Hebrews 11:10 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

For he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

BSB

For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

KJV

For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

ASV

for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

BBE

For he was looking for the strong town, whose builder and maker is God.

Original Greek

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ἐξεδέχετο exedecheto He was awaiting G1551 γὰρ gar for G1063 τὴν tēn the G3588 τοὺς tous (the) G3588 θεμελίους themelious foundations G2310 ἔχουσαν echousan having G2192 πόλιν polin city G4172 ἧς hēs of which G3739 τεχνίτης technitēs [the] architect G5079 καὶ kai and G2532 δημιουργὸς dēmiourgos builder [is] G1217 ὁ ho (the) G3588 θεός.¶ theos God G2316

The early church

"For they looked" (he says) "for the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Seest thou that they received them in this sense, in their already accepting them and being confident respecting them. If then to be confident is to receive, it is in your power also to receive. For these, although they enjoyed not those blessings, yet still saw them by their longing desire. Why now do these things happen? That we might be put to shame, in that they indeed, when things on earth were promised them, regarded them not, but sought the future "city": whereas God again and again speaks to us of the city which is above, and yet we seek that which is here. He said to them, I will give you the things of the present world. But when He saw, or rather, when they showed themselves worthy of greater things, then He no longer suffers them to receive these, but those greater ones; wishing to show us that they are worthy of greater things, being unwilling to be bound to these. As if one should promise playthings to an intelligent child, not that he might receive them, but by way of exhibiting his philosophy, when he asks for things more important. For this is to show, that they held off from the land with so great earnestness, that they did not even accept what was given. Wherefore their posterity receive it on this account, for themselves were worthy of the land. What is, "the city which hath foundations"? For are not these which are visible "foundations"? In comparison of the other, they are not. "Whose Builder and Maker is God." O What an encomium on that city!

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Hebrews

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 8–19

We are often called to leave worldly connexions, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both could and would perform it. Many, who have a part in the promises, do not soon receive the things promised. Faith can lay hold of blessings at a great distance; can make them present; can love them and rejoice in them, though strangers; as saints, whose home is heaven; as pilgrims, travelling toward their home. By faith, they overcome the terrors of death, and bid a cheerful farewell to this world, and to all the comforts and crosses of it. And those once truly and savingly called out of a sinful state, have no mind to return into it. All true believers desire the heavenly inheritance; and the stronger faith is, the more fervent those desires will be. Notwithstanding their meanness by nature, their vileness by sin, and the poverty of their outward condition, God is not ashamed to be called the God of all true believers; such is his mercy, such is his love to them. Let them never be ashamed of being called his people, nor of any of those who are truly so, how much soever despised in the world. Above all, let them take care that they are not a shame and reproach to their God. The greatest trial and act of faith upon record is, Abraham's offering up Isaac, Ge 22:2. There, every word shows a trial. It is our duty to reason down our doubts and fears, by looking, as Abraham did, to the Almighty power of God. The best way to enjoy our comforts is, to give them up to God; he will then again give them as shall be the best for us. Let us look how far our faith has caused the like obedience, when we have been called to lesser acts of self-denial, or to make smaller sacrifices to our duty. Have we given up what was called for, fully believing that the Lord would make up all our losses, and even bless us by the most afflicting dispensations?

Read Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11 →

Cross-references

10

Topics

Heaven Immortality Cities Builder