God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
What does Hebrews 11:40 mean?
The world considers that the righteous are not worthy to live in the world, and God declares the world is not worthy of them.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside its immediate passage and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Hebrews 11:40
God having provided some better thing for us - Margin, "foreseen." That is, "God having provided, or determined on giving some better thing than any of them realized, and which we are now permitted to enjoy." That is, God gave them promises; but they were not allowed to see their fulfillment. We are permitted now to see what they referred to, and in part, at least, to witness their completion; and though the promise was made to them, the fulfillment more particularly pertains to us. That they without us should not be made perfect - That is, complete. The whole system of revelation was not complete at once, or in one generation.
Key words
- better things
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better things.
- having
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God having provided some better thing for us,.
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God having provided some better thing for us,.
Context in Hebrews 11
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Hebrews 11 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as faith, endurance, and final exhortation. Hebrews presents Jesus as the final revelation of God, the great high priest, the once-for-all sacrifice, and the mediator of the better covenant. Read this chapter with the wider themes of Christology, priesthood, and sacrifice in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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