Hebrews 11: Summary, Key Verses and Study Questions

The author defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen; by it the people of old were commended and we understand that God created the universe by his word. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain; Enoch was taken up without seeing death; and without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever draws near to him must believe that he exists. By faith Noah, warned about things not yet seen, built an ark.

Much of the chapter is given to Abraham: by faith he obeyed the call to a place he did not know, lived in tents and looked forward to the city with foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Sarah received power to conceive because she considered him faithful who had promised. All these died in faith without receiving the promises, strangers and exiles who desired a better country, a heavenly one; so God is not ashamed to be called their God. Abraham, when tested, offered up Isaac, reasoning that God could raise him from the dead.

By faith Moses' parents hid him, and Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing to be mistreated with God's people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin; he considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth, for he looked to the reward. By faith they crossed the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho fell after seven days, and Rahab the prostitute did not perish with the disobedient.

The author lists Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who conquered kingdoms, shut the mouths of lions and quenched fire, and also others who were tortured, mocked, stoned and left wandering, of whom the world was not worthy. All of them, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Hebrews 11 teaches us to see faith as a way of walking, not just a feeling. In a small group you can think about which step of obedience God is asking that you have not yet taken, even though you cannot see the outcome, and remember that the heroes of the chapter were ordinary people with flaws who trusted God.

It also comforts. The chapter includes those who won and those who suffered without seeing victories. If something God promised has not yet come, faith still counts: the goal is the city he prepares, not only today's results.