What Does Hebrews 11:6 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Trust is the weight that carries you toward God, who is present and responsive to those who seek him.
THE MEANING
You come to God through trust: trusting that God is and that he rewards those who seek him out. Coming near and searching for God belong together here; God is present and responsive in the relation you enter.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that seeking God ends in absence or indifference: the verse names God as present and as the one who rewards the seeker.
THE ROOT
πίστις
pistis
GROWS FROM
πιστ-
pist-
Trust, reliance.
The Greek word family behind “faith” includes πιστεύω (pisteuō, trust or rely) and πιστός (pistos, firm or trustworthy). Trust here is something you place your weight on as you come toward God.
ALSO GROWS
pisteuō: Trust, rely, believe.
πιστεύω
This verb is the act of trust the verse names when it says the one who comes must believe that God is.
pistos: Firm, steady, trustworthy.
πιστός
This branch shows the steadiness that makes trust possible as you approach God.
ἐκζητέω
ekzēteō
GROWS FROM
ζητε-
zēte-
Seek, look for, inquire.
“diligently seek” in this verse is ekzēteō. The verb here means to seek out, with ζητέω (zēteō, seek or inquire) at its center. It gives seeking an active, searching quality and places that search alongside God’s response.
ALSO GROWS
zēteō: Seek, look for, inquire.
ζητέω
This is the central seeking action within the more intensive verb used in the verse.
epizēteō: Seek after, desire.
ἐπιζητέω
This related form also describes an active reaching toward what is sought.
μισθαποδότης
misthapodotēs
GROWS FROM
μισθ- + ἀποδο- (misth- + apodo-)
Wage or reward joined with rendering or giving back.
The Greek word translated “rewarder” joins μισθός (misthos, wage or reward) with ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi, render or give back). The verse presents God as the one who responds to the seeker with recompense.
ALSO GROWS
misthos: Wage, reward.
μισθός
This is the reward element in the word describing God as rewarder.
apodidōmi: Render, give back, repay.
ἀποδίδωμι
This is the giving or rendering element in the word, showing God’s response to the seeker.
THE PATTERN
God’s presence is encountered by those who seek, and that encounter bears response.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.THE THREAD
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.Both verses use προσέρχομαι (proserchomai, approach or draw near): Hebrews 11:6 names trust as necessary for coming to God, and Hebrews 10:22 describes that approach as drawing near with full assurance. Trust appears as the assurance with which nearness happens.
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