Hebrews 11:7 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Warned of God, х chreematistheis (G5537)] (Hebrews 8:5) - 'admonished of God.' Moved with fear - not slavish fear, but, as in Hebrews 5:7 [eulabetheis], reverential fear: opposed to the world's sneering disbelief of the revelation, and self-deceiving security. Join "by faith" with "prepared an ark" (1 Peter 3:20).

By the which - faith.

Condemned the world - for since he believed and was saved, so might they: their condemnation by God is by his case shown to be just.

Righteousness which is by х kata (G2596): according to] faith. A Pauline thought. Noah is first called "righteous" in Genesis 6:9. Christ calls Abel so, Matthew 23:35. Compare Ezekiel 14:14; Ezekiel 14:20; 2 Peter 2:5, "a preacher of righteousness." Paul makes faith the principle and ground of his righteousness.

Heir - the privilege of sonship, which flows from faith (Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; Galatians 4:7).

Hebrews 11:7

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.