HEBREWS 11:39

Q: After detailing the faith of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph & Moses, etc., the author notes “These were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” What is meant by that?

Paul Ellingsworth (Commentary on Hebrews) points out that the “content of the promise in vv. 39-40 is not precisely defined but from the context of the whole letter it includes a secure homeland and is associated with the resurrection.” This is made a little clearer in the first passage in Hebrews to mention “the promises,” 11:13-16:

“All of these died in faith without having received the promises...They confessed that they were strangers [not in their native land] and foreigners [not permanent dwellers] on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland...they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one”

Associated with the promise of a permanent homeland were “freedom, prosperity and 'rest.'” (George Wesley Buchanan, To the Hebrews) The consummation of these messianic promises was delayed by God, as the author goes on to explain in 11:40 “since God had provided something better so that they [Old Testament heroes of faith] would not, apart from us [Christians] be made perfect.”

As William Barclay puts it, “It was as if God had so arranged things that the full blaze of his glory should not be revealed until we and they can enjoy it together.” (The Letter to the Hebrews)

And what was the “something better” mentioned in verse 40? “The better plan which God had made embraces the better hope, the better promises, the better covenant, the better and abiding possession, and the better resurrection which is their heritage, and ours.” (F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews)

Note that this listing is really a summary of all of the comparative passages in Hebrews.

One more quote is in order: “All of redemptive history, with its manifold partial fulfillments, moves on to its culmination in what might be called the Christ-event.” (Gerald F. Hawthorne, The International Bible Commentary)