Hebrews 11:1-13

IV. THE PROPER RESPONSE 11:1-12:13

"In chapter Hebrews 10:22-25 there were three exhortations, respectively to Faith, Hope and Love. These are elaborated in turn: chapter 11 dealing with Faith; chapter 12 with Hope; chapter 13 with Love." [Note: Thomas, p. 140.]

In this fourth major section of the epistle, the writer concentrated on motivating his readers to persevere in their faith with steadfast endurance. He continued the idea that he introduced in Hebrews 10:35-39. Some writers do not acknowledge this connection in the flow of the writer’s argument. They view chapter 11 as a revelation of what faith will inevitably do rather than what faith should do. [Note: E.g., John MacArthur, Faith Works, pp. 37-54.] Having introduced "faith" and "endurance" in Hebrews 10:39, the writer proceeded to develop these concepts further. He celebrated the character of faith in chapter 11 and then summoned the readers to endurance in Hebrews 12:1-13. The first of these sections is exposition and the second exhortation.

"The characteristic vocabulary of this section relates to the vital issue of enduring disciplinary sufferings. Anticipating the subsequent development in Hebrews 12:1-13, the writer underscored the community’s need for hypomone, ’endurance,’ in Hebrews 10:36. That note is resumed in Hebrews 12:1, when the commitment required of the Christian life is reviewed under the metaphor of an athletic contest, and the key to victory is found in ’endurance.’" [Note: Lane, Hebrews 9-13, p. 313.]

"The story of God’s people includes a succession of examples of persistent, forward-looking faith. The story is not complete without us. We, in our turn, must submit to God’s fatherly discipline and stand firm together in the faith." [Note: Ellingworth, p. 558.]