For by it the elders obtained a good report.
the elders.
Hebrews 11:4-39 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh…
the ancients
The "ancients" refers to the Old Testament figures who lived by faith. These include Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and others mentioned later in the chapter. These individuals are examples of living by faith before the coming of Christ. Their lives are documented in the Hebrew Scriptures, providing a historical and spiritual lineage for the early Christian audience, who would have been familiar with these stories.
were commended
The ancients were "commended" for their faith, meaning they received approval or praise from God. This commendation is not based on their works or adherence to the law but on their faith, which aligns with the broader biblical theme that righteousness comes through faith. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as Romans 4:3, where Abraham's faith is credited to him as righteousness. The commendation of the ancients serves as a testament to the enduring nature of faith and its importance in the relationship between God and humanity.
The single word points back to the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1—“Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see”. The writer anchors the entire chapter on that truth. Faith, not human effort, explains every victory recounted in Scripture (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:7; John 20:29).
Here the author draws a straight line from faith to divine approval.
• Faith recognizes God’s character (Hebrews 10:38)
• Faith relies on God’s promises (Romans 1:17)
• Faith looks to Jesus as “the Author and Perfecter” (Hebrews 12:2)
• Faith receives “the outcome… the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Because faith does all of that, it is the reason—“why”—God acknowledges His people.
These are the men and women who lived before Christ yet trusted God’s word:
• Abel, Enoch, Noah (Hebrews 11:4-7)
• Abraham and Sarah (11:8-12)
• Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, and many more (11:20-32)
They span centuries but share one distinguishing mark: faith. God calls Himself “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Matthew 22:32; Exodus 3:6), underscoring the continuity of faith across generations.
To be commended means God Himself bore witness to their trust. He declared them righteous—“Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Their deeds flowed from belief, but belief came first (Psalm 106:31; Luke 1:6). God still “works in you what is pleasing in His sight” (Hebrews 13:21), so the pattern remains: faith leads to divine approval, which then produces obedient action.
Hebrews 11:2 reminds us that faith, defined in verse 1, is the very reason God approved the Old Testament saints. Their stories prove that trusting God’s unseen promises brings His commendation. That same faith, fixed on Christ today, invites the same approval and empowers a life that honors Him.
(2) For by it.--Better, For therein the elders had witness borne to them. The connection seems to be this: Faith truly accomplishes all this; for it was in the exercise of such a faith that the elders gained the witness which the Scripture bears (see Hebrews 11:4-5; Hebrews 11:39) to them and to their noble deeds. This verse, then, is added to confirm the first.Verse 2. - For in this (i.e. faith, ἐν ταύτῃ) the elders obtained a good report; literally were witnessed of; i.e. it was in respect of their faith, which inspired their deeds, that they were praised. (For a similar use of the preposition ἐν, cf. 1 Corinthians 11:22, ἐπαινέσω ἐν, τούτῳ). Thus is introduced the illustrative review of Old Testament instances, the purpose of which has been explained above. It begins from the beginning, Abel being the first example. But in the Old Testament the account of the creation precedes that first recorded instance; and, therefore, it is in the first place fittingly referred to, the existence of an unseen creative power mentally perceived beyond things visible, being the primary article - the very foundation - of all religious faith (cf. below, ver. 6).