Matthew Henry Commentary Hebrews 11:32-38

"And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth." — Hebrews 11:32-38 (ASV)

After all our searches into the Scriptures, there is more to be learned from them. We should be pleased to think how great the number of believers was under the Old Testament, and how strong their faith was, even though its objects were not then as fully made known as they are now. And we should lament that now, in gospel times, when the rule of faith is clearer and more perfect, the number of believers is so small, and their faith so weak.

It is the excellence of the grace of faith that, while it helps people to do great things, like Gideon, it keeps them from having high and great thoughts of themselves. Faith, like Barak's, turns to God in all dangers and difficulties, and then offers grateful returns to God for all mercies and deliverances. By faith, the servants of God will overcome even the roaring lion that goeth about seeking whom he may devour.

The believer's faith endures to the end and, in dying, gives the believer victory over death and all his deadly enemies, like Samson. The grace of God is often bestowed upon very undeserving and ill-deserving people, to do great things for them and through them. But the grace of faith, wherever it is, will lead people to acknowledge God in all their ways, as Jephthah did. It will make people bold and courageous in a good cause.

Few ever faced greater trials, or showed more vibrant faith, than David; and he has left a testimony to the trials and acts of faith in the book of Psalms, which has been, and always will be, of great value to the people of God. Those who begin early to exercise their faith, like Samuel, are likely to grow up to be distinguished for it. And faith will enable a person to serve God and their generation, in whatever way they may be employed.

The interests and powers of kings and kingdoms are often opposed to God and his people; but God can easily subdue all who set themselves against him. It is a greater honor and happiness to work righteousness than to work miracles. By faith we have comfort from the promises; and by faith we are prepared to wait for the promises and, in due time, receive them. And though we do not hope to have our dead relatives or friends restored to life in this world, yet faith will support us in their loss and direct us to the hope of a better resurrection.

Should we be more amazed at the wickedness of human nature, that it is capable of such awful cruelties to fellow creatures, or at the excellence of Divine grace, that it is able to sustain the faithful under such cruelties and carry them safely through it all? What a difference between God's judgment of a saint and human judgment! The world is not worthy of those scorned, persecuted saints, whom their persecutors consider unworthy to live.

They are not worthy of their company, example, counsel, or other benefits. For they do not know what a saint is, nor the worth of a saint, nor how to rightly relate to one. They hate and drive such people away, just as they reject the offer of Christ and his grace (Hebrews 11:39).