What does "commendation" in Hebrews 11:2 teach about God's approval of faith? The Heart of the Word “Commendation” • Hebrews 11:2 — “This is why the ancients were commended.” • Greek root: μαρτυρέω — “to bear witness, testify.” • Sense: God Himself gives testimony about a person’s faith, publicly affirming its reality and worth. What God’s Commendation Tells Us about Faith • Divine approval, not human applause – John 5:44 — seeking glory “from the one and only God.” • Faith that pleases God receives His witness – Hebrews 11:6 — “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” • Commendation is God’s declaration of righteousness – Romans 4:3 — “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” • Eternal, unchanging verdict – 1 Peter 1:7 — praise, glory, and honor “at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Snapshots of Commended Faith in Hebrews 11 • Abel (v. 4) — “by faith he was commended as righteous, God approving of his gifts.” • Enoch (v. 5) — “for before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” • Noah (v. 7) — became “heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” • Abraham (vv. 8-10) — lived as an heir of promise; God called him “friend” (James 2:23). • The pattern: each acted on God’s word, and God testified to them. The Two-Way Witness 1. Believers act in faith — their lives bear witness to unseen realities. 2. God responds — He bears witness to them, publicly affirming their faith. This mutual testimony echoes Jesus’ words: “Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). Living in Light of Divine Approval • Pursue the invisible — obey God’s word even when outcomes are unseen. • Value God’s verdict over cultural opinion. • Rest in Christ, whose perfect faithfulness secures our own commendation (Hebrews 12:2). • Anticipate the final “Well done” (Matthew 25:21), God’s ultimate commendation of faith. |
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