Keraia
Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11:4

The Faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah · Hebrews 11:4–7
Read Hebrews 11

Translations

Modern
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
Traditional
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Literal
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he was testified to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts; and through it, having died, he still speaks.
Latin
Fide plurimam hostiam Abel, quam Cain, obtulit Deo, per quam testimonium consecutus est esse justus, testimonium perhibente muneribus ejus Deo, et per illam defunctus adhuc loquitur.

Original

Greek
English
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Notes

Hebrews 11:4

  • Abel: See Genesis 4:3–5.

  • By faith he was commended as righteous: Compare with Hebrews 10:38.

  • he still speaks: The story of his faith challenges us, and his blood testifies to his righteousness and the injustice of his murder (see 12:24).

Hebrews 11:1–40

Chapter 11 gives a long list of people who trusted God. This shows clearly that living by faith is the only true way to follow God. The writer keeps repeating the words “by faith” to make this message clear. Each example follows the same pattern:

  • (a) the phrase by faith,

  • (b) the person's name,

  • (c) the event or action showing faith, and

  • (d) the result.

Parallels

Genesis 4–9

People

Abel: Adam and Eve's second son, killed by Cain Cain: Adam and Eve's firstborn son, killed his brother Abel

Glossary

Abel (Person) Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Cain (Person) Descent into Hell Hebrews, Letter to the Letter to the Romans Obedience Persecution Perseverance

Topics

Abel and Cain Abel: Son of Adam: Death of Atonement: Made by Jesus: Typified Cain: Son of Adam: Jealousy and Crime of Decision: Abel Faith: Abel Faith: General Scriptures Concerning Influence: Good Justification: General Scriptures Concerning Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Abel Righteousness: Abel Sacrifices were Accepted when offered in Sincerity and Faith Sacrifices were offered in Faith of a Coming Saviour Sacrifices: Divine Institution of The Atonement: Typified