v.1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
“substance” means a setting under (support), essence, assurance
“things hoped for” means to expect or confide
To hope, expect with desire (Luke 6:34, 23:8, Acts 26:7, Romans 15:24, 1 Cor. 16:7, Phil. 2:19 & 23, 1 Tim. 3:14, 2 John 12, 3 John 14)
“evidence” means proof, conviction, certain persuasion
For further study: Romans 8:24-25, 2 Cor. 4:18, 5:6-7
v.2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
“elders” means older, senior, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian “presbyter”
The elders of Christian churches, presbyters, to whom was committed the direction and government of individual churches.
For further study: Acts 11:30, 14:23, 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23, 16:4, 20:17, 21:18, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1
For a study on “elders”:
The New Believers in Antioch (Acts 11:19-30)
Returning to Antioch in Syria (Acts 14:21-28)
Is Circumcision Required? (Acts 15:1-21)
The Letter to Antioch (Acts 15:22-35)
Timothy Joins Paul (Acts 16:1-4)
Paul Meets With the Ephesian Elders (Acts 20:17-38)
Paul Arrives in Jerusalem (Acts 21:17-26)
More Instructions (1 Timothy 5)
Patience Exhorted (James 5:7-20)
Exhortations to Elders (1 Peter 5)
“obtained a good report” means to be a witness, testify
For further study: Acts 6:3, 10:22, 16:2, 22:12, 1 Timothy 5:10, 3 John 12
Seven Are Chosen (Acts 6:1-7)
The Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-43)
Paul’s Testimony of His Conversion (Acts 22:6-16)
Concerning Helping Others (3 John 5-12)
v.3 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.
“understand” means to exercise the mind (observe), to comprehend, heed
For further study: Matt. 15:17, 16:9, 11, John 12:40, Romans 1:20, Ephesians 3:4, 20, 1 Timothy 1:7
“worlds” means an age, perpetuity
“were framed” means to complete thoroughly, repair or adjust
v.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.
“righteous” means equitable in character or act, innocent, holy
Those whose hearts are right with God.
For further study: Matt. 13:43, 23:29, 25:46, Mark 6:20, Luke 14:14, Romans 2:13, 3:10
“gifts” means a present, a sacrifice, to give to God
For further study: Matt. 5:23-24, 8:4, 23:18-19, Heb. 5:1, 8:3-4, 9:9
v.5 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.
“was translated” means to transfer, transport, exchange
“pleased” means to gratify entirely
v.6 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.
“cometh” means to approach, come near, visit, or worship, assent to
To come to God, draw near unto Him in prayer, sacrifice, worship, devotion of heart and life (Hebrews 4:16 & 7:25)
“diligently seek him” means to search out, investigate, crave, demand, worship
v.7 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.
“moved with fear” means to be circumspect, to be apprehensive, to reverance
“saving” means deliverance from danger, slavery, or imprisonment
For further study: Luke 1:69, 71, Acts 7:25 and Phil. 1:19
“condemned” means to judge against, sentence.
To show by one’s good conduct that others are guilty of misconduct and deserve condemnation
For further study: Matt. 12:41-42, Luke 11:31-32
“heir” means partitioning, getting by apportionment, a sharer by lot, an inheritor, a possessor
For further study: Romans 4:13-14, 8:17, Galatians 3:29, 4:7, Titus 3:7, Hebrews 1:2, 6:17 and James 2:5
“righteousness” means equity of character or act, Christian justification
For further study: Romans 9:30, 10:6 and Philippians 3:9
v.8 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.
“inheritance” means heirship, a patrimony or possession
For further study: Acts 7:5
“obeyed” means to hear under, to listen attentively, to heed or conform to a command or authority
To obey God: Hebrews 5:9
v.9 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:
“sojourned” means to dwell near, reside as a foreigner
For further study: Luke 24:18
“tabernacles” means a tent or cloth hut
“heirs with him” means a co-heir, participant in common
For further study: Romans 8:17 and 1 Peter 3:7
“promise” means an announcement for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good
For further study: Acts 7:6, 17, Romans 4:16, 20, Hebrews 6:12, 15, 7:6
v.10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
“looked for” means to accept from source, to await, expect
For further study: John 5:3, 1 Cor. 16:11 and James 5:7
“builder” means an artisan, a founder
“maker” means a worker for the people, mechanic
v.11 Through faith also Sarah 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.
“was delivered of a child” means
For further study: Matthew 1:21, 23, 25, 2:2, Luke 1:31, 57, 2:6-7, 11, John 16:21, Galatians 4:27, Revelation 12:2, 4, 5, 13
“faithful” means trustworthy
Of God as faithful to His promises: 1 Cor. 1:9, 10:13, 2 Cor. 1:18, 1 Thess. 5:24, 2 Thess. 3:3, Heb. 10:23 and 1 John 1:9
“promised” means to announce upon, to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself
For further study: Gal. 3:19, Heb. 6:13, 10:23, Esther 4:7
v.13 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.
“confessed” means to assent, covenant, acknowledge
For further study: Matthew 7:23, John 9:22, 12:42, Acts 23:8 and Romans 10:9-10
“pilgrims” means an alien alongside, a resident foreigner
For further study: 1 Peter 1:1, 2:11
v.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
v.15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
v.16 But now they a 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.
v.17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
“was tried” means to test, endeavour, scrutinize, entice, discipline
For further study: 1 Cor. 10:13, Heb. 2:18 and Rev. 3:10
“received” means to entertain
“only begotten” means only born
For further study: Luke 7:12, 8:42, 9:38
v.18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
v.19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
“accounting” means to take an inventory, estimate
For further study: Mark 11:31, 2 Cor. 10:7 and Phil. 4:8
“figure” means a similitude, fictitious narrative of common life conveying a moral, apothegm or adage, comparison, parable, proverb
For further study: Hebrews 9:9
v.20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
“blessed” means to speak well of, to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
v.21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
v.22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
v.23 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.
“proper” means handsome
v.24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
v.25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
“suffer” means to maltreat in company with, endure persecution together
“pleasures” means sensual delight, desire
For further study: Luke 8:14 and Titus 3:3
“season” means for the occasion only, temporary
v.26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
“esteeming” means to lead, command with official authority, to deem, consider
“reproach” means to accuse of a fault; rebuke
For further study: 1 Timothy 3:7 and Hebrews 13:13
“riches” means wealth (as fulness), money, possessions, or abundance, richness, valuable bestowment
For further study: Matt. 13:22, Luke 8:14, Romans 2:4, 9:23, 11:12, 33, 2 Cor. 8:2, Eph. 1:7, 18, 2:7, 3:8, 16, Phil. 4:19, Col. 1:27, 2:2, 1 Tim. 6:17, James 5:2 and Revelation 5:12, 18:17
“treasures” means a deposit, wealth
For further study: Matthew 2:11, 6:19-20, Colossians 2:3
“respect” means to look away from everything else, intently regard
v.27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
“wrath” means passion (as if breathing hard)
For further study: Luke 4:28, Acts 19:28, Eph. 4:31, Col. 3:8 and Rev. 12:12
“endured” means to be strong, steadfast (patient)
v.28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
v.29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
“assaying” means a test, attempt, experience
v.30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
v.31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
v.32 And what shall I say more? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
“tell” means to relate fully
For further study: Mark 5:16, 9:9, Luke 8:39, 9:10, Acts 8:33, 9:27, 12:17
v.33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
“subdued” means to struggle against, to overcome
Dominions, realm, a people in a territory under kingly rule
For further study: Matt. 4:8, 12:25-26, 24:7, Mark 3:24, 6:23, 13:8, Luke 4:5, 11:17-18, 21:10, Rev. 11:15, 16:10, Gen. 10:10, Numbers 32:33, Joshua 11:10, Esther 2:3
“wrought” means to toil as a task or occupation, effect, be engaged in or with
To work the works of God:
For further study: Matt. 26:10, Mark 14:6, John 3:21, 6:28, 9:4, 1 Cor. 16:10, 3 John 5
“righteousness” means equity of character or act, Christian justification
Doing alike to all, justice, equity, impartiality; spoken of a judge
For further study: Acts 17:31 and Revelation 19:11
“promises” means an announcement for information, assent or pledge, especially a divine assurance of good
v.34 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.
v.35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
“dead” means buried (a corpse)
For further study: Luke 16:30, John 5:25, Acts 10:42, Romans 14:9 and 1 Thess. 4:16
“accepting” means to admit to intercourse, hospitality, credence or endurance, to await with confidence or patience
v.36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
v.37 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;
v.38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
v.39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
v.40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
“perfect” means to complete, accomplish, consummate in character