Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 11:1-2

"Now faith is assurance of [things] hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. For therein the elders had witness borne to them." — Hebrews 11:1-2 (ASV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. (Hebrews 11:1–2)

Those of old, who were men of noble character, won that character by their faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.

"The elders"—that is, those who lived in the ancient times—accomplished wondrous works by faith, and the "report" of them still encourages others to try to do likewise.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elder obtained a good report.

So it was written long ago that believers "obtained a good report." This second verse shows that they obtained it by their faith. The best part of the report about them is that they believed their God and believed all that was revealed to them by his Word and his Spirit.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.

The names of those who lived in ancient times are handed down with commendation because of their faith. If they had had no faith, we should have had no report of them.