The Excellency of Faith continues Heb. 11:1–3
That the worlds were framed by the word of God.” “The celestial world, with its inhabitants, the angels; the starry and ethereal worlds, with all that is in them, the sun, moon, stars, and fowls of the air; the terrestrial world, with all upon it, man, beasts etc.; and the watery world, the sea, and all that is therein” (John Gill). These “worlds were made at the beginning of mundane time and have continued throughout all ages. “ ‘Olam’ denotes the world as to the subsistence of it, and as to its duration” (John Owen).
The “worlds,” or universe, were “framed,” that is, were adjusted and disposed into a wise and beautiful order, by “the word of God.” That expression is used in a threefold sense. First, there is the essential and personal Word, the eternal Son of God Jn. 1:1. Second, there is the written, ever-living Word, the Holy Scriptures Jn. 10:35. Third, there is the Word of Power or manifestation of the invincible will of God. It is the last-mentioned that is in view in Hebrews 11:3. The Greek for “word” is not “logos” (as in John 1:1), but “rhema” (as in Hebrews 1:3); “rhema” signifies a word spoken. The reference is to God’s imperial fiat. His effectual command, as throughout Gen. 1: “God said (the manifestation of His invincible will) let light be, and light was.” “For He spake, and it was done; He commanded and it stood fast” Ps. 33:9. An illustration of the Word of His Power (see Heb. 1:3) is found in Jn. 5:28, 29, Ps. 33:6, Jer. 10:11, Act. 14:15; 17:24
“So that things which are seen, were not made of things which do appear.” The practical force of this verse to us is: our “faith” does not rest upon what “appears” outwardly, but is satisfied with the bare Word of God. Since God created the universe out of nothing, how easily can He preserve and sustain us when there is not anything (to our view) in sight! He who can call worlds into existence by the Word of His Power, can command supplies for the neediest of His creatures. Pink Arthur W
The Faith of Abel. Heb. 11:4.
The 11th chapter of Hebrews has three divisions. The first, which comprises vv. 1 to 3, setting forth the excellency of faith. The second, which is covered by vv. 4 to 7, outlines the life of faith. The third, which begins at v. 8 and runs to the end of the chapter, the outline, and, as well, the achievements of faith.
- The first division we saw the excellency of faith proved by four facts. Faith gives a reality and substantiality unto those things which the Word of God warrants us to hope for (v. 1). Faith furnishes proof to the heart of those spiritual things which cannot be discovered by our natural senses (verse 1). Faith secured to the O. T. saints a good report (v. 2). Faith enables its favored possessor to understand that which is incomprehensible to mere reason, imparting a knowledge to which philosophers and scientists are strangers (v. 3).
- The second division of our chapter may be outlined thus. First, the beginning of the life of faith (v. 4). Second, the character of the life of faith, showing of what it consists of (v. 5). Third, a warning and encouragement are given (v. 6). Fourth, the end of the life of faith, or the goal to which it conducts (v. 7). That which the Holy Spirit now sets before us, is far more than a list of O. T. worthies, of the saints of bygone days. To those whom God grants a receptive heart and anointed eye, there is here deep and important doctrinal instruction, as well as most blessed practical teaching. The contents of Heb. 11 concern our eternal peace, and it behooves us to give them our most prayerful and diligent attention.
- “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (v. 4).
- First, it was “by faith” that Abel offered unto God his sacrifice. He is the first man, according to the sacred record, whoever did so. He had no established precedent to follow, no example to emulate, no outward encouragement to stimulate. Thus, his conduct was not suggested by popular custom, nor was his action regulated by “common sense.” Neither carnal reason nor personal inclinations could have moved Abel to present a bleeding lamb for God’s acceptance. How, then, is his strange procedure to be accounted for? Our text answers: it was “by faith” he acted, and not by fancy or by feelings. But what is signified by this expression? The one scripture which, unlocks for us the meaning of the “by faith” is Rom. 10:17. There we read, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” God speaks, and the heart receives and acts upon what He says. True, there are two kinds of “hearing,” just as there are two kinds of “faith.” There is an outward “hearing,” and there is an inward “hearing”: the one merely informs, the other influences; the one simply instructs the mind, the other moulds the heart and moves the will. So there is a twofold meaning to the term “The Word of God” namely, the Word as written, and the Word as operative, when God speaks in living power to the soul. Hence, there is a twofold “faith”: the one which is merely an intellectual assenting to what God has revealed, and that which is a vital and supernatural principle of action, which “worketh by love” Gal. 5:6.
