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By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.

Verse Takeaways

1

Imperfect Faith is Still Faith

Commentators note that while Sarah initially laughed in disbelief at God's promise, she ultimately overcame her doubt. Her inclusion here shows that God honors true faith, even when it's initially mixed with weakness. As John Calvin explains, her faith is commended because she did not persist in unbelief but obediently received God's word once she understood its divine source.

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Book Overview

Hebrews

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Commentaries

15

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Hebrews 11:11

18th Century

Theologian

Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed. The word "herself" here—auth—implies that there was somethin…

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Hebrews 11:11

To conceive seed (εις καταβολην σπερματος). For deposit of seed. See 4:3 for καταβολη.

Past age (παρα καιρ…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Hebrews 11:11

19th Century

Bishop

Through faith also Sara herself.—Rather, By faith Sarah herself also, or, even Sarah herself. This emphatic intr…

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Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On Hebrews 11:11–13

19th Century

Preacher

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him …

Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Hebrews 11:11

This verse presents us with a difficult problem. On the face of it, the verse in Greek ascribes to Sarah an activity possible only to males, that s…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Hebrews 11:11

16th Century

Theologian

Through faith also, Sarah herself, etc. So that women may know that this truth belongs to them as well as to men, he adduces the example o…

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John Gill

John Gill

On Hebrews 11:11

17th Century

Pastor

Through faith also Sarah herself
Some copies add "being barren"; and so read the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Hebrews 11:8–19

17th Century

Minister

We are often called to leave worldly connections, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we will obey and go forth, though not knowi…