Handling heroes in hebrews 11 the good book blog biola. The book of hebrews builds a case for the superiority of jesus christ and christianity. It is indeed a wonderful record of the triumphs of faith on the part of eminent servants of god in four. Study the bible online using commentary on hebrews 11 and more. In the case of christian faith, we have faith that god is real, even though we have never personally seen god. The approach is simple, yet the study leads to a deeper walk of faith. Biblical faith is frequently misunderstood in our culture, even by those who exercise it. Hebrews 11, popularly called the faith chapter, contains the recitation of the names and deeds of several men and women of faith from creation to the time of israels entering of the promised land. No better answer is given in perhaps all the bible than in the great eleventh chapter of the book of hebrews. While the whole bible resonates with faith, sometimes hebrews 11 is referred to as the faith hall of fame. The 11 th chapter is a moving account of faithful old testament saints and given such titles as, the saints hall of fame, the honor roll of old testament saints, and heroes of faith. To learn about faith, it makes sense to go to abraham. Or look at its spiraling beauty about the meaning of faith in hebrews 11 12. Hebrews 11 commentary ironsides notes on selected books.
It probes the heart of those seasoned in bible study and those new to the faith as well. Hebrews 11 new international version niv faith in action. See this transaction explained at large in my notes on genesis 4. Basically, god created the world and then made an agreement with the people living in it. Working preacher is a ministry brought to you by luther seminary. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of hebrews, and the following are five of the best. He is extolled in scripture as the father of all who believe rom. Webster defines nittygritty as what is essential and basic. This wonderful chapter is an example to us on how we can, and should, have faith in god as well. Its not something we work up through emotional hype. You see for yourself whether the meaning is really there. Introduction to hebrews 2 a series of bible studies prepared by dr andrew corbett, pastor of legana christian church, tasmania, australia this may be freely copied and distributed. The examples listed there are our road map to understanding true faith.
Now by this faith, thus exercised, in reference to an atonement, he, abel, though dead, yet speaketh. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. New international version 1 now the main point of what we are saying is this. Hebrews 11 is one of the great chapters of the bible. Chapter 11 of hebrews is one of the great chapters of faith in the bible. The story behind the sermon 9780664224288 by kenneth schenck. Intro to hebrews biblica the international bible society. It was a pretty sweet deal, but things werent working out so well. In the first 3 verses here paul expresses concern that these immature jewish believers still had not mastered the elementary principles of the faith. The text does not mention the name of its author, but was traditionally attributed to paul the apostle. He writes, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen 11. David guzik commentary on hebrews 11, where the author discusses a list of examples, which help the discouraged believer. Abraham and sarahs story is told in verses 812 and 1719.
Hebrews, the books of the bible nt books the bible app. The present volume containing sixtyfive sermons on hebrews 11. I do not have time to tell about gideon, barak, samson and jephthah, about david and samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised. Every one alive daily expresses faith in something.
By faith he was commended as righteous, when god spoke well. It lists many of the biblical heroes of faith, and it shows what living faith looks like and what it will produce. Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of god to you. His story began with gods command to leave his homeland hebrews 11. It lists many men and women who showed faith in god and his promise. Hebrews is one of the three new testament commentaries on a single old testament verse. He began this discussion in chapter 5 when in verse he refers to them as babes in the faith. Featuring informative sidebars nd glossary aids, this book will be of great help to those who study or preach from the book of hebrews.
Hebrews 11 1 now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Class seems to fly by quickly as the concepts in this study are discussed. Here a tapestry is unfolded, depicting great examples of faith from the record of old testament heroes. Hebrews chapter 11 discover the 66 books of the bible. Beautiful instrumental hymns about the love of jesus relaxing, soothing. But christ being come now that the messiah has come, a more perfect system is introduced by which the conscience may be made free from guilt. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith in jesus christ is our source of salvation because he is the author and perfecter of faith 12.
Faith in jesus christ is our source of salvation because he. Abraham is mentioned 10 times in the book of hebrews, and his example of faith is a major one in hebrews 11. Learn why it still speaks convincingly to christians today. Open with a short prayer, inviting god to teach us. Sermons on hebrews 11 and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. The bible gives no indication that he was following what was then popular among the children of adam and eve, nor that he was following common sense, human reason, or his feelings. Truth for life is the teaching ministry of alistair begg and is committed to teaching the bible with clarity and relevance so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will. Read hebrews 11 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Commentary on the book of hebrews by matthew henry new.
The apostle having described the tabernacle, and shown wherein it was defective in regard to the real wants of sinners, proceeds now to describe the. This shows how believers, being warned of god to flee from the wrath to come, are moved with fear, take refuge in christ, and become heirs of the righteousness of faith. Hebrews chapter 8 continues the writers explanation for why jesus, and the new covenant he brings, is superior to the old covenant of judaism. In it, the authormost likely the apostle paulpresents illustrations from the old testament to bear out his opening statement. Christians exhorted to follow these glorious examples. Old testament books of the bible index new testament books. An high priest of good things to come see hebrews 10. We have enlisted hundreds of friends biblical scholars, theologians, homileticians and pastors dedicated to the craft of biblical preaching to provide you timely, compelling and trustworthy content. I can understand why the socalled hall of faith in hebrews 11 includes. Hebrews is one of the most significant books in the new testament for understanding the relationship between the old and new covenants. 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. And when we express that faith in his word concerning the creation, we give others proof of our faith in the word heb. The book of hebrews boldly proclaims the superiority of jesus christ and christianity over other religions, including judaism. Contrary to pauls usual practice, the author of hebrews nowhere identifies himself in the letterexcept to indicate that he was a man see note on 11.
The author here presents us with the goal of the race. Chapter 11 is faiths hall of fame where all of the faithful individuals from the old testament are highlighted in this chapter. Considering how much the scriptures speak of faith, one is surprised that the subject of faith so little occupies the attention of the world at large, or even of the religious world. It encourages application to self while examining the great people of faith listed in hebrews 11. We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the lord, not by a mere human being. Hebrews 11 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. But only faith can prove that the bible is the word of. Let us fix our eyes on jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of god 12.
If it is impossible to please god without faith 11. No one can live a single day without exercising faith faith in the physical world. Hebrews 11 new living translation nlt great examples of faith. Having in the preceding chapter given many illustrious instances and examples of faith, he makes use of this cloud of witnesses, as he calls them, to engage the hebrews to drop their unbelief, and run with faith and patience the race set before them, hebrews 12. Certainly it does present an informative discussion of what constitutes genuine belief. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it. No one can live a single day without exercising faith faith. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Finding strength and hope from hebrews 11 richard d. Some one has called this eleventh chapter gods honor roll.
Because chapter 11 seems to stand out from the surrounding context some scholars have questioned whether the author of hebrews wrote the chapter himself or borrowed it from some other source. Through 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. Hebrews 11 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. Faith in the books of judges and samuel useful bible studies. What things help you have faith in god even though you havent ever seen him. Read hebrews 11 commentary using peoples new testament. Hebrews 11 shows that faith is so important because gods people are beset with weakness, poverty, and difficulty. So obedience to church leadership is especially important if the church has to discipline a sinning member. Recently i have been working on research for a commentary on the book of. Hebrews encouraged them as they pursued their faith in jesus christ, their. Faith is defined in chapter 11 as the author more and more precisely defines it, punctuated by numerous examples from the old testament. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christs superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus. The eleventh chapter of hebrews has often been called the biblical hall of faith.
Introduction to hebrews 4 hebrews 11 remain faithful to christ hebrews 11 faith heroes who persevered hebrews 12 encouragement to persevere hebrews 12 gods fatherhood and discipline hebrews 12 the heavenly jerusalem hebrews implications of perseverance. Contrary to pauls usual practice, the author of hebrews nowhere identifies himself in the letterexcept to. However, doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is reported by eusebius. What does the writer of hebrews say about faith and things we cannot see. The reader is thus encouraged to hold fast to their confession of faith so that they will inherit salvation. One may objectively prove the bible is the most unique book ever published and has impacted society more than any other book. Here the great theme of faith in action shines before the reader like a manyfaceted jewel. The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives.
But the true hero of this chapter is god who gives faith to his own, by which the smallest of men and women have done great things in his strength. Aug 29, 2010 working preacher is a ministry brought to you by luther seminary. Good examples either convert sinners or condemn them. Few chapters rival it in terms of influence and spiritual power. Hebrews 12 bible commentary faith in god, jesus christ. In prior chapters, the writer has explained how the promised one could not have been an angel, but had to be human. Apr 11, 2009 hebrews is one of the most significant books in the new testament for understanding the relationship between the old and new covenants. T he 11 th chapter of hebrews is known as the hall of faith in the bible.
Faith occurs 24 times in hebrews chapter 11, and the expression by faith, which first occurs in hebrews 11. May 01, 2000 the present volume containing sixtyfive sermons on hebrews 11. God rewards those who have faith in him to the end. As the bible records history, abel is the first human to offer a sacrifice to god. There is no disharmony between the teaching of hebrews and that of pauls letters, but the specific emphases and writing styles are markedly different. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. This verse opened the eyes of augustine, and helped him to become a mighty man of faith, and it is. The children quickly recognize that they can do as they please, without any penalty, because dad and mom dont agree.