Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11, part of the epistle to the Hebrews, written around AD 60–68, likely before the Jerusalem temple’s destruction, is often called the “Faith Chapter.” It defines faith and celebrates Old Testament heroes who lived by it, demonstrating trust in God’s promises despite unseen outcomes. The author encourages Jewish Christians facing persecution to persevere, showing faith’s enduring power to secure God’s approval.
Key Sections
Definition and Essence of Faith (11:1–3): Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen, earning commendation from God. By faith, we understand the universe was created by God’s word, making the visible from the invisible.
Examples of Faith (11:4–31):
Abel: Offered a better sacrifice, approved as righteous, still speaking through faith (11:4).

Enoch: Pleased God, taken without dying, as faith is essential to please Him (11:5–6).

Noah: Built the ark in reverence, warned of unseen floods, saving his family and condemning the world (11:7).

Abraham and Sarah: Obeyed God’s call to an unknown land, lived as strangers, and received Isaac by faith in God’s promise, despite old age (11:8–12).

Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph): Looked to a heavenly city, blessed future generations, and trusted God’s promises, like Joseph’s exodus prediction (11:13–22).

Moses: Chose Israel’s reproach over Egypt’s wealth, led the exodus, and kept the Passover by faith in God’s deliverance (11:23–28).

Israel and Rahab: Crossed the Red Sea, saw Jericho’s walls fall, and Rahab welcomed spies, spared by faith (11:29–31).
More Heroes and Suffering (11:32–38): Time fails to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and prophets who, by faith, conquered, escaped, and performed miracles, yet faced torture, imprisonment, and death, wandering destitute, not receiving the promise but commended for faith.
Faith’s Fulfillment (11:39–40): These heroes, though commended, didn’t receive the promise, as God planned something better, perfecting them with believers through Christ’s work.
Cross-References
Faith Defined: 
Romans 8:24–25: Hope unseen.

2 Corinthians 5:7: Walk by faith.

1 Peter 1:8–9: Believe without seeing.
Abel’s Sacrifice: 
Genesis 4:3–5: Better offering.

Matthew 23:35: Righteous blood.

1 John 3:12: Evil vs. righteous.
Enoch’s Pleasing God: 
Genesis 5:24: Walked with God.

Jude 1:14–15: Prophesied judgment.

John 8:56: Faith in promise.
Noah’s Ark: 
Genesis 6:13–22: Obeyed God.

1 Peter 3:20: Saved through water.

2 Peter 2:5: Preacher of righteousness.
Abraham’s Faith: 
Genesis 12:1–4: Left for Canaan.

Romans 4:18–21: Believed against hope.

Galatians 3:6–9: Father of faith.
Moses’ Choice: 
Exodus 2:10–15: Fled Egypt.

Acts 7:22–29: Chose affliction.

Exodus 12:21–28: Passover faith.
Heroes’ Suffering: 
Judges 6–16: Gideon, Samson, etc.

1 Samuel 17: David’s victories.

Daniel 6:22: Lions’ den.
Promise Fulfilled: 
Hebrews 10:14: Perfected by Christ.

Matthew 5:17: Fulfilled law.

Romans 15:8: Confirmed promises.
Theological Meaning
Faith’s Nature: Trust in God’s unseen promises sustains hope and obedience (11:1; Romans 10:17).

God’s Approval: Faith, not works, earns divine commendation, pleasing Him (11:6; Ephesians 2:8–9).

Endurance Through Trials: Heroes faced suffering yet trusted God, modeling perseverance (11:35–38; James 1:12).

Heavenly Hope: Believers seek an eternal city, not earthly gain (11:16; Philippians 3:20).

Christ’s Fulfillment: Old Testament faith points to Jesus, perfecting all believers (11:40; Hebrews 12:2).

Universal Call: Faith unites past and present saints, achievable by all (11:33; Galatians 3:7).
Questions and Answers
What is faith (11:1)?
Assurance of hoped-for promises and conviction of unseen realities (11:1; 2 Corinthians 4:18).

Why was Abel’s sacrifice better (11:4)?
Offered in faith, reflecting a righteous heart, unlike Cain’s (11:4; Genesis 4:4–5).

How did Enoch please God (11:5)?
By walking faithfully, taken without death as a reward (11:5; Genesis 5:24).

Why did Abraham leave his land (11:8)?
He trusted God’s call to an unseen inheritance (11:8; Genesis 12:1–4).

What didn’t heroes receive (11:39)?
The fulfilled promise of Christ’s salvation, completed later (11:39; Hebrews 9:15).

Why mention suffering (11:35–38)?
To show faith endures persecution, encouraging believers facing trials (11:35; 1 Peter 4:12–13).

How does this apply today?
Trust God’s promises, endure trials, and hope in Christ’s fulfillment (11:1; Romans 15:4).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written to Jewish Christians, possibly in Rome or Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:24), facing persecution and tempted to revert to Judaism (Hebrews 10:32–34). The temple’s operation (Hebrews 8:4–5) suggests a pre-AD 70 date. Old Testament examples (11:4–31) resonated with their Jewish heritage, reinforcing faith amid pressure.

Cultural Questions: “Cloud of witnesses” (12:1, cf. 11:39) evokes Greco-Roman heroic tales, relatable in urban centers (1 Corinthians 9:25). “Abel” (11:4) uses Jewish sacrificial language, vital to Hebrews’ audience (Leviticus 1:4). “Enoch” (11:5) draws on Jewish apocryphal traditions, known in synagogues (Jude 1:14). “Canaan” (11:9) recalls Jewish exile hopes, poignant for persecuted Hebrews (Genesis 15:7). “Jericho” (11:30) leverages Jewish conquest stories, inspiring trust (Joshua 6:20). “Tortured” (11:35) may hint at Maccabean martyrs, familiar to Hebrews (2 Maccabees 7).

Application: Hebrews 11 calls believers to live by faith, trusting God’s promises despite trials. It challenges doubt, fear, and worldly pursuits, urging perseverance in hope of Christ’s perfection in a suffering world (Romans 5:1–5; 1 Peter 1:6–9).