Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, TRIED, [ peirazomenos (G3985)] - 'tempted,' as in Genesis 22:1. Put to the proof of his faith. Not that God 'tempts' to sin, but in the sense proves (James 1:13). OFFERED UP, [ proseneenochen (G4374)] - 'hath offered up,' as if the work and its praise were yet enduring (Alford). In intention he did sacrifice Isaac; in actual fact he "offered" him, as far as the presentation to God is concerned. AND - and so. He that had rece...

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 highest excellency of Abraham was the sacrificing of his son:” for God is said to have then in an especial manner tried him. And yet this act flowed from faith; then Abraham had nothing more excellent than faith, which brought forth such extraordinary fruit. The word, _tempted _or _tried_, means no other thing than proved. What James says, that we are not tempted by God, is to be understood differently,...

8-19 We are often called to leave worldly connexions, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises. The trial of Abraham's faith was, that he simply and fully obeyed the call of God. Sarah received the promise as the promise of God; being convinced of that, she truly judged that he both could and would perform it. Many, who have a part in the promises, do not soon receive the things promised. Faith can lay hold of blessings at a great distance; can make them present; can love them and rejoice in them, though strangers; as saints, whose home is heaven; as pilgrims, travelling toward their home. By faith, they overcome the terrors of death, and bid a cheerful farewell to this world, and to all the comforts and crosses of it. An...

Verse 17. _ABRAHAM, WHEN HE WAS TRIED_] See the history of this whole transaction explained at large in the notes on Genesis 22:1. _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 legitimate wife, who was heir to his property, and heir of the promises of God. The man who proved faithful in such a trial, deserved to have his faith and obedience recorded throughout the world....

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 place

EXPOSITION HEBREWS 11:1 NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE _ _OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN. On the senses in which the word ὑπόστασις (translated "substance") may be used, see under Hebrews 1:2. As to the sense intended here, views differ. There are three possible ones, expressed in the text and margin of the A.V., _substance, ground, _and _confidence. _The first is understood by the Fathers generally, the idea being supposed to be that, inasmuch as things not yet experienced, but only hoped for, become real to us by faith, faith is metaphysically their substance, as substantiating them to us. So Theophilus: Οὐσίωσις τῶν μήπω ὄντων ὑπόστασις τῶν μὴ ὑφεστηκότων:_ _and Chrysostom, who

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 preserver of it; and he has a right to dispose of it, and to take it away, when, and by what means, and instruments, he thinks fit; to which may be added, that the secret will of God was not that Isaac should die, but a command was given to Abraham to offer him up, for the trial of his faith and love; this was a temptation of probation, not of seduction, or to sin, as are the temptations of Satan; for God temp...

This is the Arc de Triomphe erected to the memory of the heroes of faith, whose names are here recorded by the apostle's inspired pen, with a brief mention of some of their most memorable actions. If it had not been for their faith, which moved them to accomplish such valiant deeds, we might not have known anything about them. Hebrews 11:1. _Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,_ Though the «things» are only «hoped for» and «not seen» at present, the eye of faith can see them, and the hand of faith can grasp them. Faith is more mighty than any of our senses, or than all our senses combined. Hebrews 11:2. _For by it the elders obtained a good report._ It is noteworthy that they obtained this «good report» by thei

HEBREWS 11:17 prosenh,nocen VAbraa.m to.n VIsaa.k peirazo,menoj The evidence for the inclusion and for the position of the name VAbraa,m fluctuates curiously: (_a_) most witnesses read prosenh,nocen VAbraa.m…; (_b_) a few Western witnesses (D itd) read…peirazo,menoj VAbraa,m; (_c_) 1912 reads VAbraa.m prosenh,nocen…; (_d_) 1245 1611 arm read…VAbraa.m peirazo,menoj; and (_e_) the name is omitted by î46 Y 330 2005 syrh Chrysostom. On the one hand, if the name were not original, the fact that verses...

IV. PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS AND EXHORTATIONS CHAPTER 11 _ 1. Faith in regard to creation and salvation (Hebrews 11:1)_ 2. The patience of faith (Hebrews 11:8) 3. The energy of faith (Hebrews 11:23) Hebrews 11:1 The disastrous effect of unbelief has been pointed out in the earlier part of this epistle (Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 3:19; Hebrews 4:2) a