New English Translation
Hebrews 11:40
40For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.
Hebrews 11:40 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
- New International Version (NIV)since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
- English Standard Version (ESV)since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
- New King James Version (NKJV)God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
Context of Hebrews 11:40
38(the world was not worthy of them); they wandered in deserts and mountains and caves and openings in the earth. 39And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.
Read all of Hebrews 11Hebrews 11:40 word by word
τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- having providedπροβλέπωproblepō · to foresee/planG4265
- someτιςtis · oneG5100
- betterκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
- forπερίperi · aboutG4012
- usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- withoutχωρίςchōris · withoutG5565
- shouldτελειόωteleioō · to perfectG5048
- notμήmē · notG3361
Cross-references for Hebrews 11:40
- Hebrews 7:19for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
- Hebrews 8:6But now Jesus has obtained a superior ministry, since the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted on better promises.
- Hebrews 9:23So it was necessary for the sketches of the things in heaven to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves required better sacrifices than these.
- Hebrews 12:24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does.
- Hebrews 9:8The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing.
- Hebrews 10:11And every priest stands day after day serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again – sacrifices that can never take away sins.
- Romans 3:25God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed.
- Hebrews 5:9And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
- Hebrews 12:23and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect,
- Revelation 6:11Each of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached of both their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.
Commentaries on Hebrews 11:40
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 40God having provided some better thing for us - This is the dispensation of the Gospel, with all the privileges and advantages it confers. That they without us should not be made perfect - Believers before the flood, after the flood, under the law, and since the law, make but one Church. The Gospel dispensation is the last, and the Church cannot be considered as complete till the believers under all dispensations are gathered together. As the Gospel is the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 40God having provided some better thing for us - Margin, “foreseen.” That is, “God having provided, or determined on giving some better thing than any of them realized, and which we are now permitted to enjoy.” That is, God gave them promises; but they were not allowed to see their fulfillment. We are permitted now to see what they referred to, and in part, at least, to witness their completion; and though the promise was made to them, the fulfillment more…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 39-40Verses 39-40 The world considers that the righteous are not worthy to live in the world, and God declares the world is not worthy of them. Though the righteous and the worldlings widely differ in their judgment, they agree in this, it is not fit that good men should have their rest in this world. Therefore God receives them out of it. The apostle tells the Hebrews, that God had provided some better things for them, therefore they might be sure that he…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 39-40The way to live as God’s people under the new covenant is the same way people lived under the old covenant: by trusting God’s promises and enduring difficulties in this world. commended for their faith: God recognized their faithfulness (see also Hebrews 11:2). yet they did not receive what was promised: They died before Christ's promised coming. The better promise began with Christ's sacrifice (8:3–10:18) and looks forward to the future completion of…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4040. provided--with divine forethought from eternity (compare Ge 22:8, 14). some better thing for us--(He 7:19); than they had here. They had not in this world, "apart from us" (so the Greek is for "without us," that is, they had to wait for us for), the clear revelation of the promised salvation actually accomplished, as we now have it in Christ; in their state, beyond the grave their souls also seem to have attained an increase of heavenly bliss on the…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 11:40
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries