What Makes Men Please God
W. Gouge. Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him… There are four things which must concur to please God — all which are accomplished by faith, and by nothing else. 1. The person of him that pleaseth God must be accepted of God (Titus 1:15). God had respect unto Abel (Genesis 4:4). 2. The matter that pleaseth God must be agreeable to His will (chap. 13:21; Romans 12:2). 3. The manner of doing that which pleaseth God must be with due respect to God, and that is in these and other like particulars — (1) In obedience to God: because He has demanded it. In this case we must say as Peter did, "At Thy word I will do it" (Luke 5:5). (2) In humility, denying of ourselves, as he that said, "Not I, but the grace of God which is with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10). (3) In sincerity, as having to do with Him that searcheth the heart. Thus did Hezekiah (Isaiah 38:3). (4) With sedulity: like the two faithful servants with whom the Lord was well pleased; but not like the slothful servant (Matthew 25:20, &c.). (5) With alacrity and cheerfulness: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). (6) Within compass of our Calling (1 Corinthians 7:17). (7) With constancy. If any draw back, God's soul will have no pleasure in him (Hebrews 9:38). (8) In assurance that God, who accepteth the person, accepteth also the work that is done. Hereby did Manoah's wife infer that God was pleased with that which they did (Judges 13:23). 4. The end, which is God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). The foresaid four general points are those four causes whereby everything is made perfect. Faith is the means whereby all of them may be effected and accomplished. (1) By faith in Christ the person is accepted of God (Ephesians 1:6). (2) Faith makes men subject themselves to God's will. (3) Faith makes men have respect, even to the manner of what they do to Godward; that it be done in obedience, in humility, in sincerity, with sedulity, with alacrity, orderly, constantly, and with assurance of God's acceptance. All these may be exemplified in Enoch. (4) Faith, of all graces, most aimeth at God's glory. (W. Gouge.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn't see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.