OLBGrk;
That ye be not slothful: if you will be diligent, away with sloth: you are inclined to it, Hebrews 5:11, and though you be quick in affection, yet slow in understanding the mysteries of God; and though you have laboured, yet not with that intense labour to which he here presseth them, even to an utter abolition of all the degrees of sloth. But followers of them; mimhtai, strictly, imitators, in diligence and pains-taking, of the believers who have performed this duty before you. Who through faith and patience inherit the promises: in their graces imitate them, as in faith, by which they rested on, as credited, God's promises revealed to them of things invisible, excellent, and distant, and which by no creature power but only God's could be attained, Hebrews 11:1,9,10,16 13:7. In patience, because the things promised are future, and at a great distance from them, waiting for them, suffering many evils from many, passing through fire and water, Isaiah 43:2, and staying God's leisure to obtain them, Hebrews 10:36, Hebrews 12:1 Romans 15:4,5 Jas 1:3. Those they were to imitate, were heirs of blessed promises, Hebrews 6:14, of spiritual blessings in Christ, the blessed Seed, in whom themselves and all nations were to be blessed, Genesis 22:18. It may be queried: How did Abraham inherit the promises, when he did not receive them, as is testified, Hebrews 11:13 ? This is certain as to the promises of spiritual saving, and universal concernment to them, as of justification, sanctification, adoption, and salvation by Jesus Christ; these they received, as is evident, Hebrews 11:10,14,16 Ro 4:8-25: such promises as were of special consideration and reserved to a set time, as the possession of Canaan, and Christ's incarnation, 1 Thessalonians 8:56. These they did not receive, though they saw them sure to their seed by faith, but for salvation, and glory, and heaven, carried in the covenant of grace, they did personally enjoy; of the others they were heirs as given by God to them.