Hebrews 11:13 – “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse brings together the stories of people like Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob. It says something striking about them: they lived by faith all the way to the end of their lives, even though they didn’t see the full promises come true during their lifetime. They had been promised land, a nation, and blessing—but most of those promises weren’t fulfilled until long after they died.
Still, they didn’t give up. They kept trusting God. They could “see” the promises in the distance, like someone spotting the shoreline from far across the sea. And even though they didn’t fully possess the promises, they welcomed them. They believed that what God had said was worth waiting for.
They also recognized something important: this world wasn’t their true home. They lived like strangers and travelers—people just passing through. That’s a sign of real faith: when someone trusts that there’s something better ahead, even if they never fully see it here.
Historical Context
The people mentioned in Hebrews 11 lived thousands of years before the coming of Jesus. They were part of the early story of God’s promises. Abraham was promised a great nation and a land. Isaac and Jacob inherited those promises, but none of them saw the final result.
For the original readers of Hebrews—many of whom were being persecuted or tempted to give up—this verse would have been a great comfort. It reminded them that even the “heroes” of faith had to wait. And that waiting wasn’t failure. It was faith.
They weren’t alone in feeling like outsiders. Abraham lived in tents, Sarah waited for a child, and Jacob wandered. Their lives were hard, but they held on to hope. That’s the example set for anyone who wants to walk with God.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches that faith is not just about getting what we want in this life. True faith looks beyond this life to God’s greater promises. Sometimes, God fulfills His promises in ways we don’t expect—or not in our lifetime. That doesn’t make the promises any less real. It means we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.
It also reminds us that we’re not meant to find our ultimate satisfaction here on earth. Faith shifts our focus from temporary comfort to eternal hope. God’s promises are sure, but their full fulfillment often lies ahead—in eternity.
This verse also corrects the idea that faith always leads to immediate blessings. Sometimes faith means waiting, longing, and even dying without seeing the full picture. But those who trust God know that He is faithful, and nothing is wasted.
Literary Analysis
The wording of this verse is deeply reflective. It pauses the momentum of the faith stories to point out a larger truth: they all died in faith. The phrase “welcomed them from a distance” gives a picture of people reaching out with hope, like someone waving at a loved one they can’t yet embrace.
The terms “foreigners and strangers” are powerful. They express the idea of living in a place but not fully belonging. That was true of Abraham and his family, and it’s true for believers today. This language gives the verse a tone of both longing and assurance. It invites readers to think about where their true home really is.
Biblical Cross-References
- Genesis 23:4 – Abraham says, “I am a foreigner and stranger among you.”
- Philippians 3:20 – “Our citizenship is in heaven.”
- 1 Peter 2:11 – “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles…”
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
- John 14:2-3 – Jesus promises a place in His Father’s house.
- Romans 8:24-25 – “Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse speaks to everyone who has ever waited on God or wondered why life feels out of place. It tells us that we’re not alone in feeling that tension. This world isn’t our forever home. We’re not supposed to feel fully settled here.
It also helps us understand that faith isn’t always about seeing results now. Faith means trusting God’s promises, even when we don’t see them fulfilled yet. Like Abraham and Sarah, we live with eyes fixed on something greater—God’s eternal kingdom.
For today’s Christian, this verse is a call to live with purpose and perspective. We can endure difficulties because we know this life is not the end of the story. And even if we don’t see all of God’s promises fulfilled in our lifetime, we can still die in faith, knowing we’re part of His plan.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse shows that God values and honors faith that waits. He’s not quick to forget the trust of His people. Even when He asks us to wait or carry burdens for a long time, He never stops working behind the scenes. His love isn’t proven by how fast He answers, but by how sure His promises are.
God is patient and kind. He invites us to see the big picture—to realize that this life is not all there is. His love prepares a place for us, a lasting home with Him. He’s not just a God of today—He’s the God of forever.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises that Abraham and the others were waiting for. They didn’t know His name, but they trusted that God would send someone to bring salvation and blessing. Jesus is that someone.
He also lived as a stranger in this world. He had no permanent home (Matthew 8:20) and was rejected by many. But He was faithful to the end, and through His death and resurrection, He opened the door to the eternal city—the one Abraham longed for.
Now, through Jesus, we can live by faith just like they did. We don’t see everything yet, but we trust in Him, knowing He will come again and bring all of God’s promises to completion.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- In what areas of life are you waiting on God’s promises to be fulfilled?
- How does this verse help you deal with the feeling of being “out of place” in the world?
- What are some ways you can live more like a “foreigner” here, with your heart set on heaven?
- How does Jesus’ life and promise of eternal life give you strength to keep going in faith?
- What would it look like for you to finish your life “still living by faith,” like the people in this verse?