ, and without his Spirit; and have neither right principles, nor right ends: for this is not to be understood of the persons of God's elect, as considered in Christ; in whom they are well pleasing to him before faith; being... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:1

Faith is the substance of things hoped for - Εστι δε πιστις ελπιζομενων ὑποστασις· Faith is the Subsistence of things hoped for; πραγματων ελεγχος ου βλεπομενων· The Demonstration of things not seen. The word ὑποστασις , which we translate substance, signifies subsistence, that which becomes a foundation for another thing to stand on. And ελεγχος signifies such a conviction as is produced in the mind by the demonstration of a problem, after which demonstration no doubt can remain,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:2

For by it the elders obtained a good report - By the elders are meant ancestors, forefathers, such as the patriarchs and prophets, several of whom he afterwards particularly names, and produces some fact from the history of their lives. It is very remarkable that among the whole there is root one word concerning poor Adam and his wife, though both Abraham and Sarah are mentioned. There was no good report concerning them; not a word of their repentance, faith, or holiness. Alas! alas! did... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:3

Through faith we understand - By worlds, τους αιωνας , we are to understand the material fabric of the universe; for αιων can have no reference here to age or any measurement of time, for he speaks of the things which are Seen; not being made out of the things which do Appear; this therefore must refer to the material creation: and as the word is used in the plural number, it may comprehend, not only the earth and visible heavens, but the whole planetary system; the different worlds... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel offered - a more excellent sacrifice - Πλειονα θυσιαν· More sacrifice; as if he had said: Abel, by faith, made more than one offering; and hence it is said, God testified of his Gifts, τοις δωροις . The plain state of the case seems to have been this: Cain and Abel both brought offerings to the altar of God, probably the altar erected for the family worship. As Cain was a husbandman, he brought a mincha, or eucharistic offering, of the fruits of the ground, by which he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:5

By faith Enoch was translated - It is said, in Genesis 5:24 , that Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Here the apostle explains what God's taking him means, by saying that he was translated that he should not see death; from which we learn that he did not die, and that God took him to a state of blessedness without obliging him to pass through death. See his history explained at large in the above place, in Genesis 5:22-24 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:6

He that cometh to God - The man who professes that it is his duty to worship God, must, if he act rationally, do it on the conviction that there is such a Being infinite, eternal, unoriginated, and self-existent; the cause of all other being; on whom all being depends; and by whose energy, bounty, and providence, all other beings exist, live, and are supplied with the means of continued existence and life. He must believe, also, that he rewards them that diligently seek him; that he is not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:1

Verse 1 1.Now faith, etc. Whoever made this the beginning of the eleventh chapter, has unwisely disjointed the context; for the object of the Apostle was to prove what he had already said that there is need of patience. (200) He had quoted the testimony of Habakkuk, who says that the just lives by faith; he now shows what remained to be proved — that faith can be no more separated from patience than from itself. The order then of what he says is this, — “We shall not reach the goal of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:2

Verse 2 2.For by it the elders, (203) etc. He handles this subject to the end of the chapter — that the fathers obtained salvation and were accepted by God in no other way than by faith. The Jews indeed had some reasons for paying great deference to the fathers; but a foolish admiration of the fathers had so prevailed among them, that it proved a great hindrance to a thorough surrender of themselves to Christ and to his government. It was occasioned either by ambition or superstition, or by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:3

Verse 3 3.Through, or by, faith we understand, (205) etc. This is a most striking proof of the last verse; for we differ nothing from the brute creation, if we understand not that the world has been created by God. To what end have men been endued with understanding and reason, except that they might acknowledge their Creator? But it is by faith alone we know that it was God who created the world. No wonder then that faith shone forth in the fathers above all other virtues. But it may be here... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:3

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