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Hebrews 11:6
Verse
Context
The Faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah
5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that cometh to God - The man who professes that it is his duty to worship God, must, if he act rationally, do it on the conviction that there is such a Being infinite, eternal, unoriginated, and self-existent; the cause of all other being; on whom all being depends; and by whose energy, bounty, and providence, all other beings exist, live, and are supplied with the means of continued existence and life. He must believe, also, that he rewards them that diligently seek him; that he is not indifferent about his own worship; that he requires adoration and religious service from men; and that he blesses, and especially protects and saves, those who in simplicity and uprightness of heart seek and serve him. This requires faith, such a faith as is mentioned above; a faith by which we can please God; and now that we have an abundant revelation, a faith according to that revelation; a faith in God through Christ the great sin-offering, without which a man can no more please him, or be accepted of him, than Cain was. As the knowledge of the being of God is of infinite importance in religion, I shall introduce at the end of this chapter a series of propositions, tending to prove the being of God, 1st, a priori; and 2dly, a posteriori; omitting the proofs that are generally produced on those points, for which my readers may refer to works in general circulation on this subject: and 3dly, I shall lay down some phenomena relative to the heavenly bodies, which it will be difficult to account for without acknowledging the infinite skill, power, and continual energy of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
without--Greek, "apart from faith": if one be destitute of faith (compare Rom 14:23). to please--Translate, as ALFORD does, the Greek aorist, "It is impossible to please God at all" (Rom 8:8). Natural amiabilities and "works done before the grace of Christ are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ; yea, rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin" [Article XIII, Book of Common Prayer]. Works not rooted in God are splendid sins [AUGUSTINE]. he that cometh to God--as a worshipper (Heb 7:19). must believe--once for all: Greek aorist tense. that God is--is the true self-existing Jehovah (as contrasted with all so-called gods, not gods, Gal 4:8), the source of all being, though he sees Him not (Heb 11:1) as being "invisible" (Heb 11:27). So Enoch; this passage implies that he had not been favored with visible appearances of God, yet he believed in God's being, and in God's moral government, as the Rewarder of His diligent worshippers, in opposition to antediluvian skepticism. Also Moses was not so favored before he left Egypt the first time (Heb 11:27); still he believed. and . . . is--a different Greek verb from the former "is." Translate, "is eventually"; proves to be; literally, "becomes." rewarder--renderer of reward [ALFORD]. So God proved to be to Enoch. The reward is God Himself diligently "sought" and "walked with" in partial communion here, and to be fully enjoyed hereafter. Compare Gen 15:1, "I am thy exceeding great reward." of them--and them only. diligently seek--Greek, "seek out" God. Compare "seek early," Pro 8:17. Not only "ask" and "seek," but "knock," Mat 7:7; compare Heb 11:12; Luk 13:24, "Strive" as in an agony of contest.
John Gill Bible Commentary
By faith Noah, being warned of God,.... In the Greek text, Noah is called "Noe", and so the Septuagint interpreters of the Old Testament call him; but Josephus calls him "Noeos": or "having received an oracle from God"; in which he was admonished, how to make an ark, as Moses was, in like manner, how to make a tabernacle, Heb 8:5. This oracle or warning is extant, in Gen 6:13 and it was of things not seen as yet; as the universal deluge; the building of an ark or ship, which was the first that ever was in the world; the entrance of all creatures into it; their preservation in it, and the destruction of all without it: and this divine warning, or oracle, concerning things of such a nature, delivered to Noah, and received by him, shows that he was a favourite of God; that his faith rested in the word of God; and that it agreed with the apostle's definition of faith, Heb 11:1, moved with fear; not with a fear of his own damnation; nor with a distrust of the salvation of himself and his family in the ark; but with an awful sense of the judgments of God upon the wicked; and with reverence of God, from whom he received the oracle; and with a religious fear, with which he worshipped God, and which he discovered by a regard to his word and ordinances; and which fear does not arise from nature, but from grace; and is increased by the discoveries of divine love; and is consistent with faith, goes along with it, and is a fruit of it: hence he prepared an ark for the saving of his house. Immediately, and without delay, he set about the building of the ark, and made it exactly according to the pattern which was given him; and his end in it was to secure his family, himself and his wife, his three sons and their wives, from the flood, which he believed would shortly come upon the world, according to the word of God; and in this his faith was seen: and from hence it may be observed, that, though God can save without means, yet, generally speaking, it is his will to save by them; and that as God saved Noah and his family in the waters, so he can, and does, save his people in afflictions; and also, that true faith is attended with obedience: by the which he condemned the world: the inhabitants of the world, the world of the ungodly: as a preacher, he declared they would be condemned, in case of impenitence and unbelief; and his words heard, and his actions seen by them, were aggravations of their condemnation; for by his works, as well as by his words, he reproved, and condemned them; by building the ark, as he declared his own faith, so he condemned their unbelief; See Gill on Mat 12:41. and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith: not of the law, but of the righteousness of Christ, and of eternal life through that; for he was not only heir of this world, as Abraham, but of that which is to come; and not through works of righteousness done by him, but through the righteousness of Christ received by faith, or through faith in Christ, the antitype of the ark.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:6 it is impossible to please God without faith: The author alludes to 10:38, which quotes Hab 2:4. • Faith must include believing that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. In life’s difficulties, readers are challenged to trust in God and to anticipate the fulfillment of his promises.
Hebrews 11:6
The Faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah
5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
A Craving for the Presence - Part 1
By David Wilkerson58K30:14PSA 42:1ISA 55:6MAT 6:25MAT 6:33PHP 4:19HEB 11:6JAS 4:8This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving the presence of the Lord amidst challenging times, highlighting the need to prioritize seeking God's presence over solely relying on His provision. It draws parallels to the story of the children of Israel in the wilderness, warning against becoming complacent or bored even when experiencing God's miraculous provision. The speaker shares personal experiences from a trip to Israel, reflecting on the significance of having a dedicated 'craving room' for intimate communion with God.
(Alabama) the Prodigal
By David Wilkerson44K23:27Prodigal SonMAT 6:33MRK 9:24LUK 15:11JHN 3:16ROM 10:9EPH 2:8HEB 11:6In this sermon, the preacher shares a heart-to-heart talk about the story of the Prodigal Son from the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the unconditional love of the Heavenly Father. The preacher acknowledges his own struggles with fully accepting this love, even as a pastor. He encourages the audience to rejoice, let go of their past, and appropriate the blessings and provisions that the Father has for them. The sermon highlights the negative effects of fear, self-pity, and unbelief, and urges listeners to trust in the love of God.
Choosing Rather to Suffer
By Leonard Ravenhill33K1:10:27SufferingISA 53:3MAT 6:33ACT 8:61TI 4:5HEB 11:6HEB 11:23In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of dedication and sacrifice in our pursuit of righteousness. He uses examples of athletes who train for hours every day to achieve success, highlighting their commitment and discipline. The speaker challenges the audience to examine how they spend their time and urges them to prioritize their relationship with God. He also discusses the concept of faith, explaining that it involves reckoning on God, taking risks, and finding rest in His faithfulness. The sermon concludes with a reminder of God's endless power and compassion, urging listeners to repent and turn to Him.
Laws of Spiritual Progress - Part 1
By Derek Prince24K21:28Spiritual GrowthECC 5:2MAT 6:33MRK 16:15ACT 1:81CO 15:58HEB 11:6REV 22:12In this sermon, the speaker discusses two lessons they have learned about making spiritual progress. The first principle they emphasize is the importance of taking a step of faith and putting oneself in a position to experience God's power. They believe that progress cannot be made without this step. The second lesson is about the significance of being cautious about what one preaches, as they will eventually have to practice it themselves. The speaker shares a personal experience of seeking God's guidance and realizing the need for further spiritual growth. They emphasize the importance of not speaking rashly to God, as our words are recorded and will be brought before Him in the future. The speaker references the fifth chapter of Ecclesiastes to support this point.
(Hebrews) 6-Noah
By Leonard Ravenhill15K1:16:04NoahGEN 6:132TI 3:16HEB 2:1HEB 3:1HEB 11:1HEB 11:6REV 1:1In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of faith in pleasing God. He emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God. The speaker also highlights the concept of worshiping God by gazing upon His attributes and redemptive work in Jesus Christ. The sermon mentions the example of Enoch, who cried out to the people about God's judgment, but was ignored. The speaker concludes by reminding the audience that faith is what enables individuals to achieve great things and overcome challenges.
2006 Heart-Cry - Journal Reading and Message
By Paul Washer14K58:20Living By FaithPSA 34:10JER 29:13MAT 7:7ROM 8:291CO 2:9HEB 11:6JAS 4:2In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the goodness of God and His plans for believers. He encourages young men to seek and avail themselves of God's promises through prayer and perseverance. The speaker shares a personal testimony of wrestling with a particular issue for many years and experiencing a breakthrough through prayer. He also highlights the faithfulness of God in providing for their ministry despite financial challenges. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the importance of relying on God alone and the abundance of promises in the Bible for believers.
(1 Peter - Part 4): The Christians Inheritance
By A.W. Tozer13K31:11InheritanceMAT 6:33MAT 25:21PHP 3:13HEB 11:6REV 2:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of looking forward and not dwelling on the past. He uses the example of a baseball player who never looks back and trusts that God will take care of what comes next. The preacher highlights that a Christian's future is more glorious than their past, and even a moment with God is more wonderful than years on earth. He warns against looking back like Lot's wife and encourages believers to keep their focus on Jesus. The sermon also discusses the concept of earning rewards from God, explaining that it is more about meeting conditions for God to bestow blessings rather than actually earning them. Overall, the message emphasizes the need for Christians to keep their eyes on the future and not get stuck in the past.
A Craving for the Presence - Part 2
By David Wilkerson12K27:17EXO 33:15DEU 4:29PSA 27:8PSA 42:1PSA 105:4ISA 55:6MAT 6:33PHP 3:10HEB 11:6JAS 4:8This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving and seeking the presence of the Lord in our lives, rather than just relying on legal contracts or promises. It highlights the need for a deep, intimate relationship with God, where His presence is cherished above all else, even in times of hardship and uncertainty. The message calls for a genuine desire to know Jesus and experience His glory, urging believers to have a craving heart for the Lord.
A Lecture for Little-Faith
By C.H. Spurgeon11K49:26PSA 1:2ISA 55:11MAT 6:33MAT 25:29LUK 17:5ROM 4:20HEB 11:6The sermon transcript discusses the importance of rejoicing in the Lord and finding gladness in one's heart. It encourages those who have been fasting or feeling sad to anoint their heads and wash their faces, so as not to appear outwardly sorrowful. The sermon also highlights the character of Little Faith, emphasizing that while it may not have strong confidence in its salvation, it is still assured of heaven. The speaker urges listeners to actively use and strengthen their faith, rather than being lazy and complacent in their spiritual journey.
Fresh Faith Book Reading Clip
By Jim Cymbala8.2K02:03Book ReadingMRK 10:15JHN 10:102CO 10:4EPH 6:12HEB 11:6JAS 1:61PE 5:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the diabolical work of Satan, who has no sympathy and seeks to rip people off every week. However, Jesus came to offer abundant life and can revive various aspects of our lives, including marriages and spiritual callings. The preacher emphasizes the need for vibrant heart faith and childlike trust in Christ, which can change the way we live, talk, and feel. Faith is described as total dependence on God, which becomes supernatural in its working. The sermon encourages believers to see beyond their circumstances and trust that God is with them. It emphasizes that faith is essential for pleasing God and is the foundation for Christian living. The preacher calls for believers to engage in spiritual warfare, fighting for their stolen property through faith and prayer.
A Call to Faith
By David Wilkerson7.9K1:01:36FaithPSA 121:5MAT 6:33MRK 11:22ACT 3:6ROM 10:17HEB 11:6JAS 2:17In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of faith and the need to challenge, commit, and obligate oneself to God. He references the story of Joshua in the Bible, where Joshua commits God to act and obligates Him to make the sun stand still in order to win a battle. The speaker emphasizes the power of committing God before others and the importance of deepening one's faith. He also mentions the story of Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal and how he committed God to answer by fire. The sermon encourages listeners to have unwavering faith and to trust in God's power to act.
(Men Who Met God): Elijah - "The Lord Leviticus Before Whom I Stand"
By A.W. Tozer6.6K47:50Elijah1KI 18:211KI 18:401KI 19:91KI 19:111KI 19:181KI 19:21MAT 6:332TI 4:3HEB 11:6JAS 1:121PE 5:8REV 2:10REV 3:16In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of finding reality and how sin often prevents us from experiencing it. He explores the inner conflict within humans, where the divine nature clashes with the sinful nature. The preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the meaning behind hymns and not just singing them without comprehension. He challenges the audience to take action and not waste their time, urging them to seek the faith and courage of Elijah in standing before God.
Hebrews 11 - Part 3
By Leonard Ravenhill5.9K1:08:38GEN 4:1HEB 7:25HEB 11:6In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the significance of blood in the Bible. He mentions various historical events where bloodshed occurred, emphasizing that blood is sacred and cries out to God. The preacher then focuses on the story of Cain and Abel from the book of Genesis, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's word. He emphasizes the need for both belief and behavior in the gospel, and warns against partial obedience. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the preciousness of time and the urgency of living a life aligned with God's will.
Audio Sermon: Seeking God
By Hans R. Waldvogel5.5K15:102CH 15:2PSA 27:8PSA 105:4PRO 4:23JER 29:13MAT 6:33MAT 7:7PHP 3:8HEB 11:6JAS 4:8This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking and finding God with our whole hearts, highlighting the transformative power of truly knowing God. It challenges listeners to not settle for superficial blessings or experiences but to press through to a deep, intimate relationship with God. The speaker urges a dedicated pursuit of God, drawing from biblical examples like the woman searching for a lost coin and the need for ministers and believers to truly know the Lord in their service.
(Hebrews - Part 33): By Faith Enoch
By A.W. Tozer5.1K24:15ExpositionalGEN 4:4GEN 5:22GEN 5:24GEN 6:5MAT 7:7ROM 3:23HEB 11:6In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Enoch from the Bible and highlights five key lessons that can be learned from his life. The first lesson is that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Enoch's faith allowed him to find water in the desert when no one else could. The second lesson is the importance of the Church as a new brotherhood of the redeemed. The speaker emphasizes the significance of connecting the past with the present and allowing those who have knowledge to teach those who do not. Lastly, the speaker encourages the audience to be willing to detach themselves from their generation and seek God's approval rather than the approval of others. The example of John Wesley is given as someone who faced opposition but ultimately triumphed by staying true to his message.
Communication of Our Faith - Part 4
By Alan Redpath4.9K56:17FaithMAT 6:33MAT 14:30HEB 11:6In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the smallness of the world and the great task that lies before the church. He acknowledges the challenges and distractions that can hinder spiritual growth and commitment. The speaker also highlights the need to restore our relationship with God and make Him the Lord of our lives. He shares a personal experience and encourages the audience to reflect on their own relationship with God.
That Dreadful Day (Coming Economic Collapse) David Wilkerson
By David Wilkerson4.9K45:32HAB 3:17ROM 1:17COL 3:121TH 5:6HEB 11:6JAS 1:62PE 3:92PE 3:14This sermon from 2 Peter 3 discusses the impending day of the Lord, emphasizing the need for believers to be prepared and live in holiness and godliness. The message warns of coming catastrophes and the urgency to be diligent, peaceful, and blameless in anticipation of the Lord's return. It highlights the importance of faith, forgiveness, and being conformed to the image of Christ amidst the trials and tribulations of the world.
(Godly Home) Part 4 - a Vision That Motivates
By Denny Kenaston4.3K40:00Godly Home SeriesGEN 18:19PRO 29:18MAT 6:33ACT 20:24EPH 3:20COL 1:29HEB 11:6In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a vision that sustains and motivates us in our spiritual journey. He highlights the encouraging words found in Ephesians 3:20, which remind us that God is full of power and able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think. The speaker urges listeners to personally experience this power working within them, just as Paul did, so that they can reach their full potential. He also discusses the consequences of not having a spiritual vision, which can lead to a cooling of the heart, a distancing from God, and a degeneration of society. The speaker encourages listeners to pass on their spiritual vision to future generations, as seen in the example of godly fathers in Israel.
Our God Can Fix Anything - Part 1
By David Wilkerson4.2K30:08GEN 18:14PSA 100:4MAT 19:26MRK 9:23LUK 18:272CO 12:9PHP 4:6HEB 11:6JAS 1:6Pastor Wilkerson of Times Square Church welcomes worshippers from various nationalities and encourages them to draw closer to Jesus through worship and preaching. The sermon emphasizes the belief in God's ability to fix any situation, drawing from the story of Abraham and Sarah to illustrate the power of trusting in God's ability to do the impossible.
(Basics) 18. More on Dead Works
By Zac Poonen4.2K13:25DEU 28:1MAT 6:33MAT 19:16MAT 20:1HEB 6:1HEB 11:6In this sermon, the preacher uses the parable of the laborers in the vineyard from Matthew 20 to answer the question of what we should expect to gain from our work. The main difference between the last group of laborers and the others is that they did not have an agreement for any pay. Despite working for only one hour, the master rewards them first, giving them 12 times the pay of the first group. The preacher emphasizes that God values works done out of love and gratitude, not for the sake of obtaining a reward. He also highlights the danger of doing works merely to ease one's conscience, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith and obedience.
Corn in Egypt
By C.H. Spurgeon4.2K48:09GEN 42:1MAT 11:28MRK 16:16LUK 12:31JHN 3:14ACT 16:31HEB 11:6In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of relying solely on the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross for salvation. He encourages the listeners to believe in Jesus as their Redeemer, assuring them that their sins will be forgiven and they will be accepted as children of God. The preacher also mentions the rewards awaiting believers in the afterlife, such as a crown, a harp, and a mansion in the realms of the glorified. He concludes by highlighting the effectiveness of using illustrations and parables in preaching, drawing inspiration from Jesus' own use of them. The sermon references the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis as an illustration of man's lost estate and the hope found in Christ.
Losing the Anointing - Part 2 (High Quality)
By David Wilkerson3.9K29:182CH 7:14NEH 1:4PSA 27:8ISA 55:6DAN 10:12MAT 7:7ACT 3:19HEB 11:6JAS 4:8REV 3:20This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking a fresh anointing from God, recounting personal experiences of revival and the need for a renewed passion for ministry. The speaker shares about the challenges faced in ministry, the call to intimacy with Christ, and the necessity of perseverance and seeking God's face for a new anointing to fulfill one's purpose.
(Basics) 19. Some More on Dead Works
By Zac Poonen3.8K13:25DEU 28:1MAT 6:33MAT 19:16MAT 20:1HEB 6:1HEB 11:6In this sermon, the preacher uses the parable of the laborers in the vineyard from Matthew 20 to answer the question of what we should expect to gain from our work. The main difference between the last group of laborers and the others is that they did not have an agreement for any pay. Despite working for only one hour, the master rewards them first, giving them 12 times the pay of the first group. The preacher emphasizes that God values works done out of love and gratitude, not for the sake of obtaining a reward. He also highlights the danger of doing works merely to ease one's conscience, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith and obedience.
Religiosity or Spirituality #1 - Hungering for More of God
By Zac Poonen3.8K47:13ReligiosityMAT 6:33ROM 6:14GAL 3:13HEB 11:6In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that many believers are not living up to their full potential in their Christian walk because they are satisfied with mediocrity. He compares this to a student who settles for just passing an exam with the minimum required score. The speaker encourages listeners to have a mindset of striving for excellence in their spiritual lives, just as they would in material and physical matters. He highlights the story of Jacob in the Old Testament as an example of someone who persisted in seeking God's blessing and received it. The speaker concludes by urging listeners to pause and listen to what God is saying to them, so that their lives can become a blessing to others.
A Touch From God - Part 3
By David Wilkerson3.7K09:08EXO 33:7PSA 25:5PSA 27:8PSA 37:7PSA 62:5PSA 130:5ISA 40:31LAM 3:25HEB 11:6JAS 4:8This sermon emphasizes the importance of waiting on the Lord and seeking His presence, highlighting the consequences of spiritual adultery and the need to come out from places of defilement to experience God's power and authority. It underscores the vital difference God's presence makes in a congregation and the necessity of prioritizing intimacy with Him above all else.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that cometh to God - The man who professes that it is his duty to worship God, must, if he act rationally, do it on the conviction that there is such a Being infinite, eternal, unoriginated, and self-existent; the cause of all other being; on whom all being depends; and by whose energy, bounty, and providence, all other beings exist, live, and are supplied with the means of continued existence and life. He must believe, also, that he rewards them that diligently seek him; that he is not indifferent about his own worship; that he requires adoration and religious service from men; and that he blesses, and especially protects and saves, those who in simplicity and uprightness of heart seek and serve him. This requires faith, such a faith as is mentioned above; a faith by which we can please God; and now that we have an abundant revelation, a faith according to that revelation; a faith in God through Christ the great sin-offering, without which a man can no more please him, or be accepted of him, than Cain was. As the knowledge of the being of God is of infinite importance in religion, I shall introduce at the end of this chapter a series of propositions, tending to prove the being of God, 1st, a priori; and 2dly, a posteriori; omitting the proofs that are generally produced on those points, for which my readers may refer to works in general circulation on this subject: and 3dly, I shall lay down some phenomena relative to the heavenly bodies, which it will be difficult to account for without acknowledging the infinite skill, power, and continual energy of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
without--Greek, "apart from faith": if one be destitute of faith (compare Rom 14:23). to please--Translate, as ALFORD does, the Greek aorist, "It is impossible to please God at all" (Rom 8:8). Natural amiabilities and "works done before the grace of Christ are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ; yea, rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin" [Article XIII, Book of Common Prayer]. Works not rooted in God are splendid sins [AUGUSTINE]. he that cometh to God--as a worshipper (Heb 7:19). must believe--once for all: Greek aorist tense. that God is--is the true self-existing Jehovah (as contrasted with all so-called gods, not gods, Gal 4:8), the source of all being, though he sees Him not (Heb 11:1) as being "invisible" (Heb 11:27). So Enoch; this passage implies that he had not been favored with visible appearances of God, yet he believed in God's being, and in God's moral government, as the Rewarder of His diligent worshippers, in opposition to antediluvian skepticism. Also Moses was not so favored before he left Egypt the first time (Heb 11:27); still he believed. and . . . is--a different Greek verb from the former "is." Translate, "is eventually"; proves to be; literally, "becomes." rewarder--renderer of reward [ALFORD]. So God proved to be to Enoch. The reward is God Himself diligently "sought" and "walked with" in partial communion here, and to be fully enjoyed hereafter. Compare Gen 15:1, "I am thy exceeding great reward." of them--and them only. diligently seek--Greek, "seek out" God. Compare "seek early," Pro 8:17. Not only "ask" and "seek," but "knock," Mat 7:7; compare Heb 11:12; Luk 13:24, "Strive" as in an agony of contest.
John Gill Bible Commentary
By faith Noah, being warned of God,.... In the Greek text, Noah is called "Noe", and so the Septuagint interpreters of the Old Testament call him; but Josephus calls him "Noeos": or "having received an oracle from God"; in which he was admonished, how to make an ark, as Moses was, in like manner, how to make a tabernacle, Heb 8:5. This oracle or warning is extant, in Gen 6:13 and it was of things not seen as yet; as the universal deluge; the building of an ark or ship, which was the first that ever was in the world; the entrance of all creatures into it; their preservation in it, and the destruction of all without it: and this divine warning, or oracle, concerning things of such a nature, delivered to Noah, and received by him, shows that he was a favourite of God; that his faith rested in the word of God; and that it agreed with the apostle's definition of faith, Heb 11:1, moved with fear; not with a fear of his own damnation; nor with a distrust of the salvation of himself and his family in the ark; but with an awful sense of the judgments of God upon the wicked; and with reverence of God, from whom he received the oracle; and with a religious fear, with which he worshipped God, and which he discovered by a regard to his word and ordinances; and which fear does not arise from nature, but from grace; and is increased by the discoveries of divine love; and is consistent with faith, goes along with it, and is a fruit of it: hence he prepared an ark for the saving of his house. Immediately, and without delay, he set about the building of the ark, and made it exactly according to the pattern which was given him; and his end in it was to secure his family, himself and his wife, his three sons and their wives, from the flood, which he believed would shortly come upon the world, according to the word of God; and in this his faith was seen: and from hence it may be observed, that, though God can save without means, yet, generally speaking, it is his will to save by them; and that as God saved Noah and his family in the waters, so he can, and does, save his people in afflictions; and also, that true faith is attended with obedience: by the which he condemned the world: the inhabitants of the world, the world of the ungodly: as a preacher, he declared they would be condemned, in case of impenitence and unbelief; and his words heard, and his actions seen by them, were aggravations of their condemnation; for by his works, as well as by his words, he reproved, and condemned them; by building the ark, as he declared his own faith, so he condemned their unbelief; See Gill on Mat 12:41. and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith: not of the law, but of the righteousness of Christ, and of eternal life through that; for he was not only heir of this world, as Abraham, but of that which is to come; and not through works of righteousness done by him, but through the righteousness of Christ received by faith, or through faith in Christ, the antitype of the ark.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:6 it is impossible to please God without faith: The author alludes to 10:38, which quotes Hab 2:4. • Faith must include believing that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. In life’s difficulties, readers are challenged to trust in God and to anticipate the fulfillment of his promises.