Ephrem the Syrian : And there are witnesses who testify about it. In fact, even though faith was hidden from the people of the middle generation, it had nonetheless been revealed to those of the first. And there is a proof that reveals what is not evident. What proof? Certainly the one through which the testimony about the people of the first generation was made, that is, the narrative of scripture, that testified about the faith, through which the ancient fathers were put to test. — COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS Oecumenius : "for by it the elders have obtained a good report." By faith, they received a report from God that they were pleasing to Him. "the elders." Who are they? About whom Paul is about to speak. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews Theodoret of Cyrus : He shows both those before the law and those under the law becoming God's friends through faith and enjoying distinction. In this he achieves two things at the same time: he brings out the power of faith (faith accomplishing what the law did not achieve) and provides encouragement to those dispirited at the insurrections of the adversaries, showing everyone in possession of everlasting repute to have traveled through the same storms. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 11