{In faith} (kata pistin). Here a break in the routine
pistei (by faith), "according to faith," either for literary
variety "or to suggest pistis as the sphere and standard of
their characters" (Moffatt). {These all} (houtoi pantes). Those
in verses  9-12  (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob). {Not having the
promises} (m(8820)komisamenoi tas epaggelias). First aorist middle
participle of komiz(935c), to obtain, as in  10:36  11:39 . And yet
the author mentions Abraham ( 6:15 ) as having obtained the
promise. He received the promise of the Messiah, but did not live
to see the Messiah come as we have done. It is in this sense that
we have "better promises." {Greeted them} (aspasamenoi). First
aorist middle participle of aspazomai, to salute ( Mt 5:47 ).
Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day in the dim distance ( Joh
8:56 ). {Strangers} (zenoi). Foreigners. "To reside abroad
carried with it a certain stigma" (Moffatt). But they "confessed"
it ( Ge 23:4  47:9 ). {Pilgrims} (parepid(886d)oi). Late double
compound (para, epi, d(886d)os), a sojourner from another land, in
N.T. only here and  1Pe 1:1  2:11 .