Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin
but of the living.
Heb 11:17-22
Hebrews Chapter 11:17-22
17. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
17. Fide Abraham obtulit Isaac quum tentatus est; ac unigenitum obtulit quum promissiones accepisset;
18. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 18. Ad quem dictum erat, In Isaac, vocabitur tibi semen: 19. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
19. Quum reputasset Deum etiam ex mortuis posse suscitare; unde eum quoque in similitudine recuperavit.
20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 20. Fide Isaac de futuris benedixis Jacob et Esau. 21. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
21. Fide jacob moriens singulos filios Joseph benedixit, et adoravit ad summitatem virgae ejus.
22. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
22. Fide Joseph moriens de exitufiliorum Israel meminit, et de ossibus suis mandavit.
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, (Jas. 1:13;) he means that God does not tempt us to do evil; for he testifies that this is really done by every man's own lust. At the same time he says not that God does not try our integrity and obedience, though God does not thus search us, as if he knew not otherwise what is hid in our hearts; nay, God wants no probation that he may know us; but when he brings us to the light, that we may by our works show what was before hid, he is said to try or prove us; and then that which is made openly manifest, is said to be made known to God. For it is a very usual