The Meaning of Hebrews 11:4: Faith That Still Speaks

Context of Hebrews 11:4

This verse draws from the well-known story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4, where two brothers bring offerings to God, but only one is received with favor.

In Genesis 4:3-5, Abel offers the firstborn of his flock, and God looks with approval on his sacrifice. Cain offers produce from the ground, but God does not accept his offering - though the text doesn’t immediately explain why. Later revelation, like Hebrews 11:4, makes clear it was faith, not the type of offering alone, that made Abel’s act pleasing to God.

The author of Hebrews uses this story to show that from the very beginning, right standing with God has always depended on faith, not on religious effort or outward performance.

Why Abel's Sacrifice Was Better: Faith, Not Form

Building on the idea that faith, not outward performance, defines true worship, Hebrews 11:4 dives deeper into what made Abel's sacrifice acceptable where Cain's failed.

The Greek word πίστει (pistei), meaning 'by faith,' is key - it shows Abel acted out of active trust in God, not religious duty. His offering was πλείων θυσία - a 'greater sacrifice' - not in size or type, but in spiritual quality, because it came from a heart aligned with God. This distinction matters because some in the early church struggled with the idea that faith alone, apart from rituals or works, brings righteousness.

The author of Hebrews is pushing back against a common belief in that era: that God's favor could be earned through correct religious actions - like bringing an offering. But here, Abel is called 'righteous' not because he followed rules perfectly, but because his faith made his act of worship meaningful. This echoes Jeremiah 4:23, which describes a world 'formless and empty' - a reminder that without God's creative word, nothing has true substance. Likewise, without faith, even a proper sacrifice is spiritually empty. The point isn't that animals are better than crops, but that a gift given in trust reflects a relationship, while one given out of obligation does not. This redefines righteousness: it's not about what you bring, but the heart posture behind it.

Later, in Hebrews 11:6, the author makes this explicit: 'without faith it is impossible to please God.' Abel's story proves that from the beginning, God has always looked past the surface. His acceptance of Abel's gift wasn't arbitrary - it was a response to a believing heart. That's why, though Abel died, his faith still 'speaks' to us today.

It wasn't the lamb that made Abel righteous - it was the living trust behind the offering.

This sets up the next example - Noah - who also acted on unseen realities. Like Abel, Noah didn't see the flood, but he trusted God enough to build. Faith, as these stories show, is the thread connecting all who walk with God.

Faithful Offering Today: Worship That Pleases God

Abel's story reveals the nature of real worship: offering our lives to God out of trust, not obligation, a concept that extends beyond ancient sacrifices.

Today, we don't bring lambs or grain, but the heart behind our giving, service, and praise still matters deeply to God. We live by faith in God's promises, even when results aren't visible, following Abel's example of acting on what he couldn't see.

True worship isn't about getting the ritual right - it's about coming to God with a heart that trusts Him.

This connects directly to the good news of Jesus: like Abel's gift, our acceptance with God doesn't come from perfect performance, but from trusting Him. Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear: 'without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.'

Abel's Blood and Christ's: The Faith That Speaks Life

Abel’s faith still speaks today, but the Bible reveals an even greater voice: the blood of Jesus, which speaks more powerfully than Abel’s ever could.

Hebrews 12:24 draws this sharp contrast: we have come 'to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.' While Abel’s blood cried out from the ground in Genesis 4:10, signaling guilt and judgment, Christ’s blood cries out from heaven with mercy, cleansing, and peace.

Romans 3:22 affirms that 'the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ' is for all who believe. We are made righteous by faith through trusting in Christ’s finished work, similar to how Abel was made righteous by faith. 1 John 3:12 echoes this, warning against being 'like Cain,' who acted out of evil and jealousy, and calling us instead to love in action and truth. These passages together show that the old story of sacrifice has reached its climax: faith now looks not to our offerings, but to Christ’s.

This changes everything in daily life. When we fail, we don’t strive to earn favor - we remember that Christ’s blood has already spoken our pardon. In church communities, this means we don’t measure one another by performance, but by grace, extending the same patience God gives us. It frees us to give, serve, and love not out of fear, but from a quiet confidence in God’s acceptance.

Abel’s blood cried out from the ground, but Christ’s blood speaks a better word - forgiveness, not condemnation.

Abel’s faithful witness outlived his death, and similarly, our lives - rooted in Christ’s greater sacrifice - can speak hope into a world shaped by rivalry and shame. This is the faith that transforms not only individuals, but entire communities, pointing always to the Savior whose blood brings peace.

Application