God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

HEBREWS 11:40KJV
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Hebrews 11:40 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:40 mean?

Hebrews 11:40 says that God planned something better for believers now, so that the faithful people from earlier times would not reach completion or fulfillment apart from those who believe now. The verse teaches that God’s purpose ties together all His people, past and present, in the same promise.

The writer of Hebrews is speaking to Jewish Christians, explaining how the faithful people listed earlier in chapter 11—like Abraham and Moses—were waiting for something greater that would only be completed with the coming of Jesus. The verse shows that God’s plan is not finished with just the heroes of the Old Testament; instead, everyone who trusts God, both before and after Jesus, shares in the same ultimate fulfillment.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:40

  • "provided" (προβλέπω, problepō): This word means to foresee or to plan ahead. The verse uses it to show that God’s actions are not random but carefully planned for the benefit of all His people.
  • "better" (κρείττων, kreittōn): This word means something superior or more excellent. In Hebrews, it often refers to the new covenant and blessings that come through Jesus, showing that what God has given now surpasses what came before.
  • "perfect" (τελειόω, teleioō): This word means to bring to completion or fulfillment. The verse says the faithful from earlier times would not be made complete without those who believe now, highlighting the unity of God’s people across time.

Why Hebrews 11:40 matters

  • Hebrews 11:40 clears up the idea that Old Testament believers received everything God promised right away; instead, their story is connected to later believers through God’s bigger plan.
  • The verse emphasizes that faith in God, whether before or after Jesus, is part of one continuous story, not two separate groups or promises.
  • Hebrews 11:40 ties the whole chapter together, showing that the examples of faith in the past point forward to something greater that includes everyone who trusts in God’s promise.

Where else these words appear

“better” Greek G2909 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
  • Hebrews 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
  • Hebrews 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

“they” Greek G5048 · used in 24 verses

  • Luke 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
  • Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
  • Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

“without” Greek G5565 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
  • Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
  • Hebrews 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

“that” Greek G3363 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
  • John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
  • Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.