By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.

By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That’s what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice.

5-6 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. “They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.” We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken “he pleased God.” It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

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By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command,(A) so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended(B) as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings.(C) And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.(D)

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”[a](E) For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:5 Gen. 5:24