Hebrews 11
Expanded Bible
What Is Faith?
11 Faith means ·being sure [the assurance; or the tangible reality; or the sure foundation] of the things we hope for and ·knowing that something is real even if we do not see it [the conviction/assurance/evidence about things not seen]. 2 Faith is the reason ·we remember [or God commended/approved] ·great people who lived in the past [the people of old; the ancients; our spiritual ancestors].
3 It is by faith we understand that the ·whole world [universe; cosmos; ages] was made by God’s ·command [word; Gen. 1] so what we see was ·made by something that cannot be seen [L not made from/by visible things].
4 It was by faith that Abel offered God a ·better [more acceptable] sacrifice than Cain [Gen. 4:4–8]. God ·said he was pleased with [commended him for; bore testimony to] the gifts Abel offered and ·called Abel [commended him as; testified that he was] a ·good [righteous] man because of his faith. Abel died, but through his faith he is still speaking [12:24].
5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken to heaven so he would not ·die [experience/L see death]. He could not be found, because God had taken him away [Gen. 5:22–24]. Before he was taken, ·the Scripture says that he was [L he was commended as] a man who truly pleased God. 6 [L And] Without faith no one can please God. [L For; Because] Anyone who comes to God must believe that he ·is real [exists] and that he rewards those who ·truly want to find [earnestly/sincerely seek] him.
7 It was by faith that Noah heard God’s warnings about things he could not yet see [Gen. 6:13–22]. He ·obeyed God [responded with reverent fear] and built a ·large boat [T ark] to save his ·family [household]. By his faith, Noah ·showed that the world was wrong [L condemned/pronounced judgment against the world], and he became ·one of those who are made right with God [L an heir of the righteousness that comes] through faith.
8 It was by faith Abraham obeyed God’s call to go to another place ·God promised to give him [L he would later receive as an inheritance; Gen. 12:1–4, 7]. He left his own country, not knowing where he was ·to go [going]. 9 It was by faith that he lived like a ·foreigner [stranger; resident alien] in the ·country God promised to give him [Promised Land]. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who ·had received [were co-heirs of] that same promise from God. 10 [L For] Abraham was waiting for the city [C the heavenly Jerusalem, symbolic of the presence of God; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 21:2] that has real foundations—the city ·planned and built by [L whose architect/designer and builder is] God.
11 ·He was too old to have children, and Sarah [or Sarah was too old and] ·could not have children [was barren/sterile]. It was by faith that ·Abraham was made able to become a father, because he [or Sarah was made able to bear children, because she] ·trusted God [L considered God faithful/trustworthy] to do what he had promised[a] [Gen. 21:2]. 12 This man was so old he was ·almost [as good as] dead, but from ·him [L one man] ·came [L were fathered/T begotten] as many descendants as there are stars in the sky. Like the sand on the seashore, they could not be counted [Gen. 15:5; 22:17; 32:12].
13 All these great people died in faith. They did not ·get [receive] the things that God promised his people, but they saw them ·coming far in the future [L from afar] and ·were glad [welcomed/greeted them]. They ·said [acknowledged/recognized that] they were like ·strangers [foreigners] and ·visitors [sojourners; refugees; resident aliens] on earth. 14 When people say such things, they show they are looking for a ·country that will be their own [homeland]. 15 If they had been thinking about the country they had left, they ·could have gone back [L would have had an opportunity to return]. 16 But [as it is; L now] they were ·waiting [desiring; longing] for a better country—a heavenly one. So God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.
17 It was by faith that Abraham, when God tested him, offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice [Gen. 22:1–10]. ·God made the promises to Abraham, but Abraham [L The one who received the promises] was ready to offer his ·own [unique; one of a kind; John 3:16] son as a sacrifice. 18 God had said, “·The descendants I promised you will be from Isaac [Through Isaac your offspring/seed will carry on your name; Gen. 21:12].” 19 Abraham ·believed [considered; reasoned] that God ·could [had the power to] raise the dead, and ·really [in one sense; in a manner of speaking; figuratively speaking], it was as if Abraham ·got [received] Isaac back from death.
20 It was by faith that Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau ·in regard to their future [L concerning things to come; Gen. 27]. 21 It was by faith that Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each one of Joseph’s sons [Gen. 49]. Then he ·worshiped [or bowed in reverent worship] as he leaned on the top of his ·walking stick [staff; Gen. 47:31].
22 It was by faith that Joseph, while he was dying, spoke about ·the Israelites leaving Egypt [L the exodus of the children/sons of Israel] and ·gave instructions [commanded] about ·what to do with his body [L his bones; Gen. 50:24–25; Ex. 13:19].
23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born [Ex. 2:2–3]. [L …because] They saw that Moses was a ·beautiful baby [or special child], and they were not ·afraid to disobey [intimidated by; L afraid of] the king’s order.
24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of ·the king of Egypt’s [L Pharaoh’s] daughter [Ex. 2:10]. 25 He chose to ·suffer [be mistreated/oppressed] with God’s people instead of enjoying ·sin for a short time [L the temporary/fleeting pleasures of sin]. 26 He thought it was better to suffer ·for [the disgrace/stigma/ humilation of] ·Christ [or the Messiah/Anointed One] than to have all the treasures of Egypt, because ·he was looking for [or his eyes were fixed on] God’s reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left Egypt and was not afraid of the king’s anger [Ex. 10:28–29]. Moses ·continued strong [persevered; was resolute] as if he could see the ·God that no one can see [L one who is invisible; v. 13]. 28 It was by faith that Moses ·prepared [celebrated; kept] the Passover [Ex. 12] and ·spread the blood on the doors [L the sprinkling of blood; 10:22] so the ·one who brings death [destroyer] would not ·kill [L touch] the firstborn sons of Israel [Ex. 12:7, 13, 29–30].
29 It was by faith that the people crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land [Ex. 14:21–30]. But when the Egyptians tried it, they were ·drowned [destroyed; L swallowed].
30 It was by faith that the walls of Jericho fell after the people had ·marched around [encircled] them for seven days [Josh. 6].
31 It was by faith that Rahab, the prostitute, ·welcomed [L welcomed with peace] the spies and ·was not killed [did not perish] with ·those who refused to obey God [the disobedient; or the unbelievers; Josh. 2].
32 ·Do I need to give more examples [L What more shall I say]? I do not have time to tell you about Gideon [Judg. 6—8], Barak [Judg. 4], Samson [Judg. 13—16], Jephthah [Judg. 10:6—12:15], David [1 Sam. 16—1 Kin. 2], Samuel [1 Sam. 1—16], and the prophets. 33 Through their faith they defeated kingdoms. They ·did what was right [practiced righteousness; or administered justice], received ·God’s promises [or what God promised], and shut the mouths of lions [Dan. 6]. 34 They ·stopped [quenched; extinguished] great fires and ·were saved [escaped; fled] from being killed with swords. ·They were weak, and yet were made strong [Their strength was turned to weakness; or They recovered from illnesses]. They were powerful in battle and ·defeated [routed; drove back] ·other [foreign] armies. 35 Women received their dead relatives raised back to life [1 Kin. 17:22; 2 Kin. 4:35]. [But] Others were tortured and refused to accept ·their freedom [release; redemption] so they could ·be raised from the dead [gain/obtain a resurrection] to a better life. 36 Some were ·laughed at [mocked] and ·beaten [flogged; scourged]. Others were put in chains and thrown into prison [Gen. 39:20; Jer. 20:2; 37:15]. 37 They were stoned to death [1 Kin. 21:13], they were ·cut [sawn] in half [C Jewish tradition reported that Isaiah was martyred this way],[b] and they were killed with swords [1 Kin. 19:10; Jer. 26:23]. Some ·wore [L traveled about in] the skins of sheep and goats. They were ·poor [destitute], ·abused [persecuted; oppressed], and treated badly. 38 The world was not ·good enough for [worthy of] them! They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and holes in the earth.
39 All these people ·are known for [were commended for; or won approval through] their faith, but none of them received what God had promised. 40 God ·planned to give us [had provided] something better so that they would be made perfect, but ·only together with us [L not without us].
Footnotes
- Hebrews 11:11 It … promised. Some Greek copies refer to Sarah’s faith, rather than Abraham’s.
- Hebrews 11:37 they were cut in half Some Greek copies also include, “they were tested.”
Hebrews 11
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament
11 Now de faith pistis is eimi the assurance hypostasis of things hoped for elpizō, the conviction elenchos of things pragma not ou seen blepō. 2 For gar by en it houtos the ho men of the past presbyteros were approved martyreō by God.
3 By faith pistis we understand noeō that the ho universe aiōn was created katartizō by the word rhēma of God theos, so that eis what ho is seen blepō was ginomai not mē brought into being ginomai from ek anything observable phainō.
4 By faith pistis Abel Habel offered prospherō to ho God theos a more acceptable polys sacrifice thusia than para Cain Kain, through dia which hos faith he was attested martyreō as eimi righteous dikaios, God theos himself showing his approval martyreō by epi accepting · ho his autos gifts dōron. · ho And kai though he died apothnēskō, he laleō still eti speaks laleō through dia his autos faith.
5 By faith pistis Enoch Henōch was taken up metatithēmi so that ho he did not mē see death thanatos, and kai he could not ou be found heuriskō, because dioti God theos had taken metatithēmi him autos. · ho For gar before pro he ho was taken metathesis he had been approved martyreō as one who had been pleasing euaresteō to ho God theos, 6 and de without chōris faith pistis it is impossible adynatos to please euaresteō him, for gar the ho one who approaches proserchomai God theos must dei believe pisteuō · ho that hoti he exists eimi and kai that he rewards misthapodotēs those ho who seek ekzēteō him autos.
7 By faith pistis Noah Nōe, having been warned chrēmatizō by God concerning peri events ho as yet unseen mēdepō, took heed eulabeomai and built kataskeuazō an ark kibōtos for eis the safety sōtēria of ho his autos household oikos. By dia this hos act of faith he condemned katakrinō · ho humanity kosmos and kai became ginomai an heir klēronomos of the ho righteousness dikaiosynē that comes by kata faith pistis.
8 By faith pistis Abraham Abraam obeyed hypakouō when he was called kaleō to go out exerchomai to eis a place topos which hos he would mellō receive lambanō as eis an inheritance klēronomia. · kai He set out exerchomai even though he did not mē know epistamai where pou he was going erchomai. 9 By faith pistis he migrated paroikeō to eis the land gē · ho he had been promised epangelia, as hōs to a foreign allotrios land , living katoikeō in en tents skēnē as did meta Isaac Isaak and kai Jacob Iakōb, · ho heirs with synklēronomos him of the ho same autos promise epangelia, · ho 10 for gar he was looking forward to ekdechomai the ho city polis which ho has echō foundations themelios, whose hos designer technitēs and kai builder dēmiourgos is · ho God theos. 11 By faith pistis · kai Abraham was lambanō enabled dynamis to become lambanō a father katabolē—even though Sarah Sarra herself autos was sterile steira and kai beyond para the normal age kairos of childbearing hēlikia— because epei he regarded hēgeomai as faithful pistos the ho one who had made the promise epangellomai. 12 And kai so dio it was that from apo this one heis man , and he was already impotent nekroō, there were born gennaō · kai descendants houtos as many as kathōs the ho stars astron of ho heaven ouranos in ho number plēthos and kai as innumerable anarithmētos as hōs the ho grains of sand ammos · ho along para the ho shore cheilos of the ho sea thalassa · ho
13 These houtos all pas died apothnēskō in kata faith pistis, without mē receiving lambanō the ho fulfillment of the promises epangelia, but alla they saw them autos from a distance porrōthen and kai greeted aspazomai them. · kai They acknowledged homologeō that hoti they were eimi strangers xenos and kai exiles parepidēmos in epi the ho land gē. 14 For gar those ho who speak legō in such a way toioutos make it clear emphanizō that hoti they are seeking epizēteō a land of their own patris. 15 · kai If ei they had been referring to mnēmoneuō that ekeinos country from apo which hos they had set out ekbainō, they would an have had echō opportunity kairos to return anakamptō. 16 But de as it is nyn, they were longing for oregō a better kreittōn homeland, that houtos is eimi, a heavenly epouranios one . For this reason dio God theos is not ou ashamed epaischunomai · ho to be called epikaleō their autos God theos, for gar he has prepared hetoimazō a city polis to receive them autos.
17 By faith pistis Abraham Abraam, when he was being tested peirazō, offered up prospherō · ho Isaac Isaak; yes kai, he ho who had received anadechomai the ho promises epangelia was offering prospherō his ho only son monogenēs, 18 of pros whom hos he had been told laleō, “It is through en Isaac Isaak that descendants sperma will be named kaleō for you sy.” 19 He considered logizomai that hoti God theos was able dynatos to raise egeirō him up egeirō even kai from ek the dead nekros, · ho and kai, in en a sense parabolē, he did receive komizō him autos back from there hothen.
20 By faith pistis Isaac Isaak invoked blessings on eulogeō Jacob Iakōb and kai Esau ēsau, even kai regarding peri things to come mellō. · ho · ho
21 By faith pistis Jacob Iakōb, while dying apothnēskō, blessed eulogeō each hekastos of ho the sons hyios of Joseph Iōsēph, and kai bowed in worship proskyneō, leaning on epi the ho top akron of ho his autos staff rhabdos.
22 By faith pistis Joseph Iōsēph, at the end of his life teleutaō, spoke mnēmoneuō about peri the ho exodus exodos of the ho sons hyios of Israel Israēl and kai gave instructions entellō regarding peri the burial of ho his autos bones osteon.
23 By faith pistis Moses Mōysēs, when he was born gennaō, was hidden kryptō for three months trimēnos by hypo · ho his autos parents patēr, because dioti they saw that he was an extraordinary asteios · ho child paidion, and kai they were not ou afraid phobeomai of the ho king’ s basileus edict diatagma. · ho
24 By faith pistis Moses Mōysēs, when he was ginomai grown up megas, disdained arneomai to be called legō the son hyios of Pharaoh’ s Pharaō daughter thugatēr, 25 choosing haireō rather mallon to suffer hardship along with synkakoucheomai the ho people laos of ho God theos than ē to enjoy echō the transient proskairos pleasure apolausis of sin hamartia. 26 He considered hēgeomai abuse oneidismos for the sake of ho Christ Christos greater megas wealth ploutos than the ho treasures thēsauros of Egypt Aigyptos, · ho for gar he was looking ahead apoblepō to eis his ho reward misthapodosia. 27 By faith pistis he left kataleipō Egypt Aigyptos, not mē fearing phobeomai the ho anger thumos of the ho king basileus, for gar he endured kartereō as though hōs seeing horaō the ho one who is invisible aoratos. 28 By faith pistis he kept poieō the ho Passover pascha and kai the ho sprinkling proschysis of ho blood haima, so that hina the ho destroying angel olothreuō would thinganō not mē touch thinganō · ho their autos firstborn prōtotokos.
29 By faith pistis they crossed diabainō the ho Red erythros Sea thalassa as hōs if on dia dry xēros land gē; but when hos the ho Egyptians Aigyptios tried peira lambanō, they were drowned katapinō.
30 By faith pistis the ho walls teichos of Jericho Ierichō fell down piptō after they had been encircled kykloō for epi seven hepta days hēmera.
31 By faith pistis Rahab Rhaab the ho prostitute pornē did not ou perish synapollymi with the ho unbelievers apeitheō, because she had received dechomai the ho spies kataskopos with meta peace eirēnē.
32 And kai what tis more eti shall I say legō? For gar time chronos would fail epileipō me egō if I told diēgeomai · ho about peri Gideon Gedeōn, Barak Barak, Samson Sampsōn, Jephthah Iephthae, about both te David Dauid and kai Samuel Samouēl and kai the ho prophets prophētēs, 33 who hos through dia faith pistis conquered katagōnizomai kingdoms basileia, brought about ergazomai justice dikaiosynē, obtained epitynchanō what was promised epangelia; who shut phrassō the mouths stoma of lions leōn, 34 extinguished sbennymi raging dynamis flames pyr, escaped pheugō the edge stoma of the sword machaira; who after apo weakness astheneia were made strong dynamoō, who became ginomai mighty ischuros in en war polemos and put foreign allotrios armies parembolē to flight klinō. 35 Women gynē received lambanō their autos dead nekros by ek resurrection anastasis. · ho But de others allos were tortured tympanizō, after refusing ou to accept prosdechomai · ho release apolytrōsis, so that hina they might gain tynchanō a better kreittōn resurrection anastasis. 36 Others heteros · de experienced peira jeering empaigmos and kai flogging mastix, and de even eti chains desmos and kai prison phylakē. 37 They were stoned lithazō; they were sawn prizō in en two phonos; they were murdered apothnēskō by the sword machaira. They went about perierchomai in en sheepskins mēlōtē and goatskins aigeios derma, destitute hystereō, persecuted thlibō, mistreated kakoucheō 38 ( of whom hos the ho world kosmos was eimi not ou worthy axios). They wandered aimlessly planaō in epi deserts erēmia and kai on mountains oros, · kai living in caves spēlaion and kai · ho crevices opē in the ho ground gē, 39 and kai although they houtos all pas had received commendation martyreō for dia their ho faith pistis, they did not ou receive komizō what ho had been promised epangelia, 40 for · ho God theos had provided problepō something tis better kreittōn with peri us hēmeis in mind, so that hina they should teleioō not mē reach their goal teleioō apart from chōris us hēmeis.
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