Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes Sarah's faith after her initial disbelief and laughter. Her belief wasn't perfect from the start, but it was her eventual decision to trust God's promise, despite all natural impossibilities, that's highlighted here. This shows that even when we falter, God can still work through our eventual commitment to His faithfulness.
This passage continues the author's exploration of faith by highlighting Sarah's story. It follows Abraham's example of obedience and endurance, demonstrating that faith isn't just for men but also for women, even those who initially doubted. The verse emphasizes that Sarah, despite her advanced age and past barrenness, conceived through faith in God's promise, ultimately giving rise to an innumerable posterity.
Even the greatest faith journeys have moments of doubt. Sarah's story is a powerful reminder that God meets us right where we are, even in our unbelief.
The Bible doesn't shy away from Sarah's initial skepticism when God promised her a child (Genesis 18:12). She even laughed! Yet, the author of Hebrews highlights that even Sarah herself received power to conceive. This points to a profound shift. Her past doubt didn't disqualify her; instead, her eventual belief, even when faced with seemingly impossible circumstances, became a testament to God's faithfulness. It's a beautiful picture of God working through our faith, even after we've stumbled.
What does it truly mean to 'consider God faithful'? It's more than just belief; it's a deep conviction about His unchanging nature.
The core of Sarah's faith, as highlighted in this verse, was her conviction: 'since she considered him faithful who had promised.' This wasn't about Sarah's strength or capability. It was about her understanding and trust in God's character. She didn't just believe a promise; she believed the Promiser. This means seeing God as inherently trustworthy, unchanging, and true to His Word, regardless of external circumstances. Her belief was rooted in who God is, not just what He could do.
Understand the original words
pistis · Greek Noun
A divinely enabled trust, reliance, and commitment to God and His promises. It is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, acting as the foundation of the believer's life.
steira · Greek Adjective
A state of being biologically unable to produce children, often used in Scripture to highlight God's miraculous intervention in human history.
pistos · Greek Adjective
Reliable, trustworthy, and true to one's word. When applied to God, it signifies His unwavering commitment to keep His covenants and fulfill His promises.
epangellō · Greek Verb
A declaration or pledge from God concerning future events or blessings. Biblical promises are rooted in God's character and are certain to be fulfilled.
Sarah's story highlights that even after moments of doubt and acting outside of faith, God's promises can be fulfilled through persistent belief, especially when we finally trust in His faithfulness.
c. 2091 BC
God's Covenant with Abram
God establishes a covenant with Abram, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars and an inheritance of land, setting the stage for the future nation of Israel.
c. 2090 BC
Abram and Sarai Leave Ur
Abram and his wife Sarai, along with their household, leave their homeland of Ur under God's command to journey to an unknown land that God will show them.
c. 2080 BC
Abram and Sarai in Canaan
Abram and Sarai settle in Canaan, but as years pass without offspring, Sarai, in her desperation, suggests Abram have a child with her servant Hagar.
c. 2079 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Hagar conceives and bears Ishmael to Abram, a son born according to the flesh, not according to the promise, which would lead to future conflict.
c. 2066 BC
This passage directly details God's promise to Abraham and Sarah concerning their son, Isaac, highlighting the miraculous nature of Sarah's conception given their advanced age, which is the very event the author of Hebrews points to as an act of faith.
Romans 4:19-21Paul explicitly draws a parallel between Abraham's faith and Sarah's, noting that Abraham 'considered that God was able to raise people from the dead,' which echoes Sarah's conviction in God's faithfulness despite the impossibility of her natural situation.
Hebrews 10:23This verse, which speaks of holding fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, sets the stage for Sarah's story, emphasizing the importance of believing God's promises even when circumstances are dire.
Galatians 4:28-31Paul uses the contrasting births of Isaac (by promise and faith) and Ishmael (according to the flesh) to illustrate the principle that believers are children of promise, directly referencing Sarah's experience as central to this theological point.
ellicottHebrews 11:11: "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised."
(11) Through faith also Sara herself. —Rather, By faith Sarah herself also, or, even Sarah herself. This emphatic introduction of the name of Sarah may point to the unbelief which for a brief while she displayed ( Genesis 18:12 ); but the words may simply mean, “Sarah also, on her part”—the joint recipient with…
vincentHebrews 11:11: "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised."
SarahFaith prevailing against natural impossibilities. See Romans 4:19-22. Both Abraham and Sarah doubted at first (Genesis 17:17; Genesis 18:12); but both became persuaded of the truthfulness of the promise.Herself (αὐτὴ)She who at first doubted.To conceive seed (εἰς καταβολὴν σπέρματος)In every other ins…
The verse emphasizes Sarah's faith after her initial disbelief and laughter. Her belief wasn't perfect from the start, but it was her eventual decision to trust God's promise, despite all natural impossibilities, that's highlighted here. This shows that even when we falter, God can still work through our eventual commitment to His faithfulness.
This passage continues the author's exploration of faith by highlighting Sarah's story. It follows Abraham's example of obedience and endurance, demonstrating that faith isn't just for men but also for women, even those who initially doubted. The verse emphasizes that Sarah, despite her advanced age and past barrenness, conceived through faith in God's promise, ultimately giving rise to an innumerable posterity.
"By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised." — The verse emphasizes Sarah's faith her initial disbelief and laughter. Her belief wasn't perfect from the start, but it was her eventual decision to trust God's promise, despite all natural i…
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God Reaffirms Covenant with Abram
God appears to Abram (now named Abraham) and Sarai (now named Sarah), reiterates His covenant promises, and institutes circumcision as a sign. The promise of a son born to Sarah is explicitly given.
c. 2065 BC
Birth of Isaac
Against all natural expectations, Sarah, now ninety years old, conceives and gives birth to Isaac, the son of promise, fulfilling God's covenant.
