Word Studies - Part 12

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
(NKJV)

Strong’s # 1567 ekzeteo (ek-zay-teh´-o)


Lexicons/Bible Dictionaries

Strong’s – to search out, to investigate, crave, demand, worship; to enquire, seek after (carefully, diligently)

Vine’s – to seek out or search for, to search diligently, to require or demand

Word Study (NT) – to seek out, or search diligently for anything that has been lost, to seek in order to obtain, to seek after God in a sincere desire to obtain His favor

Analytical Greek Lexicon – to seek out, to investigate diligently, to scrutinize, to ask for, to seek earnestly after

Thayer – to seek out, to search for, to investigate, to scrutinize

NASB Greek – seek out, demand, enquire

NIV Greek – seek out, seek earnestly

NIDNTT – seek, search for, seek after, strive for


Translations

KJV – 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.

NASB95 – And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

ESV – And 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.

NLT – So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

AMP – But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

NIV – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

MSG – It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

NRSV – And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Darby -- But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]. For he that draws near to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them who seek him out.

Young’s – and apart from faith it is impossible to please well, for it behoveth him who is coming to God to believe that He is, and to those seeking Him He becometh a rewarder.


Commentaries

Wesley – The Lord is sought through prayer, worship, and the study of scriptures. One must seek for the Lord in an attitude of trust and faith.

Barnes’ – Unless one believes that God will hear one’s prayers, and has faith that He exists there is no reason to seek out God or to call on Him. One cannot approach or seek deliberately what one does not believe exists.

Clarke – One truly seeking the Lord seeks out of faith, not for the recognition of any one else. This person is honest and transparent in worship to the Lord and understands that one can only please God through faith.

McGee – The honest heart seeking God finds the gift of His salvation.

Expositor’s – To earnestly seek God one must believe that God exists, and that He really does care. Also, there is an implication in this passage of seeking God through worship.

Life Application – To honestly seek God requires that one act in faith, and on the knowledge that God has revealed, all the knowledge regarding God that one possesses. When one finds God, one must devote oneself wholeheartedly to God, and continue seeking more of Him.

Barclay – In searching for God one must be completely convinced not only of God’s existence, but also that He cares for humanity and is actively involved in situations that humanity finds itself in. Jesus Christ Himself came to earth to reveal to humanity just how much He loves.

Pink – One cannot truly seek God until one is aware of one’s sinful condition, and the need for a Savior, and this knowledge comes as the Holy Spirit works in on one’s heart before salvation. To seek God one must seek Him in faith, with a firm belief of His existence and generosity, and that God has revealed Himself in His Word, in His interaction with Humanity, in His creation or His Works, and in Jesus Christ. Additionally, God must be sought for who He really is, and not who the seeker wants Him to be.


Word Application

One cannot find the Lord unless one diligently seeks Him. Unfortunately, many seek more diligently for a new holiday outfit than for the Lord. Anything or anyone else we seek other than the Lord only results in temporary pleasure and satisfaction. It is only the search for the Lord that provides a lasting satisfaction that results in eternal life, and a relationship with the Almighty God.
Searching for God can be compared to a detective searching for a solution to the case, or a doctor searching for a cure for the disease as both the detective and the doctor will search with focus, determination, and will not give up the search until the answer is found. A believer may follow this determined example by searching for the Lord through prayer, worship, and Bible study until He is found. The key difference between the detective, the doctor, and the believer is that while the detective and doctor will stop when the answer is found, the believer will continue to search for more of the Lord resulting in a life-long search.