All those family members we remember are those who trusted and moved out in spite of their not being able to see outcomes or even always a clear path. I've always loved this prayer I learned as a young man: "O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord." The knowing "that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us" is the commendation the Holy Spirit gives us as we venture forth.
My mind goes to creation today... God making out of nothing. The unseen God is making an "unseen" thing in us, the substance, the reality, of our union with Him. I'm becoming more convinced that a huge part of faith is actually the faithfulness of God towards us.
Our spiritual ancestors lived and died, because they allowed God to work in their lives, in whatever weak way they could.
Okay, my mind just got blown... the word there is where we get witness or testimony or martyr. Their very LIVES are a testimony to WHO GOD IS and WHAT HE IS DOING. Their faith successfully pointed AND STILL POINTS us to the very one who created and sustains all things.
It's partnership! And if we understand faith as a recognition of an invisible source for every good thing (we'll get to that tomorrow)--then even faith comes from that source. It's this cycle of God giving and us actively receiving.
It makes more sense to me that v 1 is not a definition of faith but rather an explanation of how it works/what it does. It also aligns with the notion of faith being a gift, an idea that's been in the back of my mind the last couple of days. Not everyone has it. Years ago, while attending a wake for a Muslim friend's sister, a relative of the deceased (who was an atheist but nominally Muslim) told me that I was "lucky" to have faith. The comment took me by surprise at the time. I remember thinking, "well, if you think it's a good thing, then why don't you just believe in God, too?" But as I've thought more about it, I have come to understand what I think she meant: faith is a gift, not something you can muster out of nothing. It was like she was saying she WANTED to believe, but she couldn't.
That's a mystery isn't it--why some would be given the gift and others not? It's a mystery I'm happy to trust God with, but still something I wonder about. I'm mostly so grateful I have it, and eager to take care of it and keep it burning.
This may be an oversimplification, but since this is the book of Hebrews I interpreted “the ancients” to be those well-known figures in scripture and in Jewish history whose stories would have been repeated and passed down to each generation. They would have been “commended” in those retellings, and the writer of Hebrews seems to be continuing the “good reports” of some of these ancients who they would have talked about like Abel, Noah, Abraham, etc.
What came to mind when I was praying and considering what it might mean that “the people of old received their commendation" (ESV), was the verse a little further down in the passage "Now before he (Enoch) was taken he was commended (SAME WORD) as having pleased God" (parenthetical statements mine). So, it must be commendable to believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
This morning when I was reading and I saw the word Commendation. I looked up the definition and this is what it said from Bible Hub: Commendation in the biblical context refers to the act of entrusting, praising, or recommending someone or something, often in the sight of God or the Christian community. It is a significant theme throughout Scripture, reflecting both divine approval and human acknowledgment of faithfulness, virtue, or service.
I struggle with performing for God and the language around “approve, commend, given a good report” adds to my fear that a God with a clipboard is overseeing my fear and questions with judgement. This verse didn’t strike a chord with me the last couple days but today my back is up a little - such a testament to the benefit of hunkering down into scripture for a deep study!
I struggle with this, too, Carly. It’s interesting to me that in these examples in Heb 11, the thing that is being “commended” is mostly action…which means I think God is still (maybe even more?) pleased when I act in faith *in the midst of* my fear and questions. I’d really be up a creek if walking by faith required me to never be afraid or never doubt. Surely Abraham and Moses and Rahab and Noah doubted and were afraid, but they still did what God asked them to do, and He was so very proud of them with warm, fatherly joy. Maybe the whole approval thing is less like He’s giving us a report card, and more like He’s showing off our photo in His wallet to anyone who will listen. 🙂
I love this way of seeing it, Bethany. I think a lot of us who struggle with this have had experience not meeting some authority figure's expectations and it's left us kind of wrecked. But God is just SO capable of being more than one thing at once. He can offer unlimited love and grace to the sinner and at the same time commend the one who does what He asks. That's the kind of parent I'm trying to be. I commend my kids like crazy, because I love them. Not because they "finally" met my standard.
I truly believe that so many of my generation(or maybe it’s just me) have been “wrecked” because we just felt we could never do enough or be good enough to please God, but GRACE! Thank God for grace! Now, I’m working on the faith to believe and have faith that His grace reaches me…
Charles Spurgeon once said: "If I find faith in my heart I know someone must have planted it there." Hebrews 11 is faith’s family portrait gallery! We get to remember and give thanks for those who, by their faithfulness, have planted faith in our hearts. We notice the contours of their faith and wonder: what will "by faith" look like in my experience?
• Trust that builds a boat in the desert vv. 1-7
• Trust that longs for a better country vv. 8-22
• Trust that is prepared for disgrace vv.23-31
• Trust that looks forward to what’s promised vv. 32-40
This from Peter Leithart: "Godly courage, physical strength, athletic prowess, excellence, perseverance in trial, etc. all come from God, as the fruit of trust in Him.
"David’s (and Moses’ and Gideon’s and Samson’s and David’s mighty men’s) strength arises from weakness in precisely the same sense as Paul’s: They are strong in faith, by relying on a Helper (Heb 11). They become powerful because of their pedagogy in weakness, which is a training ground in trust."
Carly’s comment sums up my thoughts as well. My initial summary on the verse was “they acted on their faith and God approved them.” This contrasts with my thoughts on grace and the freedom to not have to earn my approval into heaven. Looking forward to understanding this better.
We do often jumble God's approval, salvation, and entrance into Heaven. Are they all one and the same thing? And by God's "approval" do we mean wholesale approval of their lives? Certainly not as some of the people on this list committed egregious sins.
What we can't avoid is the truth that God is pleased when we live by faith. He likes it. He wants other people to hear about it.
I think "received their commendation" refers to the positive effect their faith had on their lives. For example, Able offered his sacrifices through faith, and his commendation was God accepting that sacrifice. Because Abraham had faith, he received an inheritance (his commendation). I also think they are all being commended by being written about and remembered through all of history.
Right--they're heroes for the Jews AND they've had this chance to draw near to God. As we'll notice, sometimes the practical consequences of their faith were terrible--death, for instance. But what's death when you're on your way to be with God?!
Something that came to mind this afternoon - the connection of their commendation being written in the Bible, and the names of the faithful that will be written in the Book of Life that's talked about in Revelation.
“Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval.” Hebrews 11:1-2 AMP
What do I think of verse 1?
🦋As I was reading the word Confirmation stood out to me! What I took for that is that the Lord is always giving us His Confirmation! We just need to really stop and listen and be intentional to God’s voice when He is speaking to us!
🦋 What have I heard other people say it means? This is the first time I am doing a deep dive on Hebrews 11 and it has been amazing and it is only Day Three!
* fully let go, and fully surrender!
🦋Ask Yahweh, What else it might mean? The word commendation in verse 1 in the ESV stood out to me! Continue to just fully trust GOD! We may not see certain things happening right away, but Abba Father has been working them out for His Glory, and God’s glory is what we need to stand out the most in our lives!!!
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.” Hebrews 11:1-2 MSG
(The Message version is one of my favorite versions)
🦋As I was reading the part that says from JL. This section: “But then I read other more literal translations”… as soon as I read that section the Bible verse that the Lord reminded me of is Luke 1:45!
“And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.””
Luke 1:45 AMP (I am desiring to be married and this Bible Verse has been such a Bible verse to hold on to, and also Romans 8:28, and Jeremiah 29:11-14)
🦋 story section what stood out to me: By Faith bridge safe. *Other people’s faith can fuel our own. Faith is built through experience—our own, yes, but also other people’s.*
🦋Process: this reminds me of a few years ago I prayed for a couple that they were desiring to get pregnant! Her husband has a procedure done that did not allow them to have kids! November 02, 2025 I received a message with a photo of the couple that they were pregnant! That is all the Lord!
I love that surrender is coming up for so many people! What I'm excited to dig into is what it looks like to actively surrender. To not just say, Your will be done, God. But to then walk in that will. Most of the time surrender to God takes sweat and blood.
I'm late commenting today as well. I have had this on my mind all day since I read it this morning. One of my team members (from before I retired) posted on fb today: "The question isn't will God do it. The question is, will you be ready when He does?" This resonated with me because I believe the "people of old" were ready because of their trust in Him. That trust translated into action which showed their faith, which garnered God's commendation (or approval, as the RSV reads). So now I find myself concentrating on the "readiness" aspect. Am I ready? I'm hoping this study will help me answer that.
Margaret, I love that. It reminds me of Psalm 5:3 (NIV): "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly".
Which reminded me of Mark 11:24: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (KJV)
As for what it means for the ancients to have received "commendation," this was a question I jotted down on Day 1. How is it the same or different from salvation? Does it refer to the same thing as 10:39 right before it, "preserve their souls"?
Faith and salvation are definitely linked there in Hebrews 10:39. The CSB says, "those who have faith and are saved." However, it seems like this commendation is different than salvation. FF Bruce says in his commentary on Hebrews that this list is the commendation--like a plaque put up to honor them.
Happy afternoon, all! I am late commenting and will put down what I wrote this morning in my journal.
When I think of the ancients, I think of all those who finished the journey of faith who have gone before me. My mind goes to Lord's prayer and think how many people of faith through the ages who said the same words and gives me faith. Sometimes when we feel weak, discouraged, I will vision in my mind the ancients cheering me/us on in faith and encouraging us to keep going, we believe, you can do it! My heart will find the strength, courage, determination to keep going in hopes that I will be greeted with words of affirmation from Yahweh!
I love love love the bridge analogy! Holy Spirit is awesome because I struggled with this definition until seeing it in this new light. It can be defined with the word hope which can be defined by using the word trust and trust is defined with the word faith. But the visual was very eye opening for me🤍
All those family members we remember are those who trusted and moved out in spite of their not being able to see outcomes or even always a clear path. I've always loved this prayer I learned as a young man: "O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord." The knowing "that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us" is the commendation the Holy Spirit gives us as we venture forth.
I love that prayer! Thank you!
Love this prayer. Thank you for sharing Arthur.
Thank you for sharing this prayer - I really like it and have copied it down for my own use.
My mind goes to creation today... God making out of nothing. The unseen God is making an "unseen" thing in us, the substance, the reality, of our union with Him. I'm becoming more convinced that a huge part of faith is actually the faithfulness of God towards us.
Our spiritual ancestors lived and died, because they allowed God to work in their lives, in whatever weak way they could.
Okay, my mind just got blown... the word there is where we get witness or testimony or martyr. Their very LIVES are a testimony to WHO GOD IS and WHAT HE IS DOING. Their faith successfully pointed AND STILL POINTS us to the very one who created and sustains all things.
It's partnership! And if we understand faith as a recognition of an invisible source for every good thing (we'll get to that tomorrow)--then even faith comes from that source. It's this cycle of God giving and us actively receiving.
Yeah! It’s a tie back to Genesis 1 creation!
Yes and amen ✝️🤲🏽
It makes more sense to me that v 1 is not a definition of faith but rather an explanation of how it works/what it does. It also aligns with the notion of faith being a gift, an idea that's been in the back of my mind the last couple of days. Not everyone has it. Years ago, while attending a wake for a Muslim friend's sister, a relative of the deceased (who was an atheist but nominally Muslim) told me that I was "lucky" to have faith. The comment took me by surprise at the time. I remember thinking, "well, if you think it's a good thing, then why don't you just believe in God, too?" But as I've thought more about it, I have come to understand what I think she meant: faith is a gift, not something you can muster out of nothing. It was like she was saying she WANTED to believe, but she couldn't.
That's a mystery isn't it--why some would be given the gift and others not? It's a mystery I'm happy to trust God with, but still something I wonder about. I'm mostly so grateful I have it, and eager to take care of it and keep it burning.
This makes me think of Mark 9:24 “I believe, help my unbelief.”
This may be an oversimplification, but since this is the book of Hebrews I interpreted “the ancients” to be those well-known figures in scripture and in Jewish history whose stories would have been repeated and passed down to each generation. They would have been “commended” in those retellings, and the writer of Hebrews seems to be continuing the “good reports” of some of these ancients who they would have talked about like Abel, Noah, Abraham, etc.
That's a great understanding.
What came to mind when I was praying and considering what it might mean that “the people of old received their commendation" (ESV), was the verse a little further down in the passage "Now before he (Enoch) was taken he was commended (SAME WORD) as having pleased God" (parenthetical statements mine). So, it must be commendable to believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
I love that!
Yes! Amen! Facts! ✝️🔥🫰🏽
This morning when I was reading and I saw the word Commendation. I looked up the definition and this is what it said from Bible Hub: Commendation in the biblical context refers to the act of entrusting, praising, or recommending someone or something, often in the sight of God or the Christian community. It is a significant theme throughout Scripture, reflecting both divine approval and human acknowledgment of faithfulness, virtue, or service.
I love that too! That word stood out to me the other day. Meant a little more today when we ended there in verse 2.
I struggle with performing for God and the language around “approve, commend, given a good report” adds to my fear that a God with a clipboard is overseeing my fear and questions with judgement. This verse didn’t strike a chord with me the last couple days but today my back is up a little - such a testament to the benefit of hunkering down into scripture for a deep study!
I struggle with this, too, Carly. It’s interesting to me that in these examples in Heb 11, the thing that is being “commended” is mostly action…which means I think God is still (maybe even more?) pleased when I act in faith *in the midst of* my fear and questions. I’d really be up a creek if walking by faith required me to never be afraid or never doubt. Surely Abraham and Moses and Rahab and Noah doubted and were afraid, but they still did what God asked them to do, and He was so very proud of them with warm, fatherly joy. Maybe the whole approval thing is less like He’s giving us a report card, and more like He’s showing off our photo in His wallet to anyone who will listen. 🙂
I love this way of seeing it, Bethany. I think a lot of us who struggle with this have had experience not meeting some authority figure's expectations and it's left us kind of wrecked. But God is just SO capable of being more than one thing at once. He can offer unlimited love and grace to the sinner and at the same time commend the one who does what He asks. That's the kind of parent I'm trying to be. I commend my kids like crazy, because I love them. Not because they "finally" met my standard.
I truly believe that so many of my generation(or maybe it’s just me) have been “wrecked” because we just felt we could never do enough or be good enough to please God, but GRACE! Thank God for grace! Now, I’m working on the faith to believe and have faith that His grace reaches me…
Love this, Bethany! Thanks for sharing it with me
Charles Spurgeon once said: "If I find faith in my heart I know someone must have planted it there." Hebrews 11 is faith’s family portrait gallery! We get to remember and give thanks for those who, by their faithfulness, have planted faith in our hearts. We notice the contours of their faith and wonder: what will "by faith" look like in my experience?
• Trust that builds a boat in the desert vv. 1-7
• Trust that longs for a better country vv. 8-22
• Trust that is prepared for disgrace vv.23-31
• Trust that looks forward to what’s promised vv. 32-40
• Trust that fixes its eyes on Jesus 12:1-3
This from Peter Leithart: "Godly courage, physical strength, athletic prowess, excellence, perseverance in trial, etc. all come from God, as the fruit of trust in Him.
"David’s (and Moses’ and Gideon’s and Samson’s and David’s mighty men’s) strength arises from weakness in precisely the same sense as Paul’s: They are strong in faith, by relying on a Helper (Heb 11). They become powerful because of their pedagogy in weakness, which is a training ground in trust."
So, faith is relying on a Helper.
I love that—weakness is a training ground for trust. That’s certainly been my experience!
Carly’s comment sums up my thoughts as well. My initial summary on the verse was “they acted on their faith and God approved them.” This contrasts with my thoughts on grace and the freedom to not have to earn my approval into heaven. Looking forward to understanding this better.
We do often jumble God's approval, salvation, and entrance into Heaven. Are they all one and the same thing? And by God's "approval" do we mean wholesale approval of their lives? Certainly not as some of the people on this list committed egregious sins.
What we can't avoid is the truth that God is pleased when we live by faith. He likes it. He wants other people to hear about it.
Because of their willingness to not shrink back, We continue to tell the stories of the “people of old” to help us keep going.
I like the idea of vs 1 not being a definition. Opens more doors to explore.
I think "received their commendation" refers to the positive effect their faith had on their lives. For example, Able offered his sacrifices through faith, and his commendation was God accepting that sacrifice. Because Abraham had faith, he received an inheritance (his commendation). I also think they are all being commended by being written about and remembered through all of history.
Right--they're heroes for the Jews AND they've had this chance to draw near to God. As we'll notice, sometimes the practical consequences of their faith were terrible--death, for instance. But what's death when you're on your way to be with God?!
Something that came to mind this afternoon - the connection of their commendation being written in the Bible, and the names of the faithful that will be written in the Book of Life that's talked about in Revelation.
“Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval.” Hebrews 11:1-2 AMP
What do I think of verse 1?
🦋As I was reading the word Confirmation stood out to me! What I took for that is that the Lord is always giving us His Confirmation! We just need to really stop and listen and be intentional to God’s voice when He is speaking to us!
🦋 What have I heard other people say it means? This is the first time I am doing a deep dive on Hebrews 11 and it has been amazing and it is only Day Three!
* fully let go, and fully surrender!
🦋Ask Yahweh, What else it might mean? The word commendation in verse 1 in the ESV stood out to me! Continue to just fully trust GOD! We may not see certain things happening right away, but Abba Father has been working them out for His Glory, and God’s glory is what we need to stand out the most in our lives!!!
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.” Hebrews 11:1-2 MSG
(The Message version is one of my favorite versions)
🦋As I was reading the part that says from JL. This section: “But then I read other more literal translations”… as soon as I read that section the Bible verse that the Lord reminded me of is Luke 1:45!
“And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.””
Luke 1:45 AMP (I am desiring to be married and this Bible Verse has been such a Bible verse to hold on to, and also Romans 8:28, and Jeremiah 29:11-14)
🦋 story section what stood out to me: By Faith bridge safe. *Other people’s faith can fuel our own. Faith is built through experience—our own, yes, but also other people’s.*
🦋Process: this reminds me of a few years ago I prayed for a couple that they were desiring to get pregnant! Her husband has a procedure done that did not allow them to have kids! November 02, 2025 I received a message with a photo of the couple that they were pregnant! That is all the Lord!
Blessings! Shabbat! Shalom Shalom!
😁✝️🦋🛡️😇
I love that surrender is coming up for so many people! What I'm excited to dig into is what it looks like to actively surrender. To not just say, Your will be done, God. But to then walk in that will. Most of the time surrender to God takes sweat and blood.
I'm late commenting today as well. I have had this on my mind all day since I read it this morning. One of my team members (from before I retired) posted on fb today: "The question isn't will God do it. The question is, will you be ready when He does?" This resonated with me because I believe the "people of old" were ready because of their trust in Him. That trust translated into action which showed their faith, which garnered God's commendation (or approval, as the RSV reads). So now I find myself concentrating on the "readiness" aspect. Am I ready? I'm hoping this study will help me answer that.
Margaret, I love that. It reminds me of Psalm 5:3 (NIV): "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly".
Which reminded me of Mark 11:24: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (KJV)
As for what it means for the ancients to have received "commendation," this was a question I jotted down on Day 1. How is it the same or different from salvation? Does it refer to the same thing as 10:39 right before it, "preserve their souls"?
Faith and salvation are definitely linked there in Hebrews 10:39. The CSB says, "those who have faith and are saved." However, it seems like this commendation is different than salvation. FF Bruce says in his commentary on Hebrews that this list is the commendation--like a plaque put up to honor them.
Happy afternoon, all! I am late commenting and will put down what I wrote this morning in my journal.
When I think of the ancients, I think of all those who finished the journey of faith who have gone before me. My mind goes to Lord's prayer and think how many people of faith through the ages who said the same words and gives me faith. Sometimes when we feel weak, discouraged, I will vision in my mind the ancients cheering me/us on in faith and encouraging us to keep going, we believe, you can do it! My heart will find the strength, courage, determination to keep going in hopes that I will be greeted with words of affirmation from Yahweh!
I love love love the bridge analogy! Holy Spirit is awesome because I struggled with this definition until seeing it in this new light. It can be defined with the word hope which can be defined by using the word trust and trust is defined with the word faith. But the visual was very eye opening for me🤍