Verse
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. – Hebrews 11:6
Meaning of Hebrews 11:6
The verse Hebrews 11:6 ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him’ means faith plays a central role in one’s relationship with God. The verse means that a Christian must please God, approach Him with genuine belief and trust. In other words, faith is the foundation of the Christian life. It requires a person to wholeheartedly acknowledge God’s reality and His willingness to reward those who earnestly seek Him. The verse encourages believers to approach God with confidence, trusting in His goodness and responding diligently to seek Him in prayer, study, and obedience. It highlights that faith is not just a passive belief but an active pursuit of God’s presence and will. Ultimately, a sincere and unwavering faith is the key to a pleasing and fulfilling relationship with God.
Interpretations of Hebrews 11:6
The verse Hebrews 11:6 has multiple insights that emphasize the centrality of faith in the Christian life and meaningful relationship with God. A few interpretations are given below.
Interpretation #1 Faith as a prerequisite for pleasing God
This interpretation of verse Hebrews 11:6 highlights the essential role of faith in pleasing God. Here, the reader understands that a genuine connection with God requires a steadfast belief, without doubt or disbelief. So, by embracing faith, we recognize His existence, power, and authority, willingly surrendering to His divine plan. He or she also highlights the pivotal nature of faith in establishing a meaningful and intimate relationship with God. The relationship with God emphasizes the importance of trusting in His goodness and acknowledging His sovereignty, paving the way for a life characterized by obedience and devotion. Through unwavering faith, believers open themselves to experience the depth of God’s love and blessings as we walk hand in hand with Him, assured of His guidance and grace in every step of our journey.
Interpretation #2 Faith as a source of motivation
According to this version, the reader believes that the verse is a call to action, urging believers to seek God diligently. The verse ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him’ presents faith as a potent motivator, inspiring enthusiasm, and persistence in a believer’s pursuit of Jesus. Embracing the belief that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him fuels our eagerness to draw near through prayer, worship, and obedience. He or she also understands that faith is the driving force that propels Christians forward in our spiritual journey. Trusting in God’s promises and goodness empowers the followers to overcome challenges and remain steadfast in their devotion. So Christians must actively seek God’s presence to live purposefully and align their lives with God’s will, knowing that their efforts to seek Him do not go unrewarded.
Interpretation #3 The nature of God as a rewarder
In this version, the reader understand that God loves to give recompense and looks at Him as a benevolent rewarder. He or she also believes that God’s loving and gracious disposition allows Him to generously bless people who earnestly seek Him. Hence, through the verse ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him’ God’s character is unveiled as the One who delights in responding to sincere efforts of Christians. His desire to reward those who diligently pursue Him demonstrates His deep affection for His creation. This understanding of God’s nature fosters a sense of hope and encouragement among believers. It also signifies the significance of developing an authentic relationship with God, as He promises to meet those who seek Him with open arms and bless the believers for their faith. Thus creating a profound bond of love and trust between the Creator and His followers.
Interpretation #4 Faith as a transformative force
In this interpretation, the reader understands that faith is a powerful catalyst for personal transformation. The churches also teach the verse ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him’ means instead of a mere belief, faith acts as a dynamic force that can revolutionize our lives. He or she believes that faith becomes the driving force behind righteous and purposeful living By placing our trust in God and His promises. It profoundly influences a Christian’s choices, behavior, and outlook, directing them to walk in harmony with God’s divine plan. Through faith, a Christian can find inspiration to pursue a life aligned with God’s will wholeheartedly. As he or she cultivate and exercise, this transformative faith to experience the abundant blessings that flow from God’s presence. Thus, continually seek God leads to a deepening relationship with Him and a growing understanding of His love and grace.
Historical background of Hebrews 11:6
The book of Hebrews was written sometime between 60 A.D and 90 A.D. However, the exact date and place of its writing are not definitively known. It was written for Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and struggling with questions about their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. The book’s purpose is to encourage and strengthen their faith, emphasizing the superiority of Christ and the new covenant compared to the old covenant under the Mosaic Law. The book of Hebrews is a letter or epistle written to Jewish Christians. Though traditionally attributed to Paul, the actual author’s identity remains a topic of debate among scholars. Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the ‘Faith Chapter’ as it lists various examples of faith demonstrated by biblical figures throughout history. Verse 6 is a key verse within this chapter, as it highlights the importance of faith in pleasing God. It also emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to make God happy. Hence, a Christian but believe in God’s existence so that they may get rewards or blessings from God.
Literary Devices of Hebrews 11:6
The verse Hebrews 11:6 has significant literary devices that are used to convey the message of faith. A few devices used in Hebrews 11:6 are given below.
Parallelism – The phrase from verse Hebrews 11:6 ‘he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him’ uses a parallel structure to emphasize the two essential elements of faith required to approach God that are belief in His existence and belief in His rewarding nature.
Repetition – There is a repetition of the phrase ‘he is’ in the verse to emphasize the certainty and reality of God’s existence and reinforces the idea that faith in God.
Contrast – Hebrews 11:6 also contrasts faith with doubt or disbelief. For example, ‘without faith it is impossible to please him’ highlights the significance of faith as a major requirement for a genuine relationship with God.
Theme – The major themes of verse Hebrews 11:6 are confidence, obedience, consistency, and resilience.
Alliteration – The verse has a consonant sound in repetition at the beginning of the word and few are in quick succession. For example, the sound of /h/ and the sound of /th/ in ‘for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him’.
Consonance – The verse also has a repeated consonant sound, and few are in quick succession. For example, the sound of /t/, the sound of /p/, the sound of /m/, the sound of /s/, the sound of /r/ in ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him’.
Assonance – The verse also has good use of repeated vowels sounds and few are in quick succession. For example, the sound of /i/ and the sound of /ee/ in ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him’.