By it means by faith, and by that faith the elders received a favorable testimony and commendation with approval from God and before Him. The elders are the faithful people of earlier times, including the patriarchs and apostles, who surround believers as a great cloud of witnesses. The faith meant is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, acting on what is hoped for and unseen rather than waiting for the work to be done first. They are set forth as examples to teach workers for God to go forward in faith doing their best while watching, working and praying, trusting God through trials and serving as channels of His power, standing firm against opposing evil because sustained and held by His hand. By meekness also the elders obtained a good report and were renowned in their generation.
Words and Meaning
By it means by faith, and it was by this faith that the elders received a favorable testimony, a good report, and commendation. That good report was approval and commendation from God and before God.
The elders are the faithful people of earlier times, including the patriarchs and apostles, who are the great cloud of witnesses surrounding believers.
The faith meant is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, giving substance to what is hoped for and evidence of what cannot be seen. It acts on what is hoped for and not seen rather than waiting for the work to be done first. This faith turns the mind from discouraging things that are seen toward the unseen, and leads believers to seek a better country and the heavenly city God has made. It is necessary to please God, and believers need an increase of it.
By meekness the elders obtained a good report and were renowned in their generation. That meekness is learned from Christ, who is meek and lowly in heart, and is the highest standard of excellence God's people and especially its leaders must cultivate.
Example and Application
The faithful people of earlier times are held up as examples whose commended faith teaches workers for God to go forward in faith doing their best while watching, working, and praying. God hears and answers such petitions, and this work builds experience valuable for later service. That same faith can work in believers now, helping them trust God through trials and serve as channels of His power. Heroes of faith in every age were marked by fidelity to God and have been brought into public view and conspicuously before the world so their light could shine for people in darkness. Faithful people in every age have shown that fidelity through obedience, self-denial, and service, and their lives have witnessed to God and led others to glorify Him. Their aim is not worldly fame but doing good and saving souls.
By faith the elders faced evils and difficulties in their way and stood firm in the name of the Lord against opposing forces of evil. They succeeded in that resistance because they were sustained and strengthened, with the Lord holding them by His hand, and so gained approval. Though they had weaknesses and were subject to reproof, they did not give way to despair when the Holy Spirit pointed out their transgressions and imperfections of character. Instead they took heed to the messages that came to them and received the Lord's correction, and words of inspiration were given for their comfort. God was powerful to save every repentant soul among them, He fought their battles for them, and in His strength they conquered gloriously. Their example shows that firm principles and noble character can be lived out even amid corrupting conditions, as seen in a later faithful life such as that of Joseph Bates.
The verse is a message of divine authority to believers who have lost their hold on Jesus, calling them to living faith in Christ as High Priest standing in the presence of God, through whom they may enter the true tabernacle not made with hands. This faith draws near with a true heart in full assurance and holds fast without wavering because He who promised is faithful. It expresses itself in considering one another to provoke to love and good works and in assembling together as the day approaches. By meekness the elders obtained a good report and were renowned in their generation. Meekness learned from Christ, who is meek and lowly in heart, is the highest standard of excellence God's people and especially its leaders must cultivate.
By it means by faith, and by that faith the elders received a favorable testimony and commendation with approval from God and before Him. The elders are the faithful people of earlier times, including the patriarchs and apostles, who surround believers as a great cloud of witnesses. The faith meant is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, acting on what is hoped for and unseen rather than waiting for the work to be done first. They are set forth as examples to teach workers for God to go forward in faith doing their best while watching, working and praying, trusting God through trials and serving as channels of His power, standing firm against opposing evil because sustained and held by His hand. By meekness also the elders obtained a good report and were renowned in their generation.
Words and Meaning
By it means by faith, and it was by this faith that the elders received a favorable testimony, a good report, and commendation. That good report was approval and commendation from God and before God.
The elders are the faithful people of earlier times, including the patriarchs and apostles, who are the great cloud of witnesses surrounding believers.
The faith meant is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, giving substance to what is hoped for and evidence of what cannot be seen. It acts on what is hoped for and not seen rather than waiting for the work to be done first. This faith turns the mind from discouraging things that are seen toward the unseen, and leads believers to seek a better country and the heavenly city God has made. It is necessary to please God, and believers need an increase of it.
By meekness the elders obtained a good report and were renowned in their generation. That meekness is learned from Christ, who is meek and lowly in heart, and is the highest standard of excellence God's people and especially its leaders must cultivate.
Example and Application
The faithful people of earlier times are held up as examples whose commended faith teaches workers for God to go forward in faith doing their best while watching, working, and praying. God hears and answers such petitions, and this work builds experience valuable for later service. That same faith can work in believers now, helping them trust God through trials and serve as channels of His power. Heroes of faith in every age were marked by fidelity to God and have been brought into public view and conspicuously before the world so their light could shine for people in darkness. Faithful people in every age have shown that fidelity through obedience, self-denial, and service, and their lives have witnessed to God and led others to glorify Him. Their aim is not worldly fame but doing good and saving souls.
By faith the elders faced evils and difficulties in their way and stood firm in the name of the Lord against opposing forces of evil. They succeeded in that resistance because they were sustained and strengthened, with the Lord holding them by His hand, and so gained approval. Though they had weaknesses and were subject to reproof, they did not give way to despair when the Holy Spirit pointed out their transgressions and imperfections of character. Instead they took heed to the messages that came to them and received the Lord's correction, and words of inspiration were given for their comfort. God was powerful to save every repentant soul among them, He fought their battles for them, and in His strength they conquered gloriously. Their example shows that firm principles and noble character can be lived out even amid corrupting conditions, as seen in a later faithful life such as that of Joseph Bates.
The verse is a message of divine authority to believers who have lost their hold on Jesus, calling them to living faith in Christ as High Priest standing in the presence of God, through whom they may enter the true tabernacle not made with hands. This faith draws near with a true heart in full assurance and holds fast without wavering because He who promised is faithful. It expresses itself in considering one another to provoke to love and good works and in assembling together as the day approaches. By meekness the elders obtained a good report and were renowned in their generation. Meekness learned from Christ, who is meek and lowly in heart, is the highest standard of excellence God's people and especially its leaders must cultivate.