Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin (continued)
CHAPTER 11
cheerfully as on a pleasant meadow. Since all these things were done by faith, we must feel convinced, that in no other way than by faith is God's goodness and bounty to be communicated to us. And that clause ought especially to be noticed by us, where it is said that they obtained the promises by faith; 238 for though God continues faithful, were we all unbelieving, yet our unbelief makes the promises void, that is, ineffectual to us.
34. Out of weakness were made strong, etc. Chrysostom refers this to the restoration of the Jews from exile, in which they were like men without hope; I do not disapprove of its applications to Hezekiah. We might at the same time extend it wider, that the Lord, by his hand, raised on high his saints, whenever they were cast down; and brought help to their weakness, so as to endue them with full strength.
Heb 11:35-40
Hebrews Chapter 11:35-40
35. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
35. Receperunt mulieres resurrectione mortuos suos; alii vero distenti fuerunt, non amplexi redemptionem, ut meliorem resurrectionem obtinerant;
36. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
36. Alii autem lubidbria et flagella experti sunt, praeterea vincula et carceres;
37. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
37. Lapidata sunt, dissecti sunt, tentati sunt, occisione gladii mortui sunt, oberrarunt in pellibus ovillis, in tergoribus caprinis, destituti, afflicti, malis affecti;
38. (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
38. Quibus mundus non erat dignus; in desertis errantes, in montibus et speluncis et cavernis terrae.
39. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
39. Et hi omnes testimonium consequuti per fidem, non consequuti sunt promissionem:
40. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
238The previous sentence, "wrought righteousness," is differently understood. Some refer it to a righteous and upright course of life, and others to the conduct of rulers and judges. The latter is the most suitable meaning here; and the words may be rendered "executed justice." Samuel was an example of this. To "obtain promises" is to receive the things promised. — Ed.