“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.”
My Notes
What Does Hebrews 11:6 Mean?
The writer of Hebrews makes a sweeping claim: without faith, pleasing God is impossible. Not difficult — impossible. Faith isn't one of many ways to approach God. It's the only way.
Two beliefs are identified as essential. First: he is. God exists. This seems basic, but it's foundational. You can't come to someone you don't believe is there. Second: he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. God isn't indifferent. He actively rewards those who pursue him.
The word "diligently" (ekzeteo) means to seek out, to search thoroughly. This isn't casual interest. It's intentional pursuit. And the promise is that this pursuit is rewarded — God responds to those who come looking for him.
This verse appears within the "faith chapter" (Hebrews 11), immediately before the catalog of faithful people. It functions as the thesis statement: every person who follows was operating on these two convictions. God is real. And seeking him matters.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Which is harder for you to believe — that God exists, or that he rewards those who seek him?
- 2.What does 'diligently seeking' God look like in your current season?
- 3.How does 'without faith it is impossible to please him' change your approach to spiritual life?
- 4.Where have you been trying to please God through effort rather than faith?
Devotional
Without faith it is impossible to please God. That sentence is either liberating or terrifying, depending on where you stand.
If you've been trying to please God through performance — through being good enough, doing enough, earning enough spiritual credit — this verse says none of it registers without faith. The pleasing starts with trust, not achievement.
Two things you must believe: that God is, and that he rewards those who diligently seek him. God exists and God responds. He's there and he cares that you're coming.
The second belief might be harder than the first. Plenty of people believe God exists. Fewer believe he's actively engaged with those who seek him — that your pursuit isn't wasted, that your prayers aren't bouncing off an empty ceiling, that the searching you're doing is seen and will be met.
He is a rewarder. Not a scorekeeper. Not a distant observer. A rewarder. The one who meets you when you come looking.
Are you diligently seeking? Not perfectly — diligently. With intention, with persistence, with the kind of pursuit that doesn't give up after a few unanswered prayers?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
By faith Noah, being warned of God,.... In the Greek text, Noah is called "Noe", and so the Septuagint interpreters of…
But without faith it is impossible to please him - Without “confidence” in God - in his fidelity, his truth, his wisdom,…
He that cometh to God - The man who professes that it is his duty to worship God, must, if he act rationally, do it on…
The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some…
that he is The object of Faith is both the existence and the Divine government of God. "We trust in the living God, who…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture