Geneva Study Bible Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Now {1} faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(1) An excellent description of faith by the effects, because it represents things which are but yet in hope, and sets as it were before our eyes things that are invisible. For by it the elders obtained a good report. {2} For by it the {a} elders obtained a good report.
(2) He shows that the fathers ought to be accounted of by this virtue. (a) That is, those fathers from whom we came: and whose authority and example ought to move us very much. 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. {3} Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are {b} seen were not made of things which do appear.
(3) He shows the property of faith, by setting before us most cautious examples of those who from the beginning of the world excelled in the Church. (b) So that the world which we see, was not made from any matter that appeared or was before, but from nothing. 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. {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.
(4) Abel. By 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. {5} By faith Enoch was translated that he should not {c} see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
(5) Enoch. (c) That he should not die. 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. 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 {d} rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
(d) This reward is not referred to our merits, but to the free promise, as Paul teaches in Abraham the father of all the faithful, Ro 4:4. By 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. {6} By 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.
(6) Noah. By 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. {7} By 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.
(7) Abraham and Sarah. By 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: By 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:
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. For he looked for a city which hath {e} foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
(e) This foundation is contrasted with their tabernacle. Through 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. Through 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.
Therefore 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. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as {f} dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
(f) As unlikely to bear children, as if he had been dead. 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. These all died in {g} faith, not having received the {h} promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and {i} embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
(g) In faith, which they had while they lived, and followed, them even to their grave. (h) This is the figure metonymy, for the things promised. (i) For the patriarchs were given to profess their religion by building an altar and calling on the name of the Lord when they received the promises. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
But 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. But 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.
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, By faith Abraham, when he was {k} tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the {l} promises offered up his only begotten son,
(k) Tried by the Lord. (l) Although the promises of life were made in that only begotten son Isaac, yet he appointed him to die; and so against hope he believed in hope. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from {m} whence also he received him in {n} a figure.
(m) From which death. (n) For there was not the true and very death of Isaac, but as it were the death, by means of which he seemed also to have risen again. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. {8} By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
(8) Isaac. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. {9} By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
(9) Jacob. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. {10} By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
(10) Joseph. By 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. {11} By 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 {o} afraid of the king's commandment.
(11) Moses. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the {p} pleasures of sin for a season;
(p) Such pleasures as he could not enjoy, unless he provoked God's wrath against him. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. {12} By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
(12) The Red Sea. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. {13} By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
(13) Jericho. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. {14} By faith the {q} harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the {r} spies with peace.
(14) Rahab. (q) A notable example of God's goodness. (r) Courteously and friendly, so that not only did she not hurt them, but also kept them safe. 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: {15} 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:
(15) Gideon, Barak and other judges and prophets. Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained {s} promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
(s) The fruit of the promises. Quenched 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. Quenched 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.
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: {t} Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were {u} tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
(t) He seems to mean the story of that woman of Sarepta, whose son Elijah raised again from the dead, and the Shunammite, whose son Elisha restored to his mother. (u) He means that perfection which Antiochus wrought. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in {x} sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
(x) In vile and rough clothing, so were the saints brought to extreme poverty, and constrained to live like beasts in the wilderness. (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: {16} And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received {y} not the promise:
(16) An amplification taken from the circumstance of the time: their faith is so much the more to be marvelled at, by how much the promises of things to come were more dark, yet at length were indeed exhibited to us, so that their faith and ours is as one, as is also their consecration and ours. (y) But saw Christ afar off. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. God having provided some better thing for us, that they {z} without us should not be made perfect. (z) For their salvation depended on Christ, who was exhibited in our days. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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