11:40

God had foreseen something better for us: In saying “for us,” Paul refers to himself and his fellow “partakers of the heavenly calling.” (Heb 3:1) While the pre-Christian witnesses, such as those discussed in this chapter, looked forward to a reward, God foresaw “something better” for spirit-anointed ones. As part of “Abraham’s offspring” mentioned at Ga 3:29, they would have a direct share in bringing blessings to all the families of the earth. (Ge 22:18) The resurrection of the anointed ones would lead to such privileges as ruling with Christ in heaven, receiving immortality, and even seeing Jehovah himself.​—1Co 15:53 and study note; Heb 12:1, 2; 1Jo 3:2; Re 20:6.

so that they might not be made perfect apart from us: Faithful men and women in pre-Christian times would be “made perfect” after their resurrection to life on earth. But the resurrection of Paul and other anointed Christians would occur earlier than that​—it would happen during Christ’s presence. (See study notes on 1Co 15:23; Php 3:11.) As Jesus’ corulers in heaven, anointed Christians would help the earthly subjects of the Kingdom to reach perfection. So none of the faithful men and women whom Paul discusses in this chapter could be “made perfect apart from” anointed Christians.