Hebrews 11:6 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But without faith it is impossible to please him:— This verse is added by the apostle, to complete his reasoning in that which precedes. He had there said, that God translated Enoch without dying, on accountof his faith. The proof alleged in that verse was only this, that Moses says He pleased God: still it remained to be proved that his pleasing God was an evidence that he had faith. To prove this, the apostle here adds, that it is impossible to please him without faith. The argument now is still and convincing, and stands thus: "The scripture says, that Enoch pleased God, and that on this account God translated him: but this his pleasing God is a demonstration of his faith, since without faith he could not have pleased him; consequently, he was translated upon account of his faith." The apostle adds the next clause, For he that cometh, to prove his first position in this verse; and the strength of the argument is very obvious. The word rendered cometh, προσερχομενον, according to Raphelius, signifies, the coming to God by prayer; and it is used in ch. Hebrews 10:1; Hebrews 10:22 Hebrews 12:22-23 for approaching to God in any act of divine worship: he therefore justly observes, that it may here be taken in a larger sense, and refer to that steady course of piety and holiness, which is implied in pleasing God, or walking with him. We may just observe further, that what the apostle says in this verse illustrates the account that he gave of faith, Hebrews 11:1. The believing that God is, is a faith of something unseen, and invisible; Romans 1:20 and the believing that he will, in another world, be the Rewarder of them that diligently seek him, is a faith of something hoped for, which is yet at a distance.