The Epistles · Chapter 11 of 13

Hebrews 11

The writer defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and unfolds a great roll call of Old Testament believers. By faith Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and many more obeyed, endured, and looked for a better country. Some conquered kingdoms; others were tortured and slain. All were commended for their faith, yet did not receive the promise, which God reserved for a better fulfillment shared with us.

What happens in Hebrews 11

The writer opens by defining faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, then shows it at work across Israel's history. The roll call unfolds figure by figure: Abel's better sacrifice, Enoch's translation without death, Noah's ark, Abraham's obedient journey to an unknown land and his willingness to offer Isaac, Sarah's strength to conceive, and the patriarchs' blessings. All these died in faith, having seen the promises from afar, confessing they were strangers and pilgrims seeking a heavenly country. By faith Moses refused Pharaoh's palace, chose to suffer with God's people, esteemed the reproach of Christ above Egypt's treasures, and led Israel through the Red Sea.

By faith Jericho's walls fell and Rahab was spared. Time fails to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who subdued kingdoms, stopped lions' mouths, and were made strong. Others were tortured, mocked, stoned, and slain, wandering destitute, of whom the world was not worthy. All were commended for faith, yet did not receive the promise, for God had provided something better for us.

Hebrews 11 in context

Hebrews was written to Jewish believers tempted to shrink back from Christ under pressure and persecution. The previous chapter urged them to live by faith and not draw back. Chapter 11 answers with evidence, a sweeping gallery of Old Testament saints who lived and died by faith, to encourage weary readers that they stand in a long, honored line.

It sets up chapter 12's call to run the race looking to Jesus.

Main themes of Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11 (KJV)

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3Through 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. 4By 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. 5By 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. 6But 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. 7By 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. 8By 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. 9By 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: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11Through 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. 12Therefore 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. 13These 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. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But 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. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23By 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. 24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32And 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: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34Quenched 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. 35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Verses to carry from Hebrews 11

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”Hebrews 11:1

“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.”Hebrews 11:6

“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.”Hebrews 11:13

Reflection

You are not the first to trust God without seeing the outcome. This chapter surrounds you with witnesses who obeyed, endured, and died still waiting, confident in promises they saw only from afar. Whatever you cannot yet see, let their example steady you. Faith is not certainty about circumstances but trust in the God who keeps his word.

A prayer from Hebrews 11