After pointing out how recipients of the book of Hebrews believed (correctly) that God created the world, the author moves onto another account from the first few chapters of the book of Genesis.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
Hebrews 11:4 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.11.4.NIV
You probably know this account, but to make sure that we are all on the same page, I encourage you to read Genesis 4:2b-8. Are we all caught up? Good!
Others have tried to figure out what made Abel’s sacrifice more favorable to God than Cain’s sacrifice, and we could speculate ourselves about things like…
- Whether Abel’s was an animal sacrifice, versus an offering of crops
- Whether Abel’s was the best that he had, versus just “any old crops” from Cain
- Whether Abel’s was given at God’s command, versus Cain doing what he thought was best
- Whether Abel’s heart was right, versus Cain’s heart not being right with God
However, maybe it doesn’t matter. After all, if the Bible didn’t clearly spell it out, we probably don’t need to know. What we do know from the book of Hebrews is that Abel’s offering was better, and something in what Abel did demonstrated (or was the result of) his faith.
So, even though Abel was killed before the book of Genesis was written or compiled or edited (probably by Moses), God’s word – in Genesis 4 and Hebrews 11– continues to provide a testimony that Abel acted in faith and offered a better sacrifice. Abel’s actions in faith continue to speak to us as an example. His faith was in Someone greater than even Abel’s own lifetime, and God faithfully testified to that faith millennia later (including when the book of Hebrews was written, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit). In fact, when we read this chapter ourselves, or study a lesson on it, Abel’s faith continues to testify to God’s faithfulness even today.
And, how do we follow Abel’s testimony of faith? I think that Romans 12 gives us some good guidance on that:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.12.1-2.NIV
In fact, I think that Romans 12:3 probably continues those instructions, along with later verses that describe different gifts, used to help the Body of Christ. We show our faith like Abel did, not necessarily by sacrificing from our flocks or herds, but by presenting our very selves as an offering to God: for His glory, for His purpose, and for His mission. Let’s remember that our faith is not merely a hollow belief or a box that we check on a form when asked about our religion. If we really have faith, it can’t help but show, and ideally – like Abel – your and my faith will outlast us (unless Jesus returns first), doing good even after we have gone on to something better.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for April 12, 2026
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Hebrews, by Jim Girdwood and Peter Verkruyse. © 1997 College Press Publishing Co.
