Hebrews 11:40

Hebrews 11:40

God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

a. NLT: For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

b. NIV: Since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

c. YLT: God for us something better having provided, that apart from us they might not be made perfect.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].

e. Peshitta Eastern Text: because God, from the beginning, provided for our help lest, without us, they should not be made perfect.

1. “God having provided some better thing for us…”

a. God [Strong: 2316 theós, theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:—X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

b. having provided [Strong: 4265 problépō, prob-lep'-o; from G4253 and G991; to look out beforehand, i.e. furnish in advance:—provide.]

c. some [Strong: 5100 tìs, tis; an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:—a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), ×wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).]

d. better [thing] [Strong: 2909 kreíttōn, krite'-tohn; comparative of a derivative of G2904; stronger, i.e. (figuratively) better, i.e. nobler:—best, better.]

e. for [Strong: 4012 perí, per-ee'; from the base of G4008; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):—(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, × and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, × how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, × (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).]

f. us [Strong: 2257 hēmōn, hay-mone'; genitive case plural of G1473; of (or from) us:—our (company), us, we.]

1). The “better thing” is clearly the New Covenant in Christ Jesus.

a). Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

b). Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

c). Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

d). Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

2. “...that they without us should not be made perfect.”

a. that [they] [Strong: 2443 hina hin'-ah probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

b. without [Strong: 5565 chōrís, kho-rece'; adverb from G5561; at a space, i.e. separately or apart from (often as preposition):—beside, by itself, without.]

c. us [Strong: 2257 hēmōn, hay-mone'; genitive case plural of G1473; of (or from) us:—our (company), us, we.]

d. [should] not [Strong: 3363 hína mḗ, hin'-ah may; i.e. G2443 and G3361; in order (or so) that not:—albeit not, lest, that, no(-t, (-thing)).]

e. [be] made perfect [Strong: 5048 teleióō, tel-i-o'-o; from G5046; to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character):—consecrate, finish, fulfil, make) perfect.]

1). David M. Levy, Hebrews, A Commentary: The Old Testament saints received promises from God because of their faith, but they did not receive the promise apart from us. In other words, the promise of salvation and the Messianic Kingdom for all believers could not be completed until after Christ’s death and resurrection. Old and New Testament believers will be made “perfect” (complete, v.40) at the same time: at their glorification and return to earth at Christ’s Second Coming.

2). Philippians 3:11-14  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.