Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 11:4

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh." — Hebrews 11:4 (ASV)

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.

It was the sacrifice of the believing Abel that was well pleasing in God's sight; and though his brother Cain, out of jealousy and malice, slew him, his good reputation continues even to this day.

That is the best way of living which enables a man to go on speaking for God even after he is dead.

By faith Abel offered to 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 speaks.

He spoke by faith when he lived. Faith makes him speak now that he is dead. What wonders faith can work! The first saint who entered heaven entered there, it is certain, by faith. It was faith that enabled him to present an acceptable sacrifice, and it was faith that presented him to heaven. If the first who entered heaven entered there by faith, rest assured that will be true to the last; and none will enter there but those who believe.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,

He was a better man than Cain, and his offering was a better offering than Cain's was; but fundamentally, this was the difference between the two brothers, Abel had faith, and Cain had none. It was "by faith" that Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain presented.

By which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

What wondrous faith this is! Here is a dead man speaking. Here is a man who is slain by his brother; yet the one who is killed receives the approbation of God.

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.

All down the ages, the faith of Abel has continued bearing witness to God. Oh, that we might have Abel's faith, and offer to God the Lamb—even Christ Jesus—that we also may be accepted for His sake!

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 first of the long line of martyrs triumphed by faith; and if you are to be strong to bear witness for God, you must be made strong by the same power which worked so effectively in Abel. If, like his, your life is to be a speaking life, — a life which shall speak even out of the grave — its voice must be the voice of faith.

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 (Hebrews 11:4).

Paul begins his list of heroes of faith with Abel; and you will notice that faith works differently in each one of these mighty men.

It is the same living principle in all of them; but they are different men, and their faith is seen in very different circumstances. Faith is able to work in all manner of ways; it is good at everything. There is nothing God calls us to do that faith cannot enable us to accomplish.

In Abel's case, we see that faith excels in worship. Faith brings a right sacrifice; brings it in the right way; and speaks even after she is dead, for the blood of Abel cried out of the ground.

Oh, that all of us might so live that, even out of our graves, there might come a voice speaking for God!

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.

Faith teaches us how to worship God rightly. Faith brings the appointed sacrifice, which is therefore accepted.

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.

There is no worshipping God correctly, except by faith. The most gorgeous ceremonies are as nothing in his sight; it is the faith of the heart which he accepts. Next we read of the reward of faith.