Hebrews 11:31
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By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Rahab showed her "faith" in her confession, Jos 2:9, Jos 2:11, "I know that Jehovah hath given you the land; Jehovah your God, is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." the harlot--Her former life adds to the marvel of her repentance, faith, and preservation (Mat 21:31-32). believed not--Greek, "were disobedient," namely, to the will of God manifested by the miracles wrought in behalf of Israel (Jos 2:8-11). received--in her house (Jos 2:1, Jos 2:4, Jos 2:6). with peace--peaceably; so that they had nothing to fear in her house. Thus Paul, quoting the same examples (Heb 11:17, Heb 11:31) for the power of faith, as James (Jam 2:21, Jam 2:25; see on Jam 2:21; Jam 2:25) does for justification by works evidentially, shows that in maintaining justification by faith alone, he means not a dead faith, but "faith which worketh by love" (Gal 5:6).
Open source ↗The apostle having, in the close of the foregoing chapter, recommended the grace of faith and a life of faith as the best preservative against apostasy, he how enlarges upon the nature and fruits of this excellent grace. I. The nature of it, and the honour it reflects upon all who live in the exercise of it (Heb 11:1-3). II. The great examples we have in the Old Testament of those who lived by faith, and died and suffered extraordinary things by the strength of his grace (v. 4-38). And, III. The advantages that we have in the gospel for the exercise of this grace above what those had who lived in the times of the Old Testament (Heb 11:39, Heb 11:40).
Open source ↗11:31 Rahab the prostitute (Josh 2; 6:25) showed faith in the power of the God of Israel by protecting the spies who came to her home (cp. Jas 2:25). As a result, she and her family were not destroyed but joined the community of Israel. In fact, Rahab was an ancestor of Jesus (Matt 1:5).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying,
who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.
And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed?
and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.