Grace And Faith 2024/2025 Discussion Board 1

[Odinachi Onyemkpa]

The deep and complex relationship between faith as powerful and producing results, and the experience of waiting for promised results, is a theme that deserves thoughtful consideration. In particular, Hebrews 11:39 sheds light on this idea. It says, “And all these, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.” This verse teaches us an important lesson: even the most celebrated figures of faith in the Bible did not experience the full accomplishment of God’s promises while they were alive. Recognising this truth causes us to rethink what faith is. It shows us that faith needs to be based on something much deeper than just expecting quick results.

1. At its core, faith is about embracing what we cannot see or fully understand. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In simpler terms, real faith is about trusting firmly in God’s promises and plans—even when we cannot see any signs of them coming true right away. The remarkable people mentioned in Hebrews 11 exemplified this kind of faith. They believed wholeheartedly in God’s future promises, even though they did not witness their fulfilment during their lifetimes. Their steadfast trust serves as a powerful reminder of what it means to truly believe.

2. Moreover, faith involves a perspective that goes beyond the temporary challenges of our earthly lives. The many struggles and sacrifices faced by the saints of the Old Testament were not wasted. Instead, their faith was focused on a grand fulfilment that went beyond their immediate hardships. Hebrews 11:39 emphasises this idea, showing that despite their extraordinary faith and notable lives, these individuals did not see the ultimate promise come to pass—Jesus Christ Himself. This fact reminds us that faith is not just about achieving quick successes; it is a meaningful journey toward a lasting hope that stands strong even in tough times.

3.It is also crucial to recognise that God’s greater plan for humanity shapes our understanding of faith. Hebrews 11:40 makes it clear: God has something far better prepared for both the believers of the Old and New Testaments. This incredible revelation suggests that the full realisation of His promises is not just a single moment, but part of a larger story that connects all believers in His eternal purpose. The Old Testament figures acted as early hints of Christ’s coming, with their faith providing a crucial foundation for the New Covenant, which gives us unique access to God’s promises. Unlike the saints who came before us, we now live in the light of Christ’s sacrificial love that makes our salvation truly clear. John Calvin (Calvin’s Commentaries [Baker], p. 308) put it, “A small spark of light led them to heaven; when the Sun of righteousness shines over us (Mal.4:2), with what pretence can we excuse ourselves if we still cleave to the earth?”

In summary, understanding how faith works in light of Hebrews 11:39 is not only possible but essential. This understanding stems from realising that faith goes beyond the desire for immediate rewards. It calls for a strong, confident trust in God’s timing and promises, even when we cannot see their fulfilment yet. The faithful individuals of old awaited a promise much greater than their circumstances could reveal. As those who have received the revelation of Christ, we are encouraged to show patience and unwavering confidence. We can trust that God’s promises will ultimately come to fruition in His perfect timing, and this assurance strengthens us as we navigate our journeys of faith with hope and determination.

[Aanuoluwa Babalola]

Hebrews 11:39 presents a sort of paradox: “These all, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise.” And we have learnt that faith always produces results. That might make the scripture above look like a contradiction on the surface level.

Yet this isn’t a contradiction but a deeper insight into the nature of God’s plan. The “promise” they didn’t receive refers to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ—the full revelation of the New Covenant and salvation. While they saw many results of their faith in their lifetimes, the complete culmination of God’s ultimate promise was yet to come.

This actually strengthens the idea that faith is powerful and always produces results. It shows that faith isn’t limited to immediate outcomes. It extends to trusting God for future, unseen realities. The unwavering belief of these Old Testament saints, even without witnessing the full scope of God’s plan, exemplifies a profound level of supernatural faith. Their lives demonstrate that faith delivers results, both in the present and in patiently waiting for God’s perfect timing and ultimate purpose.

Their faith, though powerful enough to conquer kingdoms and endure torture, was still exercised in anticipation of a greater, yet-to-be-revealed salvation. They lived and died believing in a coming Deliverer, a perfect sacrifice, and a new and better covenant. It expands our perception of faith beyond immediate gratification and present-day results.

[VictorKachi]

Your insights are engaging. I would love to contribute to your post.
First, we need to understand what kind of “victory” faith produces and what “promise” is being referred to in Hebrew 11:39. The “promise” mentioned in Hebrews 11:39 refers to the ultimate fulfilment of God’s redemptive plan in Christ.

The reason they did not receive or experience the promise was not because of any defect in the promise itself. Instead, I believe that the promise, while offered under the dispensation of grace, was not attainable for the saints who lived during the dispensation of the Law.

If we had the chance to ask Father Abraham whether all he was promised was fulfilled. What do you think will be his response?
Jesus alluded in John 8:56 – “…He saw it and was glad.” This implies that Abraham had a spiritual insight or revelation about the future work of Christ.
What about the three Hebrew boys in the burning fiery furnace? Dan 3:23-25
They all experienced victory in their lifetime. Faith delivers results both in the present and in the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ—the full revelation of the New Covenant and salvation.

On a surface level, Heb 11:36 can be rendered as a contradiction to the truth that faith always receives the victory.
But with a deeper understanding, we can say boldly that the saints of the Old covenant did not experience the promise directly, but they obtained the victory linked to it because they had faith in the coming Messiah, even though they had not seen him.

[Chibuike Onyeogulu]

The relationship between faith’s power and waiting on God’s timing deserves reflection. Hebrews 11:39 states, “And all these, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.” Even the heroes of faith did not fully see every promise fulfilled during their lifetimes, prompting us to redefine faith beyond a quest for quick outcomes.
First, faith rests on the unseen. Hebrews 11:1 defines it as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” True faith relies on God’s character, trusting His promises even when fulfillment seems distant. The figures in Hebrews 11 modeled this, believing without witnessing.
Second, faith transcends temporary struggles. Their trials were not pointless; they looked toward a grand fulfillment beyond present hardship. Hebrews 11:39 emphasizes that despite extraordinary trust, they did not behold Christ’s redemptive work. Thus, faith is a journey of enduring hope.
Third, faith aligns with God’s overarching plan. Hebrews 11:40 reveals God “provided something better” through Christ. Promise fulfillment unfolds within a unified redemptive narrative. Earlier saints pointed toward the Messiah; we live in the revelation of Christ’s sacrificial love, which secures our redemption.
In conclusion, Hebrews 11:39 refines our understanding of faith: authentic trust transcends immediacy. It calls us to patient confidence in God’s timing, assured that His promises will reach completion in His perfect plan.

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 1 day ago by Chibuike Onyeogulu.

[Humble oluchi God’s power]

Good day, Odinachi Onyemkpa. Your insights into the intricate relationship between faith and results provide a significant perspective. Hebrews 11:39 lays the groundwork for this discussion, emphasizing that many biblical figures exhibited extraordinary faith without witnessing the promised results in their lifetimes.

Faith is frequently misinterpreted as a tool for obtaining quick results. However, Odinachi, your reflections prompt us to reconsider this idea. Faith is not merely about immediate outcomes; it is about placing trust in God’s character, promises, and sovereignty.

The Bible offers numerous instances of individuals who displayed faith without receiving prompt results. These instances challenge our comprehension of faith and inspire us to embrace a more profound perspective.

* We are encouraged to trust in God’s timing and sovereignty.

* Our focus should shift from attaining specific outcomes to fostering a deeper relationship with God.

* We should learn to rely on God’s promises, even when the results are not immediately apparent.

Conclusion:
In summary, reflecting on Hebrews 11:39 provides a valuable perspective on the intricate relationship between faith and results. By embracing a deeper understanding of faith, we can nurture a more meaningful relationship with God, founded on trust, obedience, and perseverance. As we navigate the complexities of faith and results, may we draw encouragement from the examples of biblical figures who exhibited remarkable faith, trusting in God’s promises even when the outcomes were uncertain.

[Chibuike Onyeogulu]

Reconciling the Tenth Pillars’ Claim that genuine faith “always receives the victory. In other words, wherever faith is exercised, it triumphs over obstacles and secures God’s purposes. Yet Hebrews 11:39 reminds us paradoxically that “all these, having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive what was promised”. How can faith both always win and yet leave its heroes without the very promises they trusted God to fulfill? In what follows we’ll explore three key points that resolve this tension:

1. Victory Defined by God’s Character and Eternal Purpose When Pillar 10 says faith “always receives the victory,” it presumes victory is rooted in God’s unchanging faithfulness, not our calendar or comfort. True faith looks beyond present circumstances to God’s eternal reputation and ultimate plan. The patriarchs and prophets “won” precisely because their trust was credited as righteousness (Gen 15:6), and they bore witness to God’s faithfulness even in suffering. Their lack of earthly fulfillment did not negate their victory; rather, it highlighted that faith is first and foremost a covenantal bond with God, anchored in His integrity. By this measure, faith never loses, because God—as covenant-maker and promise-keeper—cannot fail.

2. Faith’s Triumph in Christ’s Finished Work Hebrews 11:39 underscores that Old-Testament saints “did not receive what was promised,” yet Hebrews 12:1–2 invites us to fix our eyes on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” The promises upon which Abraham, Moses, and others hoped to find their true substance in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. When Jesus accomplishes redemption, He secures every promise of inheritance, rest, and kingship. Thus, the victory of faith is realized not in each individual promise at its temporal window, but in the person and work of Christ who embodies and guarantees them all. Every act of faith in the Old Covenant pointed forward to the cross and empty tomb—events that forever clinch the victory for every believer, past, present, and future.

3. Corporate and Eschatological Fulfillment A third dimension lies in the communal and future-oriented nature of God’s promises. Hebrews 11:40 explains that God “provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” The final consummation of God’s kingdom awaits Christ’s return, when death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor 15:54). Individual saints in isolation cannot experience the fullness of that day; it requires the gathered “great cloud of witnesses” running the race together. In this sense, faith’s victory is pilgrimage-shaped: we press on now, sustained by the assurance that every promise will find completion in the new heavens and new earth. Faith may not always yield the outcome we expect in our lifetimes, but it never loses because it deposits us into the grand, corporate fulfillment of God’s eternal covenant.

Conclusion
Far from contradicting the Tenth Pillars, Hebrews 11:39 refines our understanding of faith’s victory. Victory is never a guarantee of instant gratification; it is a guarantee of God’s ultimate triumph through Christ. By defining victory in terms of God’s unbreakable character, rooting our hope in the finished work of Jesus, and embracing the corporate and eschatological scope of God’s promises, we see that faith always wins—though sometimes it wins not according to our timetable, but according to God’s perfect design. Our role is to persevere, assured that genuine faith secures an eternal victory that not one of God’s promises will fail to honor.

Reference
• Church, P. 2012. Peter T. O’Brien, The Letter to the Hebrews. The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010). Colloquium 44/1 (2012): 121-23.
• https://www.videobible.com/meaning/hebrews-11-39 accessed on 6/27/2025

[Humble oluchi God’s power]

Faith is often associated with power and results, yet Hebrews 11:39 presents a seeming paradox: many Old Testament figures demonstrated remarkable faith, yet “none of them received what had been promised.” How do we reconcile this apparent contradiction?

Hebrews 11:39 TPT. These were the true heroes, commended for their faith, yet they lived in hope without receiving the fullness of what was promised to them.

The initial part of the verse recognizes that the figures from the Old Testament were acknowledged by God for their faith. This commendation is important as it illustrates that faith, rather than merely actions or obedience, is what truly pleases God.

Faith is not just about attaining concrete results but involves trusting in God’s character, believing in His goodness, love, promises, and sovereignty. While faith can lead to extraordinary outcomes, its main emphasis is on honoring God and aligning with His will, irrespective of the results.

Throughout Hebrews 11, it is highlighted that these men and women acted out of faith. For instance:

1) Abraham (Hebrews 11:8-10)Abraham’s extraordinary faith, showcasing his trust and obedience to God’s promises.

2) MOSES: (Hebrews 11:24-26) Moses’ remarkable decision, driven by his faith.

3) NOAH: (Hebrews 11:7) Noah’s extraordinary faith. Noah placed his trust in God’s promise, even when the outcome appeared improbable.

Nevertheless, even with their faith and God’s endorsement of their lives, they did not witness the complete realization of the promises during their lifetime. Their faith looked ahead, anticipating something more significant, but that ultimate fulfillment was only realized through Jesus Christ.

Although faith can result in extraordinary outcomes, its complete realization may not always be immediate or apparent. The strength of faith is found in: Trusting in God’s sovereignty, aligning with His will, proclaiming His word, engaging in the hearing and meditation of His word, and obeying God’s introduction.

Andrew Wommack comments in one of his books “staying full of God” commented on faith that produces results. He said: “The reason we sometimes struggle to do God’s will is because of the value we place in other things”

Sometimes we look at people who have great sacrifices and wonder, How could they do it? Well, they couldn’t with some people’s values! People generally will do what they value, prize and respect the most. Therefore the problem isn’t knowing what the right thing to do is. It’s that our values are so skewed that we can’t make the right decision to do it because we feel we’re losing so much.

It appeared as if Moses was losing everything, but he looked beyond that. He had “respect” unto his reward.

Conclusion
Hebrews 11:39 urges us to have full confidence, trust in God’s character, promises, and sovereignty even when the fulfillment is postponed or uncertain. By concentrating on spiritual development and our relationship with God, we can truly experience the power of faith and spiritual growth.

[VictorKachi]

Examining the ten pillars of faith being taught shows how strong and effective faith can be. It’s crucial to understand that faith works in the present, which in turn influences the future.

Pillar #9 has already clarified that faith is first received in the supernatural realm before it manifests in the natural realm.

A look at Hebrew 11:39
Without a proper understanding, This verse can seem to contradict the truth that Faith always produces results because it highlights that many Old Testament figures demonstrated remarkable faith, yet they didn’t receive the promises they were looking forward to during their lifetimes.

1. Recieving is not only applicable to tangible object.
This is the point at which many individuals misunderstand the concept. Their understanding is often focused on what is tangible. Tangible results can be a part of God’s blessings, it’s crucial to understand that faith is not solely about receiving tangible outcomes because it operates in the supernatural.
The first part of the verse (Hebrews 11:39) recognizes that these figures from the Old Testament received commendation from God for their faith. However, they did not receive the full realization of the promises in their lives. Nevertheless, we can assert with confidence that significant spiritual outcomes were achieved.

2. Immediate vs delayed fulfillment
Another challenge most people encounter is that They always want it now, they want to feel, touch and receive their victory.
The second part of verse 39 points out that, while these Old Testament figures trusted in God’s promises, they did not receive the full realization of those promises during their lifetime. For example, Abraham was promised that his descendants would become a great nation, and that through him, all the nations of the earth would be blessed, (Genesis 12:2-3) did not live to see the full extent of this promise fulfilled. Similarly, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt but did not enter the Promised Land himself Deuteronomy 34:4. These examples show that while faith brings divine approval with instant supernatural results, it does not always result in immediate fulfillment of promises. Some individuals despite their strong faith, may not see the fulfillment of God’s promises during their lifetime. Heb 11:13 msg.

T. G. Selby and W. Gouge’s commentary on Hebrew 11:39 provides valuable insights into the nature of faith. Recognizing that God’s promises transcends individual lifes.

3. Jesus Christ: The fulfilment of our Victory.
I John 5:4 NKJV
1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV
Romans 8:37 NKJV
Faith receives the victory that christ has already provided for us. Essentially, a victory based on faith is not just about winning in the world’s eyes, but about experiencing a deeper, more profound victory that comes from aligning oneself with God’s will and experiencing His love and grace.

The promises made to the Old Testament saints pointed forward to something greater—the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God’s kingdom.
God’s plan was to unite all believers (past, present, and future) into one body through Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of these promises is ultimately found in Jesus Christ, who is the “yes” and “amen” to all of God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).
The perfection that comes through Christ is shared by all who have faith in Him, whether they lived before or after His coming. The saints of old are not made perfect without us, and we are not made perfect without them. Together, all believers are part of God’s redemptive story, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

In conclusion
Victory and good results can not be scaled or measured in a lifetime. That’s not what pillar #10 supposes and it’s not the kind of result supernatural faith offers.
Faith is indeed powerful, it can lead to tangible results but it does not operate by sight (2cor 5:7),
By understanding these aspects, we can reconcile Hebrews 11:39 and the truth that faith is powerful and it produces results. It’s not just about getting quick results.
“Faith entails trusting in God’s promises and sovereignty, anchored in His unshakeable faithfulness. In Christ Jesus, believers have already been granted victory, thereby empowering them to navigate challenges with assurance and hope.”

[Author]

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