Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Hebrews 11:13 - 11:13
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Heb 11:13. Κατὰ πίστιν, according to or in faith) He does not say here, πίστει, by faith, for κατὰ πίστιν, in faith, accords better with the word, ἀπέθανον, they died. Comp. κατὰ, Mat 1:20.-ἀπέθανον, died) Faith becomes very strong at the hour of death; Heb 11:20, etc.: and at that period hope with respect to things invisible and future is most resplendent.-οὗτοι, these) The pronoun is to be referred to the persons who are mentioned from Heb 11:8, being those who obtained more distinct promises.-τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, the promises i.e. the things which had been promised, Heb 11:39 : good, nay, heavenly things, Heb 11:13, at the end.-ἰδόντες καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι, having seen and embraced them) This expression makes an Oxymoron with πόρρωθεν, afar off, in which Paul delights; for Eustathius explains ἀσπάζεσθαι, to clasp or draw a person to one’s self by grasping his hand, and to embrace him; and this is the custom of friends when they meet. The faith of the ancients is thus exquisitely described; and the passage seems plainly to refer to Joh 8:56, Abraham saw Christ’s day, and was glad.-ὁμολογήσαντες, having confessed) willingly. The confession of being strangers arises from their embracing heavenly things.-ξένοι καὶ παρεπίδημοι) Gen 23:4, πάροικος καὶ παρεπίδημος ἐγώ εἰμι: ibid. Gen 47:9, αἱ ἡμέραι ἅς παροικῶ-ἃς ἡμέρας παρῴκησαν: παρὰ in παρεπίδημοι, diminishes the signification. Worldly men hold fast the world; believers scarcely cling to it in any part, either in deed, or at least with their heart.-ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, upon the earth) An antithesis to ἐπουρανίου, heavenly, Heb 11:16.