Hebrews 11:6

Context

Chapter 11 of Hebrews defines faith (11:1) and then presents a series of examples drawn from Old Testament figures. The author of Hebrews is not identified in the text, and the book is generally read as a letter of exhortation addressed to a Christian community that was finding it difficult to remain faithful. Verse 6 interprets the account of Enoch in the preceding verse. Genesis 5:24 records that Enoch "walked with God," and the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) is known to render this phrase as "pleased God." The author of Hebrews takes up this expression and concludes that Enoch, having pleased God, must have had faith, since without faith it is impossible to please God.

Interpretation

The verse names two things that a person who comes to God must believe: that God "is," and that God "is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (KJV). Many interpreters understand the first as belief in God's existence and the second as trust in God's character and in a relationship with him.

• Reformed reading: Chapter 16 of the Westminster Confession of Faith states that the good works of the unregenerate cannot please God, because they do not proceed from a heart purified by faith, and it cites this verse among its proof texts. In this tradition, faith itself is regarded as a gift from God.
• Wesleyan reading: John Wesley, in his sermon "On Faith," which takes this verse as its text, is said to have explained that faith has several degrees. The Wesleyan tradition understands the response of the person who "seeks" God as made possible by prevenient grace (the grace God gives beforehand so that people are able to respond in faith).
• The meaning of "reward": The Greek word translated "rewarder" means "one who pays a reward" and occurs only here in the New Testament. Many interpreters understand this reward as fellowship with God or as the promised future described in the same chapter, such as "a better country" (11:16).

Debates and Issues

• The minimum content of faith: The verse makes no explicit mention of Christ. For this reason, some theologians who hold to inclusivism (the view that those who have not heard the gospel may still share in the salvation won by Christ) cite this verse in support of their position. In response, many evangelical theologians argue that the verse cannot be read in isolation, since Hebrews as a whole speaks of approaching God through Christ (10:19-22).
• Reading the verse as a promise of material reward: Some sermons cite "rewarder" as a promise of material blessing. Critics of prosperity theology contend that this use takes the verse out of context. They point out that the same chapter also speaks of those who died without having received the promises (11:13) and of people of faith who suffered (11:35-38).

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, Hebrews 11 is commonly called "the faith chapter." It is frequently treated in sermons and Bible studies on the subject of faith, and verse 6 is among its most often quoted verses.

Related Passages

• Hebrews 11:1
• Genesis 5:24
• Hebrews 11:13-16
• Hebrews 10:38
• Romans 14:23