Meaning of Hebrews 11:4

Hebrews 11:4 highlights the foundational importance of faith in approaching God, exemplified by Abel's superior offering compared to Cain's. This passage is not merely about the type of sacrifice, but the disposition behind it, emphasizing that God looks at the heart and the motivation of worship. Abel's faith, therefore, is presented as the distinguishing factor that made his offering acceptable and commended him as righteous in God's sight, a righteousness that continues to speak to believers across generations.

Context and Background

The book of Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians facing persecution and internal doubts about their faith in Jesus. The author aims to demonstrate the superiority of the New Covenant in Christ over the Old Covenant system. To bolster their faith, the author presents a "hall of faith" in chapter 11, recounting the exemplary lives of Old Testament figures who lived by faith. Abel is the very first example, appearing immediately after the author introduces faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). The Genesis account (Genesis 4:1-16) describes Cain and Abel, sons of Adam and Eve, presenting offerings to the Lord. Cain, a tiller of the soil, brought an offering of the fruit of the ground, while Abel, a shepherd, brought "the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions." God accepted Abel's offering but did not accept Cain's, which led to Cain's jealousy and murder of Abel.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Primacy of Faith: The central theme is that faith is the essential element in a relationship with God. It's not just belief in God's existence, but a trust that leads to obedient action and an alignment with God's will.
• The Nature of Acceptable Worship: God's acceptance of Abel's offering, contrasted with Cain's rejection, underscores that the quality of the offering is tied to the faith of the offerer. A faithless offering, however grand, is not pleasing to God.
• Righteousness Through Faith: Abel is "commended as righteous" because of his faith. This points to a righteousness imputed by God, not earned by works alone, which is a crucial theme in Hebrews and the New Testament.
• The Enduring Testimony of the Faithful: The statement "by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead" emphasizes the lasting impact and witness of those who live by faith. Their lives and actions continue to instruct and inspire future generations.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that our approach to God must be rooted in faith. It challenges believers to examine the sincerity and substance of their worship and obedience. Are our offerings—whether in prayer, service, or material giving—motivated by genuine trust and dependence on God, or are they perfunctory rituals? Abel's example encourages a proactive and heartfelt engagement with God, leading to a righteousness that transcends our earthly existence. The enduring message of Abel's faith calls us to live lives that testify to God's goodness and grace, even after we are gone.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Abel's story is foundational to the biblical narrative of humanity's relationship with God. He represents the first instance of faith being explicitly contrasted with faithlessness, leading to divine favor and subsequent tragedy. His blood crying out from the ground (Genesis 4:10) foreshadows the theme of bloodshed and divine justice, and later, in the New Testament, his blood is contrasted with the blood of Christ, which "speaks a better word" (Hebrews 12:24). Abel's sacrifice establishes a precedent for the sacrificial system that would later culminate in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Analogies

• The Seed and the Harvest: Just as a farmer's faith in the seed and the soil leads to a harvest, Abel's faith in God led to a spiritually fruitful offering that pleased God. Cain's offering was like planting without faith, a mere dutiful act.
• A Child's Trust: A child's unquestioning trust in a loving parent, leading them to obey instructions and accept gifts, is akin to Abel's faith. Cain's approach might be likened to an adult performing a duty grudgingly, without genuine affection or belief in the outcome.
• A Well-Tuned Instrument: An instrument that is properly tuned and played with skill produces beautiful music, pleasing to the listener. Abel's faith "tuned" his offering to God's will, making it harmonious and acceptable. Cain's offering, lacking this spiritual tuning, was discordant.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 4:3-7: This is the direct Old Testament account on which Hebrews 11:4 is based, detailing the offerings and God's response.
• Hebrews 12:24: This verse directly references Abel's blood, contrasting its cry for vengeance with the "sprinkled blood of Jesus, which speaks a better message of grace."
• Romans 5:12-19: This passage discusses how sin and death entered the world through Adam, and righteousness and life through Christ, implicitly contrasting the first sinful generation with the faithful lineage that would eventually lead to Christ. Abel's story is an early marker in this narrative of sin and redemption.
• 1 John 3:12: This verse also refers to Cain and Abel, stating, "Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. Why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil, and his brother's righteous." This further emphasizes the moral and spiritual distinction between the two brothers.