Page 85 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

"things not seen" The following examples are of people who live in
1. hope in the present and future acts of God
2. confidence in the spiritual promises of God (cf. 10:23).

Their worldview guides their daily decisions, not circumstances, materialism or self-centeredness.

Physical reality is subservient to the unseen spiritual reality (cf. v. 3). Physical reality is known by the five
senses, and is not eternal, but fleeting. True, eternal reality is unseen (cf. v. 27) and; therefore, must be
held by faith, not sight. However, it is so real and true to believers that it controls and demands their
priorities.

11:2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

NASB "gained approval"
NKJV "obtained a good testimony"
NRSV "received approval"
TEV "won God's approval"
NJB "are acknowledged"

This is similar to Paul's use of "faith" in Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11. Their lives of faith did not save them, but
evidenced God's Spirit in them (cf. James 2:14-26).

11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen
was not made out of things that are visible.

"the word of God" This is not the Greek term logos but rhēma which is used of the spoken word. This
then refers to creation by fiat, the spoken word (cf. Gen. 1:3,6,9,14,20,24; Ps. 33:6,9). From Heb. 1:2 we
know that the logos of God was the Father's agent of creation (cf. John 1:1,10; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16).

This faith affirmation becomes the worldview out of which believers live their earthly lives. This does not
reject scientific research, but puts it within a faith perspective. Believers allow science to discover the
mechanisms of the created order (natural revelation), but affirm ultimacy to God alone (see John L.
Walton, The Lost World of Genesis, Who is revealed in the Bible and supremely in Jesus Christ).

"so that what is seen is not made out of things which are visible" This is not primarily an affirmation of
creation ex nihilo (creation out of nothing), but an example of the reality versus unreality of v. 1.
Believers affirm what they have not personally seen or experienced based on the revelation of God. This
is not so much a creedal theology as a life of faith and hope.

11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was
commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though
he died, he still speaks.

"a better sacrifice" It was not the type of sacrifice which Cain and Abel offered which caused the
distinction, but the attitude (faith) in which it was given. This cannot be a proof-text to the superiority of
a blood sacrifice.

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