Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away." For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
By faith
The phrase "by faith" is foundational to the entire chapter of Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame." The Greek word for faith, "pistis," implies a deep trust and confidence in God. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a profound reliance on God's promises and character. In the context of Enoch, it signifies a life lived in complete trust and obedience to God, which is the essence of true faith.

Enoch
Enoch is a somewhat enigmatic figure in the Bible, mentioned briefly in Genesis 5:21-24. His life is notable for its brevity in the genealogical record, yet it is marked by an extraordinary relationship with God. The name "Enoch" means "dedicated" or "initiated," suggesting a life set apart for divine purposes. Enoch's account is a powerful testament to the possibility of walking closely with God, even in a fallen world.

was taken up
The phrase "was taken up" comes from the Greek word "metatithemi," which means to transfer or change place. This indicates a divine action where Enoch was translated from earthly life to a heavenly existence without experiencing death. This miraculous event underscores the power of God to transcend natural laws and serves as a foreshadowing of the believer's hope in eternal life.

so that he did not see death
This phrase highlights the unique nature of Enoch's departure from this world. Unlike others who experience physical death, Enoch was spared this process. Theologically, this points to the victory over death that is ultimately realized in Jesus Christ. Enoch's translation is a precursor to the resurrection hope that all believers share, emphasizing that death is not the final word for those who walk with God.

He could not be found
The statement "He could not be found" suggests that Enoch's disappearance was noticeable to those around him. It implies a sudden and unexplainable absence, which would have been a powerful testimony to the reality of God's intervention. This serves as a reminder that a life of faith leaves a lasting impact, even when the person is no longer present.

because God had taken him away
The phrase "because God had taken him away" attributes Enoch's translation directly to divine action. It emphasizes God's sovereignty and the intimate relationship between Enoch and his Creator. This divine initiative reflects God's pleasure in Enoch's faith and obedience, highlighting the personal nature of God's dealings with those who earnestly seek Him.

For before he was taken
This phrase sets the stage for understanding the reason behind Enoch's translation. It indicates that there was a period during which Enoch's life was observed and evaluated by God. This suggests that our earthly lives are significant and that God is attentive to how we live in faith and obedience.

he was commended
The word "commended" comes from the Greek "martureo," meaning to bear witness or testify. It implies that Enoch's life was a testimony to his faith and that God Himself bore witness to Enoch's righteousness. This divine commendation is the ultimate affirmation of a life well-lived in faith, serving as an encouragement for believers to seek God's approval above all else.

as one who pleased God
The phrase "as one who pleased God" is a profound statement about Enoch's character and relationship with God. It echoes the sentiment found in Genesis 5:24, where Enoch is described as walking with God. To please God is to live in harmony with His will, reflecting His character and purposes. This is the highest calling for any believer, and Enoch's life serves as an inspiring example of what it means to truly please God through faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Enoch
A patriarch from the seventh generation after Adam, known for his close walk with God and his unique departure from this world without experiencing death.

2. God
The sovereign Creator who took Enoch away, demonstrating His power over life and death.

3. The Event of Enoch's Translation
Enoch's being taken up by God is a significant event that underscores the power of faith and God's approval of a life that pleases Him.
Teaching Points
The Power of Faith
Enoch's life exemplifies the transformative power of faith. His faith was so profound that it altered his earthly destiny, showing that faith can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Pleasing God
Enoch was commended for pleasing God. This teaches us that our ultimate goal should be to live lives that are pleasing to God, which requires faith and obedience.

Walking with God
Enoch's walk with God was consistent and intimate. We are encouraged to cultivate a daily, personal relationship with God, characterized by trust and devotion.

Hope of Eternal Life
Enoch's translation prefigures the hope of eternal life and the promise that believers will one day be with God, bypassing the sting of death.

Living Counter-Culturally
Enoch lived in a time of increasing wickedness, yet he remained faithful. We are called to stand firm in our faith, even when surrounded by ungodliness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Enoch's faith challenge our understanding of what it means to live a life pleasing to God?

2. In what ways can we cultivate a "walk with God" in our daily lives, similar to Enoch's?

3. How does the account of Enoch encourage us to have hope in the promise of eternal life?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to live counter-culturally in a world that often opposes godly values?

5. How can we apply the principle of faith from Hebrews 11:5 to other areas of our lives, such as our relationships, work, and personal growth?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 5:21-24
This passage provides the original account of Enoch's life and his walk with God, emphasizing his faithfulness and the mysterious nature of his departure.

Jude 1:14-15
Enoch is mentioned as a prophet who spoke against ungodliness, highlighting his role as a righteous man in a corrupt world.

Hebrews 11:6
This verse follows immediately after and expands on the idea that faith is essential to please God, reinforcing the example set by Enoch.
EnochB. D. Johns.Hebrews 11:5
EnochJ. Trapp.Hebrews 11:5
Enoch Opposing the Current Opinions of the DayE. Monro.Hebrews 11:5
Enoch, One of the World's Great TeachersHomilistHebrews 11:5
Enoch's ReligionG. T. Noel, M.AHebrews 11:5
Enoch's TranslationT. Manton, D. D.Hebrews 11:5
Enoch's TranslationKing's Highway.Hebrews 11:5
Faith Exceptionally RewardedJohn Owen, D. D.Hebrews 11:5
Faith the Secret of Holy Life and Triumphant DeathC. New.Hebrews 11:5
God's Testimony to the Faith of EnochJ. Parsons.Hebrews 11:5
He Pleased GodA. Raleigh, D. D.Hebrews 11:5
Pleasing GodHomilistHebrews 11:5
Pleasing GodJ. Leifchild.Hebrews 11:5
The Character and the Translation of EnochW. Jones Hebrews 11:5
The Duty of Pleasing GodC. Bradley, M. A.Hebrews 11:5
The Faith of EnochD. Young Hebrews 11:5
The Man that is Missed When He is GoneDean Vaughan.Hebrews 11:5
The Translation of EnochW. Landels, D. D.Hebrews 11:5
The Translation of EnochE. P. Hood.Hebrews 11:5
Walking Up to Our AscensionJ. Vaughan, M. A.Hebrews 11:5
What Makes Men Please GodW. Gouge.Hebrews 11:5
People
Abel, Barak, Cain, David, Egyptians, Enoch, Esau, Gedeon, Gideon, Hebrews, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jephthae, Jephthah, Joseph, Noah, Pharaoh, Rahab, Samson, Samuel, Sara, Sarah
Places
Egypt, Jericho, Jerusalem, Red Sea
Topics
Attested, Borne, Commended, Death, Enoch, Evidence, Experience, Faith, Heaven, Longer, Obtained, Pleased, Pleasing, Testified, Testimony, Translate, Translated, Translation, Truly, Well-pleasing, Witness, Wouldn't
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hebrews 11:5

     8253   faithfulness, examples
     9020   death

Hebrews 11:1-39

     5763   attitudes, positive to God
     8412   decisions

Hebrews 11:1-40

     8020   faith

Hebrews 11:4-5

     5262   commendation
     8022   faith, basis of salvation

Hebrews 11:4-28

     5714   men

Hebrews 11:4-38

     8428   example

Hebrews 11:5-6

     8460   pleasing God

Library
October 15. "Faith is the Evidence of Things not Seen" (Heb. xi. 1).
"Faith is the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. xi. 1). True faith drops its letter in the post-office box, and lets it go. Distrust holds on to a corner of it, and wonders that the answer never comes. I have some letters in my desk that have been written for weeks, but there was some slight uncertainty about the address or the contents, so they are yet unmailed. They have not done either me or anybody else any good yet. They will never accomplish anything until I let them go out of my hands and
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

April 26. "Strangers and Pilgrims" (Heb. xi. 13).
"Strangers and pilgrims" (Heb. xi. 13). If you have ever tried to plough a straight furrow in the country--we are sorry for the man that does not know how to plough and more sorry for the man that is too proud to want to know--you have found it necessary to have two stakes in a line and to drive your horses by these stakes. If you have only one stake before you, you will have no steadying point for your vision, but you can wiggle about without knowing it and make your furrows as crooked as a serpent's
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

February 3. "He Went Out, not Knowing Whither He Went" (Heb. xi. 8).
"He went out, not knowing whither He went" (Heb. xi. 8). It is faith without sight. When we can see, it is not faith but reasoning. In crossing the Atlantic we observed this very principle of faith. We saw no path upon the sea nor sign of the shore. And yet day by day we were marking our path upon the chart as exactly as if there had followed us a great chalk line upon the sea; and when we came within twenty miles of land we knew where we were as exactly as if we had seen it all three thousand miles
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January the First the Unknown Journey
"He went out not knowing whither he went." --HEBREWS xi. 6-10. Abram began his journey without any knowledge of his ultimate destination. He obeyed a noble impulse without any discernment of its consequences. He took "one step," and he did not "ask to see the distant scene." And that is faith, to do God's will here and now, quietly leaving the results to Him. Faith is not concerned with the entire chain; its devoted attention is fixed upon the immediate link. Faith is not knowledge of a moral
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Illusiveness of Life.
Preached June 9, 1850. THE ILLUSIVENESS OF LIFE. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."--Hebrews xi. 8-10. Last Sunday we touched upon
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

The Pilgrim's Longings
Now, our position is very similar to theirs. As many of us as have believed in Christ have been called out. The very meaning of a church is, "called out by Christ." We have been separated. I trust we know what it is to have gone without the camp, bearing Christ's reproach. Henceforth, in this world we have no home, no true home for our spirits; our home is beyond the flood; we are looking for it amongst the unseen things; we are strangers and sojourners as all our fathers were, dwellers in this wilderness,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

Rahab's Faith
I do think this triumph of faith over sin is not the least here recorded, but that if there be any superiority ascribable to any one of faith's exploits, this is, in some sense, the greatest of all. What! faith, didst thou fight with hideous lust? What! wouldst thou struggle with the fiery passion which sendeth forth flame from human breasts? What! wouldst thou touch with thy hallowed fingers foul and bestial debauchery? "Yea," says faith, "I did encounter this abomination of iniquity; I delivered
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Faith
This is an old law; it is as old as the first man. No sooner were Cain and Abel born into this world, and no sooner had they attained to manhood, than God gave a practical proclamation of this law, that "without faith it is impossible to please him." Cain and Abel, one bright day, erected an altar side by side with each other. Cain fetched of the fruits of the trees and of the abundance of the soil, and placed them upon his altar; Abel brought of the firstlings of the flock, and laid it upon his
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
We may take pleasure in thinking of Noah as a kind of contrast to Enoch. Enoch was taken away from the evil to come: he saw not the flood, nor heard the wailing of those who were swept away by the waterfloods. His was a delightful deliverance from the harvest of wrath which followed the universal godlessness of the race. It was not his to fight the battle of righteousness to the bitter end; but by a secret rapture he avoided death, and escaped those evil days in which his grandson's lot was cast.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 36: 1890

The Best Strengthening Medicine
THOSE WHO OUT OF WEAKNESS were made strong are written among the heroes of faith, and are by no means the least of them. Believers "quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong." Who shall tell which of the three grand deeds of faith is the greatest? Many of us may never have to brave the fiery stake, nor to bow our necks upon the block, to die as Paul did; but if we have grace enough to be out of weakness made strong, we shall not be left out of
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Obedience of Faith
"Is there a heart that will not bend To thy divine control? Descend, O sovereign love, descend, And melt that stubborn soul! " Surely, though we have had to mourn our disobedience with many tears and sighs, we now find joy in yielding ourselves as servants of the Lord: our deepest desire is to do the Lord's will in all things. Oh, for obedience! It has been supposed by many ill-instructed people that the doctrine of justification by faith is opposed to the teaching of good works, or obedience. There
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Call of Abraham
I. First, let us LOOK AT ABRAHAM. Abraham's family was originally an idolatrous one; afterwards some beams of light shone in upon the household, and they became worshippers of the true God; but there was much ignorance mingled with their worship, and at least occasionally their old idolatrous habits returned. The Lord who had always fixed on Abraham to be his chosen servant and the father of his chosen people upon earth, made Abraham leave the society of his friends and relatives, and go out of Ur
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Go Back? Never!
"And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly...city."--Hebrews 11:15, 16. ABRAHAM left his country at God's command, and he never went back again. The proof of faith lies in perseverance. There is a sort of faith which doth run well for a while, but it is soon ended, and it doth not obey the truth. The Apostle tells us, however, that the people of God were
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Gaze of the Soul
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.--Heb. 12:2 Let us think of our intelligent plain man mentioned in chapter six coming for the first time to the reading of the Scriptures. He approaches the Bible without any previous knowledge of what it contains. He is wholly without prejudice; he has nothing to prove and nothing to defend. Such a man will not have read long until his mind begins to observe certain truths standing out from the page. They are the spiritual principles behind
A. W. Tozer—The Pursuit of God

The Christian Faith
Scripture references: Hebrews 11; Matthew 9:29; 17:20; Mark 10:52; 11:22; Acts 2:38; 3:16; 10:43; 16:30,31; Romans 1:17; 5:1; 10:17; Galatians 2:20. FAITH AND PRACTICE Belief Controls Action.--"As the man is, so is his strength" (Judges 8:21), "For as he thinketh in his heart so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:28,29). "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). The Scriptures place stress upon the fact that
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Voices of the Dead
"And by it he being dead yet speaketh." Hebrews xi. 4. Much of the communion of this earth is not by speech or actual contact, and the holiest influences fall upon us in silence. A monument or symbol shall convey a meaning which cannot be expressed; and a token of some departed one is more eloquent than words. The mere presence of a good and holy personage will move us to reverence and admiration, though he may say and do but little. So is there an impersonal presence of such an one; and, though
E. H. Chapin—The Crown of Thorns

The Practice of Piety; Directing a Christian How to Walk that He May Please God.
Whoever thou art that lookest into this book, never undertake to read it, unless thou first resolvest to become from thine heart an unfeigned Practitioner of Piety. Yet read it, and that speedily, lest, before thou hast read it over, God, by some unexpected death, cut thee off for thine inveterate impiety. The Practice of Piety consists-- First, In knowing the essence of God, and that in respect of, (I.) The diverse manner of being therein, which are three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (II.)
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Testimonies.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God."--Heb. xi. 6. In order to prevent the possibility of being led into paths of error, faith is directed, not to a Christ of the imagination, but to "the Christ in the garments of the Sacred Scripture," as Calvin expresses it. And therefore we must discriminate between (1) faith as a faculty implanted in the soul without our knowledge; (2) faith as a power whereby this implanted faculty begins to act; and (3) faith as a result,--since with this faith (1)
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Abraham and Isaac. Genesis xxii.
1.--"After these things." What things? See verse 33 in preceding chapter. After Abraham had given himself to prayer. It often happens that grace is given for grace. God prepares his own for trial and suffering by revealing Himself. "GOD DID TEMPT."--Like a workman who is conscious the work is well done, fears not the scrutiny which waits his labour. When the smith has put good work into the iron cable, he does not then fear the strain of the test put upon it, and God knew what He had done to
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Enoch, the Deathless
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. Enoch was the bright particular star of the patriarchal epoch. His record is short, but eloquent. It is crowded into a few words, but every word, when placed under examination, expands indefinitely. Every virtue may be read into them; every eulogium possible to a human character shines from them. He was a devout man, a fearless preacher of righteousness, an intimate friend of God, and the only man of his dispensation who did not see death. He sheds a lustre on the
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Faith an Assurance and a Proof.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen. For therein the elders had witness borne to them. By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which do appear."--HEB. xi. 1-3 (R.V.). It is often said that one of the greatest difficulties in the Epistle to the Hebrews is to discover any real connection of ideas between the author's general purpose in the previous discussion and the
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient,
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Faith of Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

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