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: —Of the believers before mentioned, and of others that lived before Christ, it is said they that received not the promise, that is, saints, under the Old Testament, had not an actual exhibition of Christ. This was one of the promises, concerning which it was said of the patriarchs, they received not the promises (ver. 13). In this respect it is said that many prophets and righteous men desired to see those things (Matthew 13:17), namely, Jesus Christ incarnate, living, preaching, working miracles, &c., and that the prophets inquired and searched diligently about those things (1 Peter 1:10). Therefore they did not enjoy them. God was herein pleased to manifest His wisdom in reserving such a promise to a fulness of time (Galatians 4:4).

1. That His goodness might by degrees increase, as the sun doth, and so be the better discerned. For by degrees it was more clearly revealed.

2. That so great a blessing might be the more expected, inquired after, and longed for.

3. That the patience and other graces of saints might be the better exercised.

4. That Christ Himself might be the more honoured, in that He was reserved to the latter age of the world, as being a blessing which surpassed all other blessings before it.

(1) Hereby we have instruction in the nature of faith, which is to rest upon promises for things future, as if they were actually accomplished.

(2) This doth much amplify the faith of former believers, in that they did and endured so great things for Christ before they enjoyed Him.

(3) It checks our backwardness and dulness in believing, who live in the times wherein the promise may be and is received.

(4) This should stir us up to seek to excel them, in that we have received the promise which they received not.

(W. Gouge.)

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KJV: And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

WEB: These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn't receive the promise,