Hebrews 11:18

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 11:18

Of whom it is said ,.... That is, of Isaac, Abraham's own son, whom he offered up; or rather, "to whom it was said", as the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions render it; that is, to Abraham, for to him was this said, Genesis 21:12 that in Isaac shall thy seed be called ; that numerous natural seed of his, which should inherit the land of Canaan; and his special famous seed, the Messiah, to whom the promises were made; See Gill on Romans 9:7 . 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 11:18

Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called; - Genesis 21:12. A numerous posterity had been promised to him. It was there said expressly that this promise was not to be fulfilled through the son of Abraham, by the bondwoman Hagar, but through Isaac. Of course, it was implied that Isaac was to reach manhood, and yet notwithstanding this, and notwithstanding Abraham fully believed it, be prepared deliberately, in obedience to the divine command, to put him to death. The phrase... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:17-18

Hebrews 11:17-18. By faith Namely, by believing that God would perform his promise of giving him a numerous issue, notwithstanding that the command here referred to seemed to contradict and preclude the performance of it; Abraham, when he was tried When God made that glorious trial of him, recorded Genesis 22:9-10; offered up Isaac “In this trial of Abraham’s faith, there was the highest wisdom. For God, to whom all his creatures belong, and who may justly take away the life of any of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-22

Examples of true faith (11:1-22)In the previous chapter the writer asserted that people must join faith to perseverance if they are to enjoy the thing hoped for. He now supports this statement with illustrations from the Old Testament. If people have faith, it means they believe that things hoped for according to God’s promises will be achieved and that unseen powers of God are real. Those with faith look beyond what they see. They know that they cannot explain the existence of the world solely... read more

Group of Brands