Hebrews 11:39 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Having obtained a good report - `borne witness of.' Though they were so, yet they "received not the promise" - i:e., the consummation of "salvation" promised at Christ's coming again (Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 9:28): 'the eternal inheritance.' Abraham obtained the thing promised (Hebrews 6:15) in part-namely, blessedness in soul after death by faith in Christ about to come. 'It is probable that some accumulation of blessedness was added to holy souls when Christ came and fulfilled all things: as at His burial many rose from the dead, who doubtless ascended to heaven with Him' (Flacius in Bengel) (note, Ephesians 4:8). The perfecting of believers in title and as to conscience took place, once for all, at Christ's death, through His being made thereby perfect as Saviour. Their perfecting in soul ever since has taken place at their death. The final perfecting will not take place until Christ's coming.

Hebrews 11:39

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: