Hebrews 11:39 – “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse is summing up the stories of all the faithful men and women described in Hebrews 11—people who trusted God, obeyed Him, endured suffering, and walked by faith. Even though they were commended, meaning they were approved by God and praised for their faith, they did not receive the full promise during their lifetimes.
They believed in what God had said, but they didn’t see the complete fulfillment. They saw parts of it—victories, blessings, glimpses of hope—but the ultimate promise of salvation and the coming of the Messiah had not yet arrived.
This verse shows that their faith was real, even though the results weren’t fully seen in their day. They believed in the bigger story God was writing, one that would continue beyond their lives.
Historical Context
The faithful people listed in Hebrews 11 lived before the coming of Jesus. They were part of the Old Testament era. God gave them promises—like a land, a people, a blessing to the nations—and many of those promises were only partially fulfilled in their time.
- Abraham never saw all his descendants become a great nation (Genesis 12).
- Moses didn’t enter the Promised Land.
- David was promised a kingdom that would last forever, but he died before seeing the Messiah.
They all died still waiting for something greater—the arrival of the Savior and the full redemption that only Jesus would bring.
The writer of Hebrews is pointing out that even though they didn’t get to see the final result, their faith was genuine, and God honored them for it.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches us that faith is not just about results—it’s about trust. God wants us to believe Him even when we don’t see the outcome right away.
It also shows that God’s promises are bigger than our lifetimes. Sometimes what God is doing through us won’t be fully revealed until later—or even until eternity.
This verse also reinforces the idea that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. The faithful people of old were looking forward to something we now look back on: Jesus Christ.
God’s plan stretches across generations, and faith means trusting Him even when we only see a small part of that plan.
Literary Analysis
The phrase “commended for their faith” echoes earlier in the chapter (Hebrews 11:2), creating a bookend. It ties together all the stories, showing that even though each person lived in a different time and situation, they were united by the same kind of trust in God.
The contrast in the sentence is powerful: they were commended, but they did not receive. This shows that approval from God doesn’t always mean you get everything now. It points to a deeper kind of reward—one that lies ahead.
This sets up the final verse (Hebrews 11:40), which explains how the full promise comes together in Christ.
Biblical Cross-References
- Hebrews 11:13 – “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised…”
- Hebrews 1:1-2 – God spoke through the prophets, but now has spoken through His Son.
- John 8:56 – Jesus says Abraham rejoiced to see His day.
- 1 Peter 1:10-12 – Prophets longed to see the things now revealed in Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
- Romans 4:20-21 – Abraham was fully convinced God would do what He had promised.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse speaks to anyone who feels like they’re waiting on God. Maybe you’re praying for something, following God in obedience, but haven’t seen the outcome yet. This verse says that you’re in good company.
It encourages us not to base our faith on what we can see in the moment. Faith means trusting God’s promise, even if we don’t see the fulfillment right away—or even in this life.
It also calls us to see our lives as part of a bigger story. Just as the Old Testament believers looked forward to Christ, we now live in light of His coming and await His return. We are part of a continuing line of faithful people who trust God with the unseen.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen in how He commends those who trust Him, even when they don’t see the whole picture. He doesn’t measure our worth by our results—He values our trust.
This verse shows a God who is patient, purposeful, and faithful over the long story of redemption. His love is not short-sighted. He honors the faith of people whose lives didn’t end in triumph, but in trust.
Even when His people waited in longing, God was preparing something better than they could imagine.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the fulfillment of what all these faithful people were waiting for. He is the promised Savior, the one through whom God’s plan was completed.
They didn’t live to see Jesus come—but they believed God would send Him. Now, we live on the other side of that promise, seeing clearly what they only saw in shadows.
Jesus is the reason their faith—and ours—makes sense. Through Him, the promises of God find their “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). And through Him, all those who trust in God—past, present, and future—are united in one great family of faith.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does it encourage you to know that God commends faith even when we don’t see results right away?
- Are there promises from God you’re still waiting to see fulfilled? How can this verse help you wait with hope?
- In what ways does this verse challenge the way we often define “success” in the Christian life?
- How can the faith of those who came before us inspire us to keep trusting God today?
- What does it mean for you personally to be part of God’s bigger story through Christ?