King James Version

What Does Hebrews 11:6 Mean?

Hebrews 11:6 in the King James Version says “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a re...” — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6 · KJV

Faith

Context

4

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh . yet: or, is yet spoken of

5

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. moved: or, being wary

8

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.

Read Hebrews 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse establishes the absolute necessity of faith for pleasing God and the essential content of saving faith. The emphatic construction 'chōris de pisteōs' (χωρὶς δὲ πίστεως, 'without faith') followed by 'adunaton' (ἀδύνατον, 'impossible') creates the strongest possible negation—not merely difficult but categorically impossible to please God apart from faith. The verb 'euarestēsai' (εὐαρεστῆσαι, 'to please') means to be fully acceptable or well-pleasing, indicating that works performed without faith, however outwardly impressive, fail to satisfy God's righteous requirements. Two foundational faith components are specified: first, 'that he is' (ὅτι ἔστιν, hoti estin) requires belief in God's existence and reality—not mere intellectual acknowledgment but convinced trust in His personal being. Second, 'that he is a rewarder' (μισθαποδότης γίνεται, misthapodotēs ginetai) means God actively recompenses those who diligently seek Him. The verb 'ekzētousin' (ἐκζητοῦσιν, 'diligently seek') denotes earnest, persistent pursuit rather than casual inquiry. This seeking presupposes confidence that God can be found and will respond to genuine spiritual hunger. The reward is not earned through works but graciously given to those whose faith drives them to pursue intimate knowledge of God Himself.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Writing to Hebrew Christians familiar with the old covenant, the author establishes that the principle of sola fide (faith alone) is not a New Testament innovation but the consistent requirement throughout redemptive history. The examples that follow in Hebrews 11—Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham—demonstrate that every justified person from history was saved by faith, not works. This directly addresses Jewish Christians tempted to return to dependence on Levitical sacrifices, ceremonial law observance, and ethnic identity as the basis for God's acceptance. The author demolishes any confidence in religious performance divorced from heart faith. In the Greco-Roman context, many religions emphasized correct ritual performance and divine appeasement through sacrifice, with little emphasis on personal relationship or inward transformation. Hebrews presents biblical faith as radically different—it requires genuine conviction about God's character and personal trust in His promises. The statement 'without faith it is impossible to please God' would have resonated powerfully in context of Hebrews 10:38, quoting Habakkuk 2:4: 'the just shall live by faith.' For readers facing persecution, this verse provided both warning and encouragement—works-based religion offers false security, but genuine faith in God's character guarantees His reward, even if that reward is delayed until eternity.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is it impossible to please God without faith, even if our actions appear morally good?
  2. What is the difference between believing that God exists and truly trusting in His character and promises?
  3. How does understanding God as 'a rewarder' affect our motivation for seeking Him diligently?
  4. In what ways might religious activity become a substitute for genuine faith in God's person?
  5. What does 'diligently seeking' God look like practically in daily life, and how does it differ from casual spirituality?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
χωρὶς1 of 20

“without”

G5565

at a space, i.e., separately or apart from (often as preposition)

δὲ2 of 20

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

πίστεως3 of 20

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἀδύνατον4 of 20

“it is impossible”

G102

unable, i.e., weak (literally or figuratively); passively, impossible

εὐαρεστῆσαι·5 of 20

“to please”

G2100

to gratify entirely

πιστεῦσαι6 of 20

“believe”

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

γὰρ7 of 20

“him for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

δεῖ8 of 20

“must”

G1163

also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

τὸν9 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προσερχόμενον10 of 20

“he that cometh”

G4334

to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to

τῷ11 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεῷ12 of 20

“to God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὅτι13 of 20

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἔστιν14 of 20

“he is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

καὶ15 of 20

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῖς16 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκζητοῦσιν17 of 20

“of them that diligently seek”

G1567

to search out, i.e., (figuratively)investigate, crave, demand, (by hebraism) worship

αὐτὸν18 of 20

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

μισθαποδότης19 of 20

“a rewarder”

G3406

a renumerator

γίνεται20 of 20

“that he is”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 11:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 11:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 8:17Jeremiah 29:13-14Matthew 6:331 Chronicles 28:9Psalms 105:3-4Luke 12:31

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