Jeff asked,
What is the difference in Hebrews 11 when it says they all died NOT receiving the promises as opposed to verses later stating that Abraham received the promise.
Hebrews 11:13 says, “These all died in faith, not having received [mē labontes, from lambanō] the promises…”
Hebrews 11:17 says, “By faith Abraham…who had received [ho anadexamenos, from anadechomai] the promises…”
Two different Greek words are used for the verb received. One is in the active voice and one in passive. This might suggest that each occurrence of the verb is being used with a different sense.
In verse 13, the author is talking about people he just mentioned—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Sarah, and Abraham. None of them received the kingdom that was promised to them. That includes Abraham! The verb in verse 13 is in the active voice. They “did not receive it.” The fulfillment of that promise lies in the future.
In verse 17, the author is saying that God gave the promises to Abraham. The verb in verse 17 is in the passive voice. Abraham received the promises from God. That is, God communicated the promises to him.
What are the promises, plural? He was promised land, an innumerable number of descendants (starting with Isaac, whom God was asking him to sacrifice), blessing for the entire world because of him, and a coming kingdom. He did not receive any of that. That awaits the Lord’s Second Coming. “Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56).
We, too, have not yet received what is promised. See 2 Cor 5:1-8. We groan in these decaying bodies (2 Cor 5:2, 4) as we await Christ’s return and our glorified bodies. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7) because we do not see Christ’s kingdom on earth today. We do not see righteousness, justice, and peace on earth.
But we, too, have received from God the promises. We have not received them face to face as Abraham did (e.g., Gen 12:1-3; 15:1-6; 17:19; 22:16-18). But we have received them from God by means of His Word.
We are watching (Matt 24:42, 43; 25:13; 1 Thess 5:6, 10) for the Lord’s soon return, eagerly anticipating receiving the promises. “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20).
Keep grace in focus as you await His soon return!
