1Der GlaubeG4102 aberG1161 istG2076 eine VerwirklichungG5287 dessen, was man hofftG1679, eine ÜberzeugungG1650 von DingenG4229, die man nichtG3756 siehtG991. 2DennG1063 inG1722 diesemG5026 habenG3140 die AltenG4245 Zeugnis erlangtG3140. 3Durch GlaubenG4102 verstehenG3539 wir, daß die WeltenG165 durch GottesG2316 WortG4487 bereitetG2675 worden sind, so daßG1519 das, wasG3588 man siehtG991, nichtG3361 ausG1537 ErscheinendemG5316 gewordenG1096 ist. 4Durch GlaubenG4102 brachteG4374 AbelG6 GottG2316 ein vorzüglicheresG4119 OpferG2378 darG4374 alsG3844 KainG2535, durchG1223 welchesG3739 er Zeugnis erlangteG3140, daß er gerechtG1342 warG1511, indem GottG2316 Zeugnis gabG3140 zuG1909 seinenG846 GabenG1435; undG2532 durchG1223 diesenG846, obgleich er gestorbenG599 ist, redetG2980 er nochG2089. 5Durch GlaubenG4102 wardG3346 HenochG1802 entrücktG3346, damit er den TodG2288 nichtG3361 sehenG1492 sollte, undG2532 er wurdeG2147 nichtG3756 gefundenG2147, weilG1360 GottG2316 ihnG846 entrücktG3346 hatte; dennG1063 vorG4253 derG846 EntrückungG3331 hat er das Zeugnis gehabtG3140, daß er GottG2316 wohlgefallenG2100 habe. 6OhneG5565 GlaubenG4102 aberG1161 ist es unmöglichG102, ihm wohlzugefallenG2100; dennG1063 wer GottG2316 nahtG4334, mußG1163 glaubenG4100, daßG3754 er istG2076, undG2532 denen, die ihnG846 suchenG1567, ein BelohnerG3406 istG1096. 7Durch GlaubenG4102 bereiteteG2680 NoahG3575, als er einen göttlichen AusspruchG5537 überG4012 das, was noch nichtG3369 zu sehenG991 war, empfangenG5537 hatte, von Furcht bewegtG2125, eine ArcheG2787 zurG1519 RettungG4991 seinesG846 HausesG3624, durchG1223 welcheG3739 er die WeltG2889 verurteilteG2632 undG2532 ErbeG2818 der GerechtigkeitG1343 wurdeG1096, die nachG2596 dem GlaubenG4102 ist. 8Durch GlaubenG4102 warG5219 AbrahamG11, als er gerufenG2564 wurde, gehorsamG5219, auszuziehenG1831 anG1519 den OrtG5117, denG3739 er zumG1519 ErbteilG2817 empfangenG2983 sollteG3195; undG2532 er zog ausG1831, nichtG3361 wissendG1987, wohinG4226 er kommeG2064. 9Durch GlaubenG4102 hielt er sich aufG3939 inG1519 dem LandeG1093 der VerheißungG1860, wieG5613 in einem fremdenG245, undG2532 wohnteG2730 inG1722 ZeltenG4633 mitG3326 IsaakG2464 undG2532 JakobG2384, den MiterbenG4789 derselbenG846 VerheißungG1860; 10dennG1063 er erwarteteG1551 die StadtG4172, welche GrundlagenG2310 hatG2192, derenG3739 BaumeisterG5079 undG2532 SchöpferG1217 GottG2316 ist. 11Durch GlaubenG4102 empfingG2983 auchG2532 selbstG846 SarahG4564 KraftG1411, einen SamenG4690 zuG1519 gründenG2602, undG2532 zwar überG3844 die geeignete ZeitG2540 des AltersG2244 hinausG3844, weilG1893 sieG2233 den für treuG4103 achteteG2233, der die Verheißung gegebenG1861 hatte. 12DeshalbG1352 sindG1080 auchG2532 vonG575 einemG1520, undG2532 zwar GestorbenenG3499, geborenG1080 worden gleichwieG2531 die SterneG798 des HimmelsG3772 an MengeG4128, undG2532 wieG5616 der SandG285 amG3844 UferG5491 des MeeresG2281, derG3588 unzähligG382 ist. 13DieseG3778 alleG3956 sindG599 imG2596 GlaubenG4102 gestorbenG599 und habenG2983 die VerheißungenG1860 nichtG3361 empfangenG2983, sondernG235 sahenG1492 sieG846 von ferneG4207 undG2532 begrüßtenG782 sie undG2532 bekanntenG3670, daßG3754 sie FremdlingeG3581 undG2532 ohne BürgerschaftG3927 aufG1909 der ErdeG1093 seienG1526. 14DennG1063 die solchesG5108 sagenG3004, zeigen deutlichG1718, daßG3754 sie ein VaterlandG3968 suchenG1934. 15UndG2532 G3303 wennG1487 sie an jenesG1565 gedachtG3421 hätten, vonG575 welchemG3739 sie ausgegangenG1831 waren, so hättenG2192 G302 sie ZeitG2540 gehabtG2192 zurückzukehrenG344. 16JetztG3570 aberG1161 trachten sie nachG3713 einem besserenG2909, das istG5123 himmlischenG2032. DarumG1352 schämtG1870 sich GottG2316 ihrer nichtG3756, ihrG846 GottG2316 genanntG1941 zu werden, dennG1063 er hatG2090 ihnenG846 eine StadtG4172 bereitetG2090. 17Durch GlaubenG4102 hatG4374 AbrahamG11, als er versuchtG3985 wurde, den IsaakG2464 geopfertG4374, undG2532 der, welcher die VerheißungenG1860 empfangenG324 hatte, brachteG4374 den EingeborenenG3439 darG4374, 18überG4314 welchenG3739 gesagtG2980 worden war: "InG1722 IsaakG2464 sollG2564 deinG4671 SameG4690 genanntG2564 werden"; 19indem er urteilteG3049, daßG3754 GottG2316 auchG2532 ausG1537 den TotenG3498 zu erweckenG1453 vermögeG1415, von woherG3606 er ihnG846 auchG2532 imG1722 GleichnisG3850 empfingG2865. 20Durch GlaubenG4102 segneteG2127 IsaakG2464, in Bezug aufG4012 zukünftige DingeG3195, den JakobG2384 undG2532 den EsauG2269. 21Durch GlaubenG4102 segneteG2127 JakobG2384 sterbendG599 einen jedenG1538 der SöhneG5207 JosephsG2501 undG2532 betete anG4352 überG1909 der SpitzeG206 seinesG846 StabesG4464. 22Durch GlaubenG4102 gedachteG3421 JosephG2501 sterbendG5053 desG4012 AuszugsG1841 der SöhneG5207 IsraelsG2474 undG2532 gab BefehlG1781 wegenG4012 seinerG846 GebeineG3747. 23Durch GlaubenG4102 wurdeG2928 MosesG3475, als er geborenG1080 wurde, drei MonateG5150 vonG5259 seinenG846 ElternG3962 verborgenG2928, weilG1360 sie sahenG1492, daß das KindleinG3813 schönG791 war; undG2532 sie fürchtetenG5399 das GebotG1297 des KönigsG935 nichtG3756. 24Durch GlaubenG4102 weigerteG720 sich MosesG3475, als er großG3173 gewordenG1096 war, ein SohnG5207 der TochterG2364 PharaosG5328 zu heißenG3004, 25undG2532 wählteG138 lieberG3123, mit dem VolkeG2992 GottesG2316 Ungemach zu leidenG4778, alsG2228 die zeitlicheG4340 ErgötzungG619 der SündeG266 zu habenG2192, 26indem er die SchmachG3680 des ChristusG5547 für größerenG3187 ReichtumG4149 hieltG2233 alsG3187 die SchätzeG2344 ÄgyptensG125; dennG1063 er schauteG578 aufG1519 die BelohnungG3405. 27Durch GlaubenG4102 verließG2641 er ÄgyptenG125 und fürchteteG5399 die WutG2372 des KönigsG935 nichtG3361; dennG1063 er hielt standhaft ausG2594, alsG5613 säheG3708 er den UnsichtbarenG517. 28Durch GlaubenG4102 hatG4160 er das PassahG3957 gefeiertG4160 undG2532 die BesprengungG4378 des BlutesG129, auf daßG2443 der ZerstörerG3645 der ErstgeburtG4416 sieG846 nichtG3361 antasteG2345. 29Durch GlaubenG4102 gingen sie durchG1224 das RoteG2063 MeerG2281 wieG5613 durchG1223 trockenesG3584 Land, welchesG3739 die ÄgypterG124 versuchtenG3984 G2983 und verschlungenG2666 wurden. 30Durch GlaubenG4102 fielenG4098 die MauernG5038 JerichosG2410, nachdem sieG2944 siebenG1909 G2033 TageG2250 umzogenG2944 waren. 31Durch GlaubenG4102 kamG4881 RahabG4460, die HureG4204, nichtG3756 mit den UngläubigenG544 umG4881, da sie die KundschafterG2685 inG3326 FriedenG1515 aufgenommenG1209 hatte. 32UndG2532 wasG5101 sollG3004 ich nochG2089 sagenG3004 ? DennG1063 die ZeitG5550 würdeG1952 mirG3165 fehlenG1952, wenn ich erzählenG1334 wollte vonG4012 GideonG1066 undG2532 BarakG913 undG2532 SimsonG4546 undG2532 JephtaG2422, undG2532 DavidG1138 undG2532 G5037 SamuelG4545 undG2532 den ProphetenG4396, 33welcheG3739 durchG1223 GlaubenG4102 KönigreicheG932 bezwangenG2610, GerechtigkeitG1343 wirktenG2038, VerheißungenG1860 erlangtenG2013, der LöwenG3023 RachenG4750 verstopftenG5420, 34des FeuersG4442 KraftG1411 auslöschtenG4570, des SchwertesG3162 SchärfeG4750 entgingenG5343, ausG575 der SchwachheitG769 Kraft gewannenG1743, imG1722 KampfeG4171 starkG2478 wurdenG1096, der FremdenG245 HeerscharenG3925 zurücktriebenG2827. 35WeiberG1135 erhieltenG2983 ihreG846 TotenG3498 wiederG2983 durchG1537 AuferstehungG386; andereG243 aberG1161 wurden gefoltertG5178, da sie die BefreiungG629 nichtG3756 annahmenG4327, auf daßG2443 sie eine bessereG2909 AuferstehungG386 erlangtenG5177. 36AndereG2087 aberG1161 wurdenG2983 durch VerhöhnungG1701 undG2532 GeißelungG3148 versuchtG3984 undG2532 dazuG2089 G1161 durch BandeG1199 undG2532 GefängnisG5438. 37Sie wurden gesteinigtG3034, zersägtG4249, versuchtG3985, starbenG599 durchG1722 den TodG5408 des SchwertesG3162, gingen umherG4022 inG1722 SchafpelzenG3374, inG1722 ZiegenfellenG122 G1192, hatten MangelG5302, DrangsalG2346, UngemachG2558, 38(derenG3739 die WeltG2889 nichtG3756 wertG514 warG2258 ) irrten umherG4105 inG1722 WüstenG2047 undG2532 GebirgenG3735 undG2532 KlüftenG4693 undG2532 den HöhlenG3692 der ErdeG1093. 39UndG2532 dieseG3778 alleG3956, die durchG1223 den GlaubenG4102 ein Zeugnis erlangtenG3140, habenG2865 die VerheißungG1860 nichtG3756 empfangenG2865, 40da GottG2316 fürG4012 unsG2257 etwasG5100 BesseresG2909 vorgesehenG4265 hat, auf daß0 sie nichtG3363 ohneG5565 unsG2257 vollkommenG5048 gemacht würden.
Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary 1 Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This persuasion gives the soul to enjoy those things now; it gives them a subsistence or reality in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them. Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye. It is a full approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good. This view of faith is explained by many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honourable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings. The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see of the works of creation, were brought into being by the command of God.
4 Here follow some illustrious examples of faith from the Old Testament. Abel brought a sacrifice of atonement from the firstlings of the flock, acknowledging himself a sinner who deserved to die, and only hoping for mercy through the great Sacrifice. Cain's proud rage and enmity against the accepted worshipper of God, led to the awful effects the same principles have produced in every age; the cruel persecution, and even murder of believers. By faith Abel, being dead, yet speaketh; he left an instructive and speaking example. Enoch was translated, or removed, that he should not see death; God took him into heaven, as Christ will do the saints who shall be alive at his second coming. We cannot come to God, unless we believe that he is what he has revealed himself to be in the Scripture. Those who would find God, must seek him with all their heart. Noah's faith influenced his practice; it moved him to prepare an ark. His faith condemned the unbelief of others; and his obedience condemned their contempt and rebellion. Good examples either convert sinners or condemn them. This shows how believers, being warned of God to flee from the wrath to come, are moved with fear, take refuge in Christ, and become heirs of the righteousness of faith.
8 We are often called to leave worldly connexions, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both could and would perform it. Many, who have a part in the promises, do not soon receive the things promised. Faith can lay hold of blessings at a great distance; can make them present; can love them and rejoice in them, though strangers; as saints, whose home is heaven; as pilgrims, travelling toward their home. By faith, they overcome the terrors of death, and bid a cheerful farewell to this world, and to all the comforts and crosses of it. And those once truly and savingly called out of a sinful state, have no mind to return into it. All true believers desire the heavenly inheritance; and the stronger faith is, the more fervent those desires will be. Notwithstanding their meanness by nature, their vileness by sin, and the poverty of their outward condition, God is not ashamed to be called the God of all true believers; such is his mercy, such is his love to them. Let them never be ashamed of being called his people, nor of any of those who are truly so, how much soever despised in the world. Above all, let them take care that they are not a shame and reproach to their God. The greatest trial and act of faith upon record is, Abraham's offering up Isaac,
Gen 22:2. There, every word shows a trial. It is our duty to reason down our doubts and fears, by looking, as Abraham did, to the Almighty power of God. The best way to enjoy our comforts is, to give them up to God; he will then again give them as shall be the best for us. Let us look how far our faith has caused the like obedience, when we have been called to lesser acts of self-denial, or to make smaller sacrifices to our duty. Have we given up what was called for, fully believing that the Lord would make up all our losses, and even bless us by the most afflicting dispensations?
20 Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come. Things present are not the best things; no man knoweth love or hatred by having them or wanting them. Jacob lived by faith, and he died by faith, and in faith. Though the grace of faith is of use always through our whole lives, it is especially so when we come to die. Faith has a great work to do at last, to help the believer to die to the Lord, so as to honour him, by patience, hope, and joy. Joseph was tried by temptations to sin, by persecution for keeping his integrity; and he was tried by honours and power in the court of Pharaoh, yet his faith carried him through. It is a great mercy to be free from wicked laws and edicts; but when we are not so, we must use all lawful means for our security. In this faith of Moses' parents there was a mixture of unbelief, but God was pleased to overlook it. Faith gives strength against the sinful, slavish fear of men; it sets God before the soul, shows the vanity of the creature, and that all must give way to the will and power of God. The pleasures of sin are, and will be, but short; they must end either in speedy repentance or in speedy ruin. The pleasures of this world are for the most part the pleasures of sin; they are always so when we cannot enjoy them without deserting God and his people. Suffering is to be chosen rather than sin; there being more evil in the least sin, than there can be in the greatest suffering. God's people are, and always have been, a reproached people. Christ accounts himself reproached in their reproaches; and thus they become greater riches than the treasures of the richest empire in the world. Moses made his choice when ripe for judgment and enjoyment, able to know what he did, and why he did it. It is needful for persons to be seriously religious; to despise the world, when most capable of relishing and enjoying it. Believers may and ought to have respect to the recompence of reward. By faith we may be fully sure of God's providence, and of his gracious and powerful presence with us. Such a sight of God will enable believers to keep on to the end, whatever they may meet in the way. It is not owing to our own righteousness, or best performances, that we are saved from the wrath of God; but to the blood of Christ, and his imputed righteousness. True faith makes sin bitter to the soul, even while it receives the pardon and atonement. All our spiritual privileges on earth, should quicken us in our way to heaven. The Lord will make even Babylon fall before the faith of his people, and when he has some great thing to do for them, he raises up great and strong faith in them. A true believer is desirous, not only to be in covenant with God, but in communion with the people of God; and is willing to fare as they fare. By her works Rahab declared herself to be just. That she was not justified by her works appears plainly; because the work she did was faulty in the manner, and not perfectly good, therefore it could not be answerable to the perfect justice or righteousness of God.
32 After all our searches into the Scriptures, there is more to be learned from them. We should be pleased to think, how great the number of believers was under the Old Testament, and how strong their faith, though the objects of it were not then so fully made known as now. And we should lament that now, in gospel times, when the rule of faith is more clear and perfect, the number of believers should be so small, and their faith so weak. It is the excellence of the grace of faith, that, while it helps men to do great things, like Gideon, it keeps from high and great thoughts of themselves. Faith, like Barak's, has recourse unto God in all dangers and difficulties, and then makes grateful returns to God for all mercies and deliverances. By faith, the servants of God shall overcome even the roaring lion that goeth about seeking whom he may devour. The believer's faith endures to the end, and, in dying, gives him victory over death and all his deadly enemies, like Samson. The grace of God often fixes upon very undeserving and ill-deserving persons, to do great things for them and by them. But the grace of faith, wherever it is, will put men upon acknowledging God in all their ways, as Jephthah. It will make men bold and courageous in a good cause. Few ever met with greater trials, few ever showed more lively faith, than David, and he has left a testimony as to the trials and acts of faith, in the book of Psalms, which has been, and ever will be, of great value to the people of God. Those are likely to grow up to be distinguished for faith, who begin betimes, like Samuel, to exercise it. And faith will enable a man to serve God and his generation, in whatever way he may be employed. The interests and powers of kings and kingdoms, are often opposed to God and his people; but God can easily subdue all that set themselves against him. It is a greater honour and happiness to work righteousness than to work miracles. By faith we have comfort of the promises; and by faith we are prepared to wait for the promises, and in due time to receive them. And though we do not hope to have our dead relatives or friends restored to life in this world, yet faith will support under the loss of them, and direct to the hope of a better resurrection. Shall we be most amazed at the wickedness of human nature, that it is capable of such awful cruelties to fellow-creatures, or at the excellence of Divine grace, that is able to bear up the faithful under such cruelties, and to carry them safely through all? What a difference between God's judgement of a saint, and man's judgment! The world is not worthy of those scorned, persecuted saints, whom their persecutors reckon unworthy to live. They are not worthy of their company, example, counsel, or other benefits. For they know not what a saint is, nor the worth of a saint, nor how to use him; they hate, and drive such away, as they do the offer of Christ and his grace.
39 The world considers that the righteous are not worthy to live in the world, and God declares the world is not worthy of them. Though the righteous and the worldlings widely differ in their judgment, they agree in this, it is not fit that good men should have their rest in this world. Therefore God receives them out of it. The apostle tells the Hebrews, that God had provided some better things for them, therefore they might be sure that he expected as good things from them. As our advantages, with the better things God has provided for us, are so much beyond theirs, so should our obedience of faith, patience of hope, and labour of love, be greater. And unless we get true faith as these believers had, they will rise up to condemn us at the last day. Let us then pray continually for the increase of our faith, that we may follow these bright examples, and be, with them, at length made perfect in holiness and happiness, and shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father for evermore.
