Gospel 101 Bible Study

Verse: Hebrews 11:6

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Verse:
   Hebrews 11:6
   But without faith ( faith / pistis ) [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe ( faith / pisteuo ) that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek ( seek / ekzeteo ) him.

Commentary by Adam Clarke
   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.
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Commentary by Barnes
   But without faith it is impossible to please him.
   Without confidence in God--in his fidelity, his truth, his wisdom, his promises. And this is as true in other things as ill religion. It is impossible for a child to please his father unless he has confidence in him. It is impossible for a wife to please her husband, or a husband a wife, unless they have confidence in each other. If there is distrust and jealousy on either part, there is discord and misery. We cannot be pleased with a professed friend unless he has such confidence in us as to believe our declarations and promises, The same thing is true of God. He cannot be pleased with the man who has no confidence in him; who doubts the truth of his declarations and promises; who does not believe that his ways are right, or that he is qualified for universal empire. The requirement of faith or confidence in God is not arbitrary; it is just what we require of our children, and partners in life, and friends, as the indispensable condition of our being pleased with them.
For he that cometh to God.
   In any way--as a worshipper. This is alike required in public worship, in the family, and in secret devotion.
Must believe that he is.
   That God exists. This is the first thing required in worship. Evidently we cannot come to him in an acceptable manner if we doubt his existence. We do not see him, but we must believe that he is; we cannot form in our mind a correct image of God, but this should not prevent a conviction that there is such a Being. But the declaration here implies more than that there should be a general persuasion of the truth that there is a God. It is necessary that we have this belief in lively exercise in the act of drawing near to him, and that we should realize that we are actually in the presence of the all-seeing JEHOVAH.
And that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
   This is equally necessary as the belief that he exists. If we could not believe that God would hear and answer our prayers, there could be no encouragement to call upon him. It is not meant here that the desire of the reward is to be the motive for seeking God--for the apostle makes no affirmation on that point; but that it is impossible to make an acceptable approach to him unless we have this belief.
(a) "him" Psalms 105:21,22
   Psalms 105:21,22
   He made him master of his household,
ruler over all he possessed,
to instruct his princes as he pleased
and teach his elders wisdom.

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Commentary by Coffman
   And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.
Westcott noted that the faith described here has two elements: (1) the belief that God is, and (2) that he is morally active; in other words, it is a faith in the existence of God and in the moral government of God. Furthermore, the expression "seek after him" as in the English Revised Version (1885), falls short of the power of the KJV rendition which reads, "diligently seek him." Although the word "diligently is not in the text, the meaning assuredly is; for, as Westcott wrote, "Wherever it occurs in the New Testament in the sense of `searching' (the word for SEEK) suggests the notion of strenuous endeavor." In the light of this, a preference for the KJV rendition of this verse is not amiss.
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Commentary by Geneva Bible Study
   But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a (d) rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
(d) This reward is not referred to our merits, but to the free promise, as Paul teaches in Abraham the father of all the faithful, (Romans 4:4).
   Romans 4:4
   Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.

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Commentary by David Guzik
   But without faith it is impossible to please Him:
   This is the basic faith required of any who will seek God. One must believe that He is, and one must believe He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We must believe that God is there, and that He will reveal Himself to the seeking heart.
i. The writer to the Hebrews doesn't say that it is difficult to please God without faith. He says that it is impossible.
ii. "These two elements seem most simple, but, alas, how many professing Christians act as if God were not living; and how many others, though seeking after Him, are not expecting from Him as Rewarder!" (Newell)
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Commentary by Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
   without--Greek, "apart from faith": if one be destitute of faith (compare Ro 14:23).
   Ro 14:23
   But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

to please--Translate, as ALFORD does, the Greek aorist, "It is impossible to please God at all" (Ro 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].
   Ro 8:8
   Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

he that cometh to God--as a worshipper (Heb 7:19).
   Heb 7:19
   (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

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, Ga 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.
   Ga 4:8
   Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
Heb 11:1
   Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Heb 11:27
   By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

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 Ge 15:1, "I am thy exceeding great reward."
   Ge 15:1
   After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
"Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward."

of them--and them only.
diligently seek--Greek, "seek out" God. Compare "seek early," Pr 8:17. Not only "ask" and "seek," but "knock," Mt 7:7; compare Heb 11:12; Lu 13:24, "Strive" as in an agony of contest.
   Pr 8:17
   I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
Mt 7:7
   "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Heb 11:12
   And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
Lu 13:24
   He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

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Commentary by John Gill
   But without faith it is impossible to please him
   Or do things well pleasing in his sight; or any of the duties of religion, in an acceptable way; as prayer, praise, attendance on the word and ordinances, or any good works whatever; because such are without Christ, and without his Spirit; and have neither right principles, nor right ends: for this is not to be understood of the persons of God's elect, as considered in Christ; in whom they are well pleasing to him before faith; being loved by him with an everlasting love; and chosen in Christ, before the foundation of the world; (See Gill on Romans 8:8).
for he that cometh to God;
   to the throne of, his grace, to pray unto him, to implore his grace and mercy, help and assistance; to the house of God, to worship, and serve him, and in order to enjoy his presence, and have communion with him; which coming ought to be spiritual and with the heart; and supposes spiritual life; and must be through Christ, and by faith: wherefore such a comer to God,
must believe that he is;
   or exists, as the Arabic version; and he must not barely believe his existence, but that, as it is revealed in the word: he must believe in the three Persons in the Godhead; that the first Person is the Father of Christ; that the second Person is both the Son of God, and Mediator; and that the third Person is the Spirit of them both, and the applier of all grace; for God the Father is to be approached unto, through Christ the Mediator, by the guidance and assistance of the Spirit: and he must believe in the perfections of God; that he is omniscient, and knows his person and wants; is omnipotent, and can do for him, beyond his thoughts and petitions; is all sufficient, and that his grace is sufficient for him; that he is immutable, in his purposes and covenant; that he is true and faithful to his promises; and is the God of grace, love, and mercy: and he must believe in him, not only as the God of nature and providence, but as his covenant God and Father in Christ:
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him;
   who are such, as are first sought out by him; and who seek him in Christ, where he is only to be found; and that with their whole hearts, and above all things else: and, of such, God is a rewarder, in a way of grace; with himself, who is their exceeding great reward; and with his Son, and all things with him; with more grace; and, at last, with eternal glory, the reward of the inheritance.
Copyright Statement
   The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernised and adapted for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rightes Reserved, Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Bibliography Information
   Gill, John. "Commentary on Hebrews 11:6". "The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible". . 1999.

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Commentary by John Wesley
   But without faith
   Even some divine faith in God, it is impossible to please him.
For he that cometh to God
   in prayer, or another act of worship, must believe that he is.
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Commentary by Matthew Henry
   What is here said of his faith, Hebrews 11:6. It is said that without this faith it is impossible to please God, without such a faith as helps us to walk with God, an active faith, and that we cannot come to God unless we believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him.
   (1.) He must believe that God is, and that he is what he is, what he has revealed himself to be in the scripture, a Being of infinite perfections, subsisting in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Observe, The practical belief of the existence of God, as revealed in the word, would be a powerful awe-band upon our souls, a bridle of restraint to keep us from sin, and a spur of constraint to put us upon all manner of gospel obedience.
(2.) That he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Here observe,
   [1.] By the fall we have lost God; we have lost the divine light, life, love, likeness, and communion.
[2.] God is again to be found of us through Christ, the second Adam.
[3.] God has prescribed means and ways wherein he may be found; to with, a strict attention to his oracles, attendance on his ordinances, and ministers duly discharging their office and associating with his people, observing his providential guidance, and in all things humbly waiting his gracious presence.
[4.] Those who would find God in these ways of his must seek him diligently; they must seek early, earnestly, and perseveringly. Then shall they seek him, and find him, if they seek him with all their heart; and when once they have found him, as their reconciled God, they will never repent the pains they have spent in seeking after him.

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Commentary by Oswald Chambers
   Faith
   Hebrews 11:6
   "Without faith it is impossible to please Him."

Faith in antagonism to common sense is fanaticism, and common sense in antagonism to faith is rationalism. The life of faith brings the two into a right relation. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual; of impulse and inspiration. Nothing Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, it is revelation sense, and it reaches the shores where common sense fails. Faith must be tried before the reality of faith is actual. "We know that all things work together for good," then no matter what happens, the alchemy of God's providence transfigures the ideal faith into actual reality. Faith always works on the personal line, the whole purpose of God being to see that the ideal faith is made real in His children.
For every detail of the common-sense life, there is a revelation fact of God whereby we can prove in practical experience what we believe God to be. Faith is a tremendously active principle which always puts Jesus Christ first - Lord, Thou hast said so and so (e.g., Matthew 6:33), it looks mad, but I am going to venture on Thy word. To turn head faith into a personal possession is a fight always, not sometimes. God brings us into circumstances in order to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make its object real. Until we know Jesus, God is a mere abstraction, we can not have faith in Him; but immediately we hear Jesus say - "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father," we have something that is real, and faith is boundless. Faith is the whole man rightly related to God by the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
   Matthew 6:33
   But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

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Commentary by Robertson
   Impossible (adunaton).
   Strong word as in Heb 6:4, Heb 6:18. See Romans 8:8 for same idea with aresai (areskw, Galatians 1:10).
   Heb 6:4
   It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
Heb 6:18
   God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
Romans 8:8
   Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
Galatians 1:10
   Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Must believe (pisteusai dei).
   Moral necessity to have faith (trust, pisteuw). This is true in business also (banks, for instance).
That he is (oti estin).
   The very existence of God is a matter of intelligent faith (Romans 1:19) So that men are left without excuse.
   Romans 1:19
   since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

He is a rewarder (mistapodothv ginetai).
   Rather, "becomes a rewarder" (present middle indicative of ginomai, not of eimi). Only N.T. example of mistapodothv, late and rare double compound (one papyrus example, from mistov (reward) and apodidwmi (to pay back) like mistapodosia (Heb 10:35; Heb 11:26).
   Heb 10:35
   So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Heb 11:26
   He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

Seek after (ekzhtousin).
   That seek out God.
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Prepared by William C. Barman for George Young Memorial United Methodist Church -- Palm Harbor, FL on 9/15/03; 1:36:45 PM