Hebrews 11 4

Hebrews 11:4 kjv

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.

Hebrews 11:4 nkjv

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Hebrews 11:4 niv

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

Hebrews 11:4 esv

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

Hebrews 11:4 nlt

It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel's offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

Hebrews 11 verses

Hebrews 11 4 Meaning

By faith, Abel offered to God a sacrifice that was qualitatively superior to Cain's. This act of faith resulted in God attesting to Abel's righteousness, signifying divine acceptance of his person and his offering. Consequently, even though Abel is dead, his life and action of faith continue to speak a powerful and enduring testimony to the nature of genuine faith and its reception by God.

Hebrews 11 4 Context

Hebrews 11 is famously known as the "faith chapter" or "Hall of Faith," celebrating the exemplary faith of various Old Testament figures. The preceding verses (11:1-3) lay the foundational definition of faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen, and as the means through which we understand creation by God's Word. Abel is presented as the first historical figure, post-creation, whose actions perfectly illustrate this living faith. This verse transitions from a general understanding of faith to concrete examples of its transformative power and divine acceptance. The broader historical context is the Mosaic Law and the Levitical sacrificial system, to which the writer of Hebrews is making comparisons to emphasize the supremacy of Christ's sacrifice. However, even before the Law, God consistently revealed His principles of approaching Him, often involving a blood sacrifice or an offering reflective of genuine faith, which Abel understood. This sets the stage for demonstrating that salvation by grace through faith is not a new concept, but a thread woven throughout sacred history.

Hebrews 11 4 Word analysis

• By faith (Πίστει - Pístei): This instrumental dative is crucial, emphasizing faith as the means or instrument through which Abel acted. It's not just that he offered a sacrifice, but that he offered it through faith. This aligns with Heb 11:1, highlighting the inner disposition that makes the action acceptable to God.
• Abel (Ἄβελ - Ábel): The individual, one of the earliest examples from Genesis 4, chosen to highlight foundational principles of pleasing God. His story predates the Mosaic Law, emphasizing that the principle of faith precedes all covenants and laws.
• offered (προσήνεγκεν - prosēnenken): From προσφέρω (prosphero), meaning "to bring to, offer, present." It indicates a deliberate act of worship and presentation to God.
• to God (τῷ Θεῷ - tō Theō): Highlights that the sacrifice was directed towards the ultimate divine recipient, whose acceptance or rejection is paramount.
• a more excellent sacrifice (πλείονθυσίαν - pleiona thysían): Literally "a greater sacrifice." The excellence here is not merely about the type of offering (animal vs. fruit) but crucially about the spirit and faith with which it was offered. Abel’s sacrifice was more excellent because it proceeded from faith (which embraced God's preferred way of dealing with sin, possibly through shedding of blood or a "firstfruits" attitude), whereas Cain’s was devoid of it, reflecting his pride or unbelief. This hints at the understanding of atonement established even prior to the Mosaic law.
• than Cain (παρὰ Κάϊν - parà Cáïn): A direct, deliberate comparison that underscores the qualitative difference. Cain's offering, while outwardly a religious act, lacked the essential ingredient of faith, leading to its rejection.
• through which (δι’ ἧς - di’ hēs): Referring back to "faith." It was through his faith that Abel achieved the ensuing divine validation. Faith is the enabling principle for divine approval.
• he obtained witness (ἐμαρτυρήθη - emartyrēthē): Meaning "he was testified about" or "attested." It signifies divine acknowledgment and public declaration by God himself. This isn't a human opinion but a divine pronouncement, likely seen in Gen 4:4 (God having regard for Abel's offering).
• that he was righteous (εἶναι δίκαιος - eínai díkaios): The content of the divine witness. Abel was declared "righteous." This righteousness was not inherent from birth nor earned by the act of sacrifice alone, but imputed to him through his faith in God (similar to Abraham in Gen 15:6, Rom 4:3). The sacrifice was the outward expression and confirmation of his inward righteous standing by faith. This "righteousness" includes both being right with God and living a life pleasing to God.
• God testifying of his gifts (μαρτυροῦντος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπὶ τοῖς δώροις αὐτοῦ - martyroúntos tou Theoú epì toîs dórois autoû): A reinforcing clause indicating God’s direct validation. "Gifts" refers to his offerings. This divine testimony likely manifested in a visible way, perhaps by fire consuming the offering, as seen with Noah (Gen 8:20-21) and other accepted sacrifices, or through direct divine communication as implied in Gen 4:4-5 where the Lord "had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard."
• and through it (καὶ δι’ αὐτῆς - kai di’ autēs): Again refers to Abel’s faith. It reiterates that the lasting impact also flows from this foundational faith.
• he being dead still speaks (ἀποθανὼν ἔτι λαλεῖ - apothanṑn éti laleî): A profound statement. While Cain’s deed caused Abel’s blood to cry out from the ground for justice (Gen 4:10), this verse emphasizes that Abel's faith and his righteousness also "speak." This speaking is not a literal sound, but an enduring, influential testimony and lesson to all generations. It refers to the legacy and example of his life, especially his trust in God and its divine vindication, continuing to preach the necessity of faith, sincerity, and obedience. This message stands in stark contrast to the self-will and rejection of God's ways shown by Cain.

Hebrews 11 4 Bonus section

The "more excellent sacrifice" (πλείονθυσίαν) carried prophetic overtones, hinting at the later necessity of a blood atonement, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Abel's choice of offering "from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions" (Gen 4:4) reflects a deep respect and a true "firstfruits" mindset, indicative of faith that values God supremely and offers Him the very best, not just what's convenient or leftover. Furthermore, Abel serves as the archetype of the righteous sufferer or martyr whose integrity before God is vindicated, despite persecution from the unrighteous (1 Jn 3:12). This foreshadows the many faithful martyrs who would follow, testifying even in death, culminating in Jesus Christ whose blood "speaks a better word than the blood of Abel" (Heb 12:24), not calling for vengeance, but for forgiveness and salvation. The lasting impact of Abel’s faith highlights that a life lived by faith, however short, can leave an eternal legacy and profound message for humanity.

Hebrews 11 4 Commentary

Hebrews 11:4 masterfully condenses the profound theological lessons from the earliest biblical narrative of two brothers. Abel's "more excellent sacrifice" wasn't inherently superior due to the animal nature of the offering versus Cain's produce, but because it sprang from genuine faith (Πίστει - Pístei). Abel's faith demonstrated his understanding of God's expectations and his reliance on God's provision for dealing with sin, possibly acknowledging the necessity of a blood sacrifice for atonement. This contrasted sharply with Cain's offering, which lacked such faith, perhaps signifying self-righteousness or a mere performance of duty without a contrite heart. Because of Abel's faith, God provided an undeniable witness (ἐμαρτυρήθη - emartyrēthē), declaring Abel to be righteous (δίκαιος - díkaios). This righteousness was a divine imputation, a testament to God's acceptance of Abel's person before his gift, enabled solely by his faith. The culmination of this verse is the powerful declaration that Abel, though physically dead, "still speaks." His death, though a tragedy, did not silence the truth of his faithful life. Instead, his example continues to articulate the enduring truth that God honors and justifies those who approach Him in faith, and that genuine worship flows from a heart of trust and obedience, rather than mere ritual. His life, and even his blood (cf. Gen 4:10, Heb 12:24), stand as a perpetual testament to faith's power and validity before the Almighty.