Hebrews 11:40

Hebrews 11:40 is part of a passage often referred to as the “Hall of Faith” or “Faith Hall of Fame.” In this chapter, the author of Hebrews emphasises the importance of faith and recounts numerous examples of individuals in the Old Testament who demonstrated remarkable faith in God.

In verse 40, the author makes a statement that reveals an important aspect of God’s plan and the progression of faith throughout history. The verse says, “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Let’s break it down:

“God having provided some better thing for us”: This part acknowledges that God has made provisions for believers in the present time. The author refers to the “better thing” that God has provided. This better thing can be understood as the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, which offers salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.

“That they without us should not be made perfect”: This statement implies that the Old Testament saints mentioned in Hebrews 11, who lived before the time of Christ, were not able to experience the fullness of God’s plan without the involvement of believers who would come after them. The idea is that their faith and its fulfilment find completion in the era of the New Testament and the work of Christ. In other words, they were looking forward to something greater that would be fulfilled in the future through the coming of Jesus and the establishment of the new covenant.

This verse highlights the interconnectedness and continuity of faith throughout history. It suggests that the faith of those who lived in the past, as mentioned in Hebrews 11, was part of God’s unfolding plan and was connected to the faith of believers in the present and future.

Overall, Hebrews 11:40 encourages readers to recognise the importance of their own faith within the broader context of God’s redemptive plan. It reminds believers that they are part of a greater story of faith that began long ago and continues to this day. It also emphasises the significance of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, which brings fulfilment and completion to the faith of the Old Testament saints.