Cain . 220 As such , the author of 1 John was undoubtedly familiar with and influenced by the LXX in the composition of the epistle .
Hebrews 11:4 Πίστει πλείονα θυσίαν Ἅβελ παρὰ Κάϊν προσήνεγκεν τῷ θεῷ , διʼ ἧς ἐμαρτυρήθη εἶναι δίκαιος , μαρτυροῦντος ἐπὶ τοῖς δώροις αὐτοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ , καὶ διʼ αὐτῆς ἀποθανὼν ἔτι λαλεῖ .
By faith , Abel presented a greater sacrifice than Cain to God , by which he was testified as being righteous , and through his offering God testified [ by accepting it ]; [ although ] dead [ he ] still speaks by faith . 221
Chapter 11 of the Epistle to the Hebrews is a reflection on faith which is intended to encourage the readers / hearers of the epistle to persevere in their faith . 222 “ The whole [ chapter ] celebrates individuals and groups who exemplify desired attitudes and virtues , trust in God ' s promises and faithful endurance in the face of persecution .” 223 The first individual celebrated and put forth as an exemplar of faith is Abel .
Heb 11:4 asserts that Abel presented to God a greater offering ( πλείονα θυσίαν ) than Cain as it is an offering made by faith ( πίστει ). Through this greater offering , Abel is acknowledged by God as being righteous ( δίκαιος ).
The LXX explicitly says “ if you had offered it correctly , but you did not divide it correctly , you would not have been sinning , would you ?” Philo ( Sacr . AC 52 , 57 , 88 ) refers frequently to the superior quality of Abel ’ s offering and the second-rate quality of Cain ’ s offering . Hebrews ’ s [ sic ] description of Abel ’ s offering as πλείονα shows some awareness of this line of understanding . 224
220 Joel N . Lohr , The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 71 , no . 3 ( 2009 ): 494 . 221 Translation by the author . 222 R . Walter L . Moberly , “ Exemplars of Faith in Hebrews 11 : Abel ,” in The Epistle to the Hebrews and
Christian Theology , Kindle edition , Kindle location 3990-3994 . 223 Harold W . Attridge , “ Hebrews ,” in The Oxford Bible Commentary , edited by John Barton and John Muddiman , ( Oxford : Oxford University Press , 2001 ), 1251 . 224 David Arthur DeSilva , Perseverance in Gratitude : A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Grand Rapids , Mich .: W . B . Eerdmans , 2000 ), 388 .