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 11:6KJV
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Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:6 mean?

Hebrews 11:6 says that it is impossible to please God without faith, because anyone who comes to God must believe that God exists and that God rewards those who sincerely seek Him. The verse sets faith as a basic requirement for having a relationship with God.

The writer of Hebrews is encouraging Jewish Christians who may be struggling with doubt or persecution. Hebrews 11 is often called the "faith chapter" because it lists examples of people who trusted God. This verse explains that faith is not just believing God exists, but also trusting in God's character and goodness toward those who earnestly look for Him.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:6

  • πίστις (pistis, "faith"): This word means trust, confidence, or belief. In this context, it is not just intellectual agreement, but a deep trust that shapes how a person approaches God.
  • προσερχόμενον (proserchomenon, "cometh"): This word means to approach or come near. It suggests an intentional act of drawing close to God, not just a casual or distant belief.
  • μισθαποδότης (misthapodotēs, "rewarder"): This word means someone who pays wages or gives rewards. The verse emphasizes that God responds positively to those who seek Him, not just that He exists.

Why Hebrews 11:6 matters

  • Hebrews 11:6 clarifies that faith is more than believing in God's existence; it includes trusting that God is good and responds to those who seek Him.
  • The verse highlights that pleasing God is not about rituals or heritage, but about a personal trust and relationship.
  • In the context of Hebrews 11, this verse sets up the examples that follow, showing that all the people listed acted out of this kind of faith.

Where else these words appear

“please” Greek G2100 · used in 3 verses

  • Hebrews 11:5 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.
  • Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

“seek” Greek G1567 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
  • Acts 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
  • Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

“impossible” Greek G102 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
  • Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
  • Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

“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: