Commentary on Hebrews

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the demonstration of things not seen:

2For by it the elders obtained a testimony.

3By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order by the Word of God, so that of things not visible they became visible.

4By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was righteous, God bearing a testimony to his gifts; and by it, he being dead, yet speaketh.

5By faith Enoch was translated, so as not to see death; nor was he found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had received a testimony that he pleased God.

6But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of those who seek him.

7By faith Noah, having been warned by God of things which did not as yet appear, being moved with fear, prepared an ark for the preservation of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed, so that he went out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9By faith he sojourned in the promised land, as though it was a foreign country, dwelling in tents together with Isaac and Jacob, co­heirs to the same promise;

10For he expected a city having foundations, whose master­builder and maker is God.

11By faith also Sarah herself received power to conceive seed; and beyond the time of age she brought forth, because she counted him faithful who had promised.

12Therefore there have been begotten even of one, and him indeed dead, thosein multitude as the stars of heaven, and as the numberless sand which is on the sea­shore.

13All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having afar off seen, and believed, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth:

14Verily they who say such things shew that they seek a country.

15And if indeed they had remembered that from which they had come out, they had time to return:

16But they now desire a better, even that which is heavenly: hence God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17By faith Abraham offered up Isaac, when he was tried; and he offered up the only­begotten after having received the promises,

18Respecting whom it had been said, “In Isaac shall thy seed be called;”

19Accounting that God was able to raise him even from the dead; whence also he received him in a type.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when dying,

21Blessed both the sons of Joseph, and worshipped on the head of his couch.

22By faith Joseph, when dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave an order respecting his bones.

23By faith Moses, when born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and feared not the decree of the king.

24By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,

25Choosing rather to suffer evils with the people of God than to have the temporary pleasures of sin;

26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked on the recompense of reward.

27By faith he left Egypt, having not feared the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28By faith he appointed the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, that he who destroyed the first­born should not touch them.

29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through a dry land; which when the Egyptians attempted, they were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been surrounded seven days.

31By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelieving, after having received the explorers in peace.

32And what more shall I say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak, of Samson and Jephthae; of David, and of Samuel, and the Prophets;

33Who by faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, closed the mouths of lions,

34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, became strong in weakness, were made valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of aliens:

35Women, by a resurrection, received their dead; and some were tortured, not having received deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection;

36And others experienced mockings and scourgings, and further, bonds and imprisonment:

37They were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the sword: they wandered in sheep­skins and goat­skins, being destitute, oppressed, ill­treated,

38(of whom the world was not worthy;) wandering in deserts, and on mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39And all these, having received a testimony by faith, did not obtain the promise:

40God having provided some better thing for us, that they might not without us be made perfect.