Hebrews 11

King James Version

Full text for Hebrews Chapter 11

1¶ Now 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.

4¶ 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.

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.

32¶ 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:

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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Hebrews chapter 11 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It then presents a comprehensive list of Old Testament figures, from Abel to the prophets, who demonstrated unwavering faith in God's promises and power. These individuals, through their belief, performed mighty acts, endured great suffering, and lived as pilgrims, looking forward to a heavenly country, though many died without receiving the ultimate promise in their lifetime. Their lives serve as a testament to the enduring power and necessity of faith in pleasing God.

Medium Summary

This chapter, often called the "Hall of Faith," begins by defining faith as the assurance of what is hoped for and the conviction of what is not seen. It immediately illustrates this principle by recounting the faithful acts of numerous Old Testament figures. Abel offered a superior sacrifice, Enoch was translated for pleasing God, and Noah built the ark in obedience to unseen warnings. Abraham, called to an unknown land, believed God's promise of a vast posterity and a heavenly city, even offering Isaac, believing God could raise him from the dead. Sarah, too, received strength to conceive by faith. Later, Moses' parents hid him by faith, and Moses himself chose suffering with God's people over Egyptian pleasures, enduring as if seeing the invisible God. The chapter further highlights the faith of Israel in crossing the Red Sea and the fall of Jericho, and the faith of Rahab. It concludes by listing many more heroes—Gideon, Barak, Samson, David, and the prophets—who, through faith, achieved great victories and endured severe persecutions, all while looking to a future, better country.

Long Summary

Hebrews chapter 11 opens with a profound definition of faith, describing it as the very substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, by which the ancients gained a good report. The author then embarks on an extensive historical survey, showcasing how faith has been the guiding principle for God's people throughout history. The narrative begins with creation itself, understood through faith, and then highlights Abel's more excellent sacrifice, Enoch's translation for pleasing God, and Noah's obedient construction of the ark in anticipation of unseen events. Abraham stands as a central figure, demonstrating faith by obeying God's call to an unknown land, sojourning in the land of promise, and looking for a city built by God. His faith was further exemplified when, at God's command, he offered Isaac, believing God capable of raising him from the dead, and Sarah, by faith, conceived a child in her old age. These patriarchs and their descendants, though they died without fully receiving the promised land or the ultimate spiritual blessings, lived as strangers and pilgrims, desiring a heavenly country. The chapter continues with Isaac blessing his sons, Jacob blessing Joseph's sons, and Joseph giving instructions concerning his bones, all by faith. Moses' life is presented as a powerful testament to faith: his parents hid him, he refused to be called Pharaoh's daughter's son, choosing affliction with God's people, and he forsook Egypt, enduring as one who saw the invisible God. The collective faith of Israel is seen in the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the fall of Jericho, alongside Rahab's individual faith. The author then briefly lists numerous other figures—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets—who, through faith, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, stopped lions, and endured fire and sword. Many suffered extreme persecution, including mockings, scourging, imprisonment, stoning, and death, wandering in destitution, yet they did so with the hope of a better resurrection. The chapter concludes by noting that all these, though commended for their faith, did not receive the ultimate promise, for God had provided a better thing for believers in the New Covenant, ensuring that they would not be made perfect without us.

Core Concepts

  • Definition of FaithFaith is presented as the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," forming the foundational principle for understanding God's actions and promises.
  • Creation by FaithThrough faith, believers understand that the universe was formed by God's word, meaning the visible world originated from things not apparent to human sight.
  • Obedience and TrustNumerous figures, such as Noah building the ark and Abraham leaving his homeland, demonstrated faith through their unwavering obedience to God's commands and trust in His unseen promises.
  • Pilgrimage and Heavenly HopeMany heroes of faith, including Abraham and his descendants, lived as strangers and pilgrims on earth, desiring a "better country," a heavenly city, rather than earthly possessions or a return to their origins.
  • Endurance Through SufferingThe chapter highlights that faith enabled individuals like Moses and the prophets to endure severe affliction, persecution, and even death, choosing God's recompense over worldly comfort or deliverance.
  • God's Promise and PerfectionWhile all these Old Testament figures obtained a good report through faith, they did not receive the ultimate promise in their lifetime, as God had a "better thing" in store for the New Covenant believers, ensuring their perfection would be intertwined.
  • Pleased GodA recurring theme is that "without faith it is impossible to please him," emphasizing that belief in God's existence and His nature as a rewarder is fundamental to a relationship with Him, as exemplified by Enoch.