What is the “commendation” the ancients received?

Explanation:

The author of Hebrews states that the ancients were to receive their commendation [ἐμαρτυρήθησαν] for their faith. The term comes from the verb μαρτυρέω, which carries various senses, including to bear witness or to testify favorably.² To understand how the author of Hebrews uses the term, we can consider how he uses it elsewhere. When we do this, we find out that in fact, the author uses the verb seven times and in each instance the reference is used to refer to the witness of the biblical record (Hebrews 7:8, Hebrews 7:17; Hebrews 10:15; Hebrews 11:2, Hebrews 11:4, Hebrews 11:5, Hebrews 11:39).³

For example, in Hebrews 7:17 the author states, For it is witnessed [μαρτυρεῖται] of him [Jesus], You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. The sentence is a direct quote from Psalm 110:4. Then in Hebrews 10:15 he writes, The Holy Spirit also bears witness to us [μαρτυρεῖ]…saying, This is the covenant that I will make with them. This time, the author introduces a direct quote from Jeremiah 31:1–40.

From these instances we can infer that in the same way, when the author refers to the commendation of the ancients, he is referring to the fact that their accounts of faith are recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures.

Counterargument:

While it might be the case that some instances of μαρτυρέω (to testify) in the book of Hebrews refer to the record of Scripture, this is arguably not the case for every instant. For example, Hebrews 11:4 uses the verb μαρτυρέω (to testify) twice, and both instances seem to refer to divine favour as opposed to recorded in Scripture. There we find that Abel’s sacrifice was more acceptable than Cain’s, through which Abel was testified (μαρτυρέω) as righteous. The ESV renders the verb μαρτυρέω as commended. In other words, Abel’s sacrifice was such that it commended him as righteous in God’s eyes. The fact that Abel is commended as righteous is God’s eyes does not seem to refer to the fact that Abel’s actions were recorded in Scripture. Rather, it sounds like Abel’s actions helped him find divine favour. The second instance of μαρτυρέω (to testify) in verse Hebrews 11:4 lends support to his understanding, as the verse goes on to say that God commended Abel by accepting his gift. Again, the notion here is that God showed his divine favour to Abel, not by recording his actions in Scripture (although this too shows divine favour) but by accepting his sacrifice.

Added to this, even if a phrase is used by an author to mean the same thing in various circumstances, since the word itself has multiple meanings, the immediate context of each use has to be considered. An author’s repeated use of a certain term might provide clues, but one should make a case based on the author’s usage of a term and the immediate context.

Response to counterargument:

In the first place, while it is possible to take the uses of Hebrews 11:4 as meaning that God showed divine favour to Abel, it could also be taken to mean Abel’s faith resulted in his action being recorded in Scripture. For example, the NIV has v. Hebrews 11:4 as, By faith he [Abel] was commended [ἐμαρτυρήθη] as a righteous man, when God spoke well [μαρτυροῦντος] of his offering. On this translation, Abel is commended when God inspired the writers of Scripture to record God’s acceptance of Abel’s offering.

Further, the use of μαρτυρέω (to commend) in Hebrews 11:2 in reference to the ancients’ being commended, in the sense that, their faith is recorded in Scripture, is consistent with the immediate context.

Explanation:

A Hebrew inclusio is when an author repeats a word or phrase at the beginning and end of a section of material, in order to form a literary bracket. The author of Hebrews has done this by forming an inclusio between Hebrews 11:2 and Hebrews 11:39.⁴ He begins the inclusio in Hebrews 11:2 by stating that because of their faith the ancients were commended (μαρτυρέω). He then lists the biblical account of several prominent individuals and how their stories of faith make them exemplars for future generations. He then concludes in Hebrews 11:39 the recounting of the biblical stories with the final phrase of the inclusio, by repeating that those who were listed were commended (μαρτυρέω) for their faith. It is because these ancients were commended by God in Scripture for their faith that the author of Hebrews was warranted for using them as examples.⁵

Counterargument:

While it is true that each of the examples of faith is recorded elsewhere in Scripture, this is not enough to show that that is what the author means by μαρτυρέω (to commend). On the contrary, the author could mean that μαρτυρέω refers to divine favour. In other words, God commended the ancients, and showed them divine favour because they had faith. Of course, it is no surprise that we have a record in Scripture of the men who received divine favour for placing their faith in God. Still, the commendation could be the divine favour they received, not the fact that their accounts are recorded.

Possible weaknesses:

The weakness of this view is that it does not take into account the flexibility of the Greek verb μαρτυρέω (to commend). The passive form of the verb could mean to be spoken well of, to be approved by, or to be looked upon favourably. It is plausible that the verb in Hebrews 11:2 could be taken in any of these senses while remaining consistent with the author’s overall flow of thought. Most likely the author is using the term in a broad sense, and therefore might agree that μαρτυρέω has to do with divine favour, as well as the record of Scripture.

Explanation:

What does it mean that the ancients received their commendation [ἐμαρτυρήθησαν]? We know that God desires to be the God of his people (Hebrews 8:10).⁶ This implies that when people put their faith, that is, trust, in God, God recognizes them. What this recognition amounts to could be protection from enemies, peace, financial provision, and the like. The point is that God shows his favour to those who place their faith in him.⁷

Further, Hebrews 11:6 verifies this understanding when the author writes that anyone who draws near to God must believe both that he exists, and that he rewards those who seek him. This implies that the one who puts their faith in God should expect to receive God’s favour.

Counterargument:

It is hard to deny that God shows divine favour to those who put their trust in him. Still, we want to understand what μαρτυρέω means in the context of Hebrews 11:2 and Hebrews 11:39. When we do a broad word study we find that μαρτυρέω is used in the New Testament approximately seventy-four times. Over and over the term is used in the sense of bearing witness, or testifying. For example, in John 1:15 we read that John the Baptist bore witness [μαρτυρεῖ] about him [Jesus]. This means John explained to the people that Jesus was the coming Messiah, whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. Also, in Colossians 4:13 we learn that Timothy, who accompanied Paul in his missionary work, was well spoken of [ἐμαρτυρεῖτο]. Or take Colossians 4:13 where Paul writes, I bear him witness [μαρτυρῶ], pointing to Epaphras’s hard work for the believers in Colossae. In each of these instances, the verb μαρτυρέω (to testify) has to do with approval and reputation.

If we apply to Hebrews 11:2 and Hebrews 11:39 the understanding that the term μαρτυρέω means something like approval as it relates to one’s reputation, we see that it fits the context well. The author of Hebrews knows that the ancients were approved by God as having a good reputation for their faith. Evidence for this comes from the fact that their stories are recorded in Scripture. Thus, God approves the use of these men as examples of what constitutes faith.

Possible weaknesses:

The weakness of this view is that it lacks some precision. While it is the case that those who receive God’s commendation also receive God’s favour, to be approved by God, and to receive from God, are not quite the same. The author of Hebrews seems to make two statements. For one, if you put your faith in God, you will receive God’s approval in the sense that he will recognize you. Second, when you place your faith in God, you should expect God to treat you accordingly.