Hebrews 11:2 Meaning and Explanation
“For by it the elders obtained a good report.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →It was by faith that the faithful of old won God's approval and were commended in Scripture.
What Does Hebrews 11:2 Mean?
The writer turns from defining faith to its track record. The elders are the believing ancestors whose stories fill the Hebrew Scriptures, and the chapter is about to walk through them one by one.
What set these men and women apart was not achievement but trust, and by that trust they received God's commendation. Their good report is written into the sacred record so that later believers might take heart. The same faith that won their approval is offered to us, and the same God still honors those who take Him at His word.
Hebrews 11:2 in the Original Language
martureo (μαρτυρέω), 'obtained a good report' -- to be witnessed to, to receive testimony or commendation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hebrews 11:2
What does Hebrews 11:2 mean?
It was by faith that the faithful of old won God's approval and were commended in Scripture.