Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This is what the ancients were commended for. New Living Translation Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. English Standard Version For by it the people of old received their commendation. Berean Standard Bible This is why the ancients were commended. Berean Literal Bible For in this the ancients were commended. King James Bible For by it the elders obtained a good report. New King James Version For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. New American Standard Bible For by it the people of old gained approval. NASB 1995 For by it the men of old gained approval. NASB 1977 For by it the men of old gained approval. Legacy Standard Bible For by it the men of old gained approval. Amplified Bible For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval. Christian Standard Bible For by this our ancestors were approved. Holman Christian Standard Bible For our ancestors won God’s approval by it. American Standard Version For therein the elders had witness borne to them. Contemporary English Version It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God. English Revised Version For therein the elders had witness borne to them. GOD'S WORD® Translation God accepted our ancestors because of their faith. Good News Translation It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval. International Standard Version By faith our ancestors won approval. Majority Standard Bible This is why the ancients were commended. NET Bible For by it the people of old received God's commendation. New Heart English Bible For by this, the people of old were attested. Webster's Bible Translation For by it the elders obtained a good report. Weymouth New Testament For by it the saints of old won God's approval. World English Bible For by this, the elders obtained approval. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor by this, the elders were well-attested. Berean Literal Bible For in this the ancients were commended. Young's Literal Translation for in this were the elders testified of; Smith's Literal Translation For by this were the elders testified of. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor by this the ancients obtained a testimony. Catholic Public Domain Version For this reason, the ancients were given testimony. New American Bible Because of it the ancients were well attested. New Revised Standard Version Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd in this way it became a testimonial of the elders. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And by this there was a testimony concerning the ancients. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentfor by this the ancients obtained a good reputation. Godbey New Testament For by it the elders receive the witness of the Spirit. Haweis New Testament for thereby the ancients obtained a testimony of approbation. Mace New Testament and it was for their faith that our fore-fathers acquired so great a reputation. Weymouth New Testament For by it the saints of old won God's approval. Worrell New Testament for in this the elders were well reported of. Worsley New Testament for by it the ancients obtained an honorable testimony. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Faith and Assurance1Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. 2 This is why the ancients were commended. 3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.… Cross References Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:38-39 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.” / But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. James 2:18-26 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. / You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. / O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless? ... Romans 4:1-3 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered? / If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. / For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:18-22 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ... Galatians 3:6-9 So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ... 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. Matthew 21:21-22 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. / If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Luke 18:8 I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 1 Peter 1:7-9 so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. / Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, / now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 John 5:4 because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Genesis 6:8-9 Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD. / This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God had taken him away. Treasury of Scripture For by it the elders obtained a good report. the elders. Hebrews 11:4-39 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… Jump to Previous Ancients Approval Borne Commended Divine Elders Fathers Gained God's Good Obtained Power Received Report Saints Testified Testimony Therein Witness WonJump to Next Ancients Approval Borne Commended Divine Elders Fathers Gained God's Good Obtained Power Received Report Saints Testified Testimony Therein Witness WonHebrews 11 1. What faith is.6. Without faith we cannot please God. 7. The examples of faithfulness in the fathers of old time. This is why The phrase "This is why" refers back to the preceding verse, which discusses faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It sets the stage for understanding that faith is the foundation for the commendation of the ancients. This concept of faith is central to the entire chapter, which is often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame." the ancients were commended Persons / Places / Events 1. The EldersRefers to the patriarchs and matriarchs of the faith, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and others mentioned in Hebrews 11. These individuals are commended for their faith and serve as examples for believers. 2. Faith The central theme of Hebrews 11, described as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. It is by faith that the elders received commendation from God. 3. Commendation The "good report" or testimony that the elders received from God due to their faith. This commendation is not just a human acknowledgment but a divine approval. Teaching Points Faith as the FoundationFaith is the foundation upon which believers build their relationship with God. It is through faith that we receive God's commendation, just as the elders did. Living by Faith The lives of the elders demonstrate that faith is not passive but active. Believers are called to live out their faith in tangible ways, trusting in God's promises even when they are not yet visible. Divine Approval True commendation comes from God, not from human accolades. Our focus should be on living a life that pleases God, seeking His approval above all else. Legacy of Faith The elders left a legacy of faith that continues to inspire believers today. We are encouraged to consider the impact of our faith on future generations.(2) For by it.--Better, For therein the elders had witness borne to them. The connection seems to be this: Faith truly accomplishes all this; for it was in the exercise of such a faith that the elders gained the witness which the Scripture bears (see Hebrews 11:4-5; Hebrews 11:39) to them and to their noble deeds. This verse, then, is added to confirm the first.Verse 2. - For in this (i.e. faith, ἐν ταύτῃ) the elders obtained a good report; literally were witnessed of; i.e. it was in respect of their faith, which inspired their deeds, that they were praised. (For a similar use of the preposition ἐν, cf. 1 Corinthians 11:22, ἐπαινέσω ἐν, τούτῳ). Thus is introduced the illustrative review of Old Testament instances, the purpose of which has been explained above. It begins from the beginning, Abel being the first example. But in the Old Testament the account of the creation precedes that first recorded instance; and, therefore, it is in the first place fittingly referred to, the existence of an unseen creative power mentally perceived beyond things visible, being the primary article - the very foundation - of all religious faith (cf. below, ver. 6). Parallel Commentaries ... Greek This is whyταύτῃ (tautē) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. ancients πρεσβύτεροι (presbyteroi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 4245: Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'. were commended. ἐμαρτυρήθησαν (emartyrēthēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3140: To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify. Links Hebrews 11:2 NIVHebrews 11:2 NLT Hebrews 11:2 ESV Hebrews 11:2 NASB Hebrews 11:2 KJV Hebrews 11:2 BibleApps.com Hebrews 11:2 Biblia Paralela Hebrews 11:2 Chinese Bible Hebrews 11:2 French Bible Hebrews 11:2 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Hebrews 11:2 For by this the elders obtained testimony (Heb. He. Hb) |
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