Hebrews 11:8-10 NIV

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 11:8-10

11:8-10 It was by faith that Abraham, when he was caned, showed his obedience by going out to a place which he was going to receive as an inheritance, and he went out not knowing where he was to go. It was by faith that he sojourned in the land that had been promised to him, as though it had been a foreign land, living in tents, in the same way as did Isaac and Jacob, who were his coheirs in the promise of it. For he was waiting for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:8

By faith, Abraham, when he was called ,.... The Alexandrian copy and the Vulgate Latin version read, "by faith he who was called Abraham"; but this call is not to be understood of his name; for though his first name Abram might be given him, in the faith of his being a great man, and his second name Abraham, when he himself was a believer; yet this change was made some years after the call referred to; which is that in Genesis 12:1 when he was called out of his own country, kindred, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:9

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise ,.... The land of Canaan, so called, because it was promised to Abraham and his seed; and is typical of heaven, which is not by the works of the law, but by the free promise and grace of God: here Abraham sojourned for a while, as in a strange country ; which was not his native place, and not his own, but another's; see Acts 7:5 and an idolatrous one; here he sojourned by faith, believing that as it was promised, it would be given to him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:10

For he looked for a city which hath foundations ,.... Not the city of Jerusalem, nor the Gospel church state; but either the city of the new Jerusalem, said to have twelve foundations, Revelation 21:14 and in which glorious state, Abraham, with the rest of the saints, being raised from the dead, will in person possess the promised land; or else the ultimate glory of the saints in heaven, where God dwells, and keeps his palace; and which will be the dwelling place of the saints, and will... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:8

Abraham, when he was called - See on Genesis 12:1-4 ; (note). Not knowing whither he went - Therefore his obedience was the fullest proof of his faith in God, and his faith was an implicit faith; he obeyed, and went out from his own country, having no prospect of any good or success but what his implicit faith led him to expect from God, as the rewarder of them that diligently seek him. In all the preceding cases, and in all that follow, the apostle keeps this maxim fully in view. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:9

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise - It is remarkable that Abraham did not acquire any right in Canaan, except that of a burying place; nor did he build any house in it; his faith showed him that it was only a type and pledge of a better country, and he kept that better country continually in view: he, with Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs of the same promise, were contented to dwell in tents, without any fixed habitation. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:10

For he looked for a city which hath foundations - He knew that earth could afford no permanent residence for an immortal mind, and he looked for that heavenly building of which God is the architect and owner; in a word, he lost sight of earth, that he might keep heaven in view. And all who are partakers of his faith possess the same spirit, walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing. Whose builder and maker is God - The word τεχνιτης signifies an architect, one who plans,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:8

Verse 8 8.By faith Abraham, etc. He comes now to Abraham, who is the chief father of God’s church on earth, and in whose name the Jews gloried, as though by the distinction of being the holy race of Abraham alone, they were removed from the common order of men. But he now reminds them of what they ought to possess as the main thing, that they might be counted among his children. He therefore calls their attention to faith, for Abraham himself had no excellency which did not proceed from faith. ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:9

Verse 9 9.By faith he sojourned, etc. The second particular is, that having entered into the land, he was hardly received as a stranger and a sojourner. Where was the inheritance which he had expected? It might have indeed occurred instantly to his mind, that he had been deceived by God. Still greater was the disappointment, which the Apostle does not mention, when shortly after a famine drove him from the country, when he was compelled to flee to the land of Gerar; but the Apostle considered... read more

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 11:8-10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:9

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