Hebrews 11:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 11:4-31

The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old-Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes:?1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 11:4

11:4 It was by faith that Abel offered to God a fuller sacrifice than Cain and so gained the verdict of being a just man, for God himself witnessed to that fact on the grounds of the gifts he brought: and although he died because of his faith, he is still speaking to us. The writer to the Hebrews begins his honour roll of faith with the name of Abel whose story is in Genesis 4:1-15 . Cain tilled the ground and brought to God an offering of the fruits of the ground; Abel was a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain ,.... The apostle proceeds to examples of faith, and begins with Abel: it may seem strange that Adam and Eve are not mentioned; this omission is not because they were not believers; but either because of the fall and ruin of mankind by them; or because the apostle speaks only of such who had received some eminent testimony by faith, and therefore passes by many believers, and hastens to Abraham, the father of the Jews. The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel offered - a more excellent sacrifice - Πλειονα θυσιαν· More sacrifice; as if he had said: Abel, by faith, made more than one offering; and hence it is said, God testified of his Gifts, τοις δωροις . The plain state of the case seems to have been this: Cain and Abel both brought offerings to the altar of God, probably the altar erected for the family worship. As Cain was a husbandman, he brought a mincha, or eucharistic offering, of the fruits of the ground, by which he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:4

Verse 4 4.By faith Abel offered, etc. The Apostle’s object in this chapter is to show, that however excellent were the works of the saints, it was from faith they derived their value, their worthiness, and all their excellences; and hence follows what he has already intimated, that the fathers pleased God by faith alone. Now he commends faith here on two accounts, — it renders obedience to God, for it attempts and undertakes nothing, but what is according to the rule of God’s word, — and it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which ( i.e. faith, not sacrifice, "faith" being the ruling idea of the whole passage) he obtained witness (literally, was witnessed of ) that he was righteous, God testifying of (literally, witnessing upon, or, in respect to ) his gifts: and through it ( faith ) he being dead yet speaketh. In the traditions preserved in Genesis of the dim and distant antediluvian period, three... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:4

The sacrifice of Abel. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice," etc. The text brings before our notice three chief points. I. THE SUPERIORITY OF ABEL 'S SACRIFICE . "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain." This superiority was manifest: 1. In the sacrifice which was offered. In itself Abel's sacrifice was "more excellent" than that of Cain. In endeavoring to ascertain in what respect it was more excellent, it seems to us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:4

The faith of Abel. I. In his action there was NO RELATION MEASURABLE BY HUMAN REASON BETWEEN MEANS AND ENDS . Where something is done perceptible to the senses, and the result is also perceptible to the senses, then reason can see that there is a relation between means and ends. But here, while the something done is perceptible to the senses, the result is in no way perceptible to any natural faculty of man. To the pure rationalist, the killing of a beast in sacrifice... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:4-7

Faith of the antediluvian saints. The apostle, having gone to the first page of the Bible for the foundation-doctrine of faith, has only to turn the leaf to find his first historical illustrations. I. THE EXAMPLE OF ABEL . ( Hebrews 11:4 ) In what respect was Abets sacrifice "more excellent" than Cain's? 1. Some answer—Because its materials were more valuable, and also more carefully selected. Cain presented an oblation el vegetables, taking the first that came to hand;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel offered - see Genesis 4:4-5. In the account in Genesis of the offering made by Abel, there is no mention of “faith” - as is true also indeed of most of the instances referred to by the apostle. The account in Genesis is, simply, that Abel “brought of the firstlings of his flock, and the fat thereof, and that the Lord had respect to Abel and his offering.” Men have speculated much as to the reason why the offering of Abel was accepted, and that of Cain rejected; but such... read more

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