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1
The Heart of Worship is Faith
Commentators unanimously agree that the crucial difference between Abel's and Cain's offerings was faith. It wasn't that an animal sacrifice was inherently better than a fruit offering, but that Abel's was presented with a heart of faith. As one scholar puts it, 'The most gorgeous ceremonies are as nothing in his sight; it is the faith of the heart which he accepts.' This establishes that the foundation of all acceptable worship is genuine faith in God.
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Hebrews
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Commentaries
15
Albert Barnes
On Hebrews 11:4
18th Century
Theologian
By faith Abel offered. (). In the account in Genesis of the offering made by Abel, there is no mention of faith—as is true also indeed of …
AT Robertson
On Hebrews 11:4
A more excellent sacrifice (πλειονα θυσιαν). Literally, "more sacrifice" (comparative of πολυς, much). For this rather free use of…
Charles Ellicott
On Hebrews 11:4
19th Century
Bishop
A more excellent.—The Greek literally means that Abel’s sacrifice was “more than” Cain’s (compare Hebrews 3:3, “more glory”; [Refe…
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Charles Spurgeon
On Hebrews 11:4
19th Century
Preacher
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 of…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Hebrews 11:4
The first example of faith is Abel, who brought God a more acceptable sacrifice than did his brother Cain (Genesis 4:3–7). Scripture ne…
John Calvin
On Hebrews 11:4
16th Century
Theologian
By faith Abel offered, etc. The Apostle’s object in this chapter is to show that however excellent the works of the saints were, it was fr…
John Gill
On Hebrews 11:4
17th Century
Pastor
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice
than Cain
The apostle proceed…
Matthew Henry
On Hebrews 11:4–7
17th Century
Minister
Here are some illustrious examples of faith from the Old Testament. Abel brought a sacrifice of atonement from the firstlings of the flock, acknowl…