Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 11:4-31

The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old-Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes:?1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 11:17-19

11:17-19 It was by faith that Abraham offered up Isaac when he was put to the test. He was willing to offer up even his only son, although it had been said to him: "It is in Isaac that your descendants will be named." He was willing to do this for he reckoned that God was able to raise him even from the dead. Hence he did receive him back which is a parable of the resurrection. The Isaac story, told in Genesis 22:1-18 , is that most dramatic account of how Abraham met the supreme test of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham, when he was tried ,.... Or tempted; that is, by God, Genesis 22:1 . This temptation or trial respects the command given by God to Abraham, to offer up his son Isaac; which lays no foundation for a charge against God, either of sin or cruelty; for God's will is the rule of justice and goodness, and whatever he requires is just and good; and though his creatures are bound by the laws he prescribes them, he himself is not: besides, he is the Lord of life, the giver and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:17

Abraham, when he was tried - See the history of this whole transaction explained at large in the notes on Genesis 22:1-9 . Offered up his only-begotten - Abraham did, in effect, offer up Isaac; he built an altar, bound his son, laid him upon the altar, had ready the incense, took the knife, and would immediately have slain him had he not been prevented by the same authority by which the sacrifice was enjoined. Isaac is here called his only-begotten, as be was the only son he had by his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:17

Verse 17 17.By faith Abraham, etc. He proceeds with the history of Abraham, and relates the offering up of his son; and it was a singular instance of firmness, so that there is hardly another like it to be found. Hence for the sake of enhancing it, he adds, when he was tempted, or tried. Abraham had indeed already proved what he was, by many trials; yet as this trial surpassed every other, so the Apostle would have it to be regarded above all his trials. It is then as though he had said, “The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:8-19

Faith of the Hebrew Pilgrim Fathers. What Anglo-Saxon could look without emotion on the granite boulder at New Plymouth—"the corner-stone of a nation"—upon which the Pilgrim Fathers of New England stepped ashore from the Mayflower? And, in like manner, what Jew can think but with enthusiasm of those three glorious names—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? The verses before us were well fitted to stir the hearts' blood of the Hebrews to whom this treatise was addressed. And they should stir ours... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:17-19

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up (literally, hath offered up, denoting an accomplished act of which the significance continues) Isaac: and he that had received (rather, accepted, implying his own assent and belief) the promises offered up his only begotten son, he to whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. The above rendering varies slightly from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:17-19

Faith sorely tried and sublimely triumphant. "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac," etc. Our subject naturally divides itself into two branches. I. FAITH SORELY TRIED . The supreme trial of Abraham's faith will appear if we consider the sacrifice which be was summoned to make. He was commanded: 1. To offer up as a burnt offering his only and much-loved son, Isaac. "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 11:17-19

Abraham's faith in offering Isaac. This is to be considered here as an illustration of faith. All our modern difficulties as to the right and wrong of Abraham's conduct never occurred to the writer of this Epistle. A human sacrifice was not abhorrent to Abraham's views of religious necessity. Here we have simply to look at the faith a father showed when called to give up his only son. See— I. FAITH TRIUMPHING OVER NATURAL INCLINATIONS . Not over natural affections; for... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham - The apostle had stated one strong instance of the faith of Abraham, and he now refers to one still more remarkable - the strongest illustration of faith, undoubtedly, which has ever been evinced in our world.When he was tried - The word used here is rendered “tempted,” in Matthew 4:1, Matthew 4:3; Matthew 16:1; Matthew 19:3; Matthew 22:18, Matthew 22:35, and in twenty-two other places in the New Testament; “prove,” in John 6:6; “hath gone about,” in Acts 24:6; “examine,” 2... read more

Group of Brands