Hebrews 11:38

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 11:32-40

The apostle having given us a classis of many eminent believers, whose names are mentioned and the particular trials and actings of their faith recorded, now concludes his narrative with a more summary account of another set of believers, where the particular acts are not ascribed to particular persons by name, but left to be applied by those who are well acquainted with the sacred story; and, like a divine orator, he prefaces his part of the narrative with an elegant expostulation: What shall... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 11:35-40

11:35-40 Women received back their own folk as if they had been raised from the dead. Others were crucified because they refused to accept release, for they were eager to obtain a better resurrection. Others went through scoffing and scourging, yes, and chains and imprisonment. They were stoned; they were sawn asunder; they underwent every kind of trial; they died by the murder of the sword. They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, they were in want, they were oppressed, they were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:38

Of whom the world was not worthy ,.... These words are inserted in a parenthesis, to remove or prevent such objections as these; that they were restless and unquiet persons, that made disturbance in the world, and so unfit to live in it; and that they were deservedly punished for crimes they were guilty of; and to show the great worth and inestimable value of the people of God, which exceeds that of the whole world; and to intimate the removal of them out of the world, or from dwelling among... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:38

Of whom the world was not worthy - Yet they were obliged to wander by day in deserts and mountains, driven from the society of men, and often obliged to hide by night in dens and caves of the earth, to conceal themselves from the brutal rage of men. Perhaps he refers here principally to the case of Elijah, and the hundred prophets hidden in caves by Obadiah, and fed with bread and water. See 1 Kings 18:4 . David was often obliged thus to hide himself from Saul; 1 Samuel 24:3 , etc. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:38

Verse 38 38.Of whom the world was not worthy, etc. As the holy Prophets wandered as fugitives among wild beasts, they might have seemed unworthy of being sustained on the earth; for how was it that they could find no place among men? But the Apostle inverts this sentiment, and says that the world was not worthy of them; for wherever God’s servants come, they bring with them his blessing like the fragrance of a sweet odor. Thus the house of Potiphar was blessed for Joseph’s sake, (Genesis 39:5;)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:30-38

Exploits and endurances of faith. The last two specific examples here cited are connected with the entrance of Israel into Canaan under Joshua. 1. The fall of Jericho. (Verse 30) That stronghold was not reduced as the result of a long siege. It was not successfully assaulted with engines of war. The only means employed were processions, trumpets, and shouts. But the Israelites did not doubt that the word of Jehovah would be fulfilled; and, as the Divine reward of their faith, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:32-38

A summary of the sufferings and trials of believers. Note— I. HOW THIS WRITER SPEAKS FROM FULLNESS OF KNOWLEDGE . AS one might think, he has already been tolerably copious, but he hints that there is really much more to tell. He has looked through all the records of God's people, and he finds faith everywhere. Thus has been produced in his mind a strong conviction of what man can do when he believes in the right way. And might we not attain to a similar fullness of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:36-38

And others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 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 (rather, evil-entreated ); (of whom the world was not worthy:) wandering in deserts, and mountains, and dens, and the eaves of the earth. In this general review particular cases may again have suggested some of the expressions... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:38

The excellent of the earth. "Of whom the world was not worthy." The text teaches that the world could not bear comparison in respect to worth with the persons named and referred to in this chapter; their character was elevated far above that of the world in general. Let us look at our text— I. AS THE STATEMENT OF AN HISTORICAL FACT . In all ages there have been men "of whom the world was not worthy." Enoch, Noah, Job, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Samuel, et... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:38

Seeming unworthiness, real worthiness. I. THE APPEARANCE OF UNWORTHINESS . Men going about in sheepskins and goatskins, wandering in deserts and mountains, sheltering themselves in dens and caves, have had this judgment passed upon them, in effect if not in form, that they are not worthy of the world. They are banished from this world's social toleration, being held to trouble their fellow men concerning existing institutions and habits without sufficient reason. The world knows... read more

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