11:17

he was tested: Paul here highlights the greatest test of faith that Abraham ever faced​—that is, when God asked him to offer up his son Isaac. (Ge 22:1-14) In other contexts, the Greek verb rendered “was tested” has been translated “be tried” (Jas 1:13 and study notes) or “be tempted” (1Co 10:13). But here, as one lexicon explains, it conveys the idea “to endeavor to discover the nature or character of someth[ing] by testing.” (2Co 13:5 and study note) Abraham had already faced many tests and trials, and he had remained faithful in every situation. (Ge 12:1, 14, 15; 14:14; 15:2, 3; 20:2; Heb 11:8, 9) By asking him to offer up his son, Jehovah gave Abraham an opportunity to prove fully the depth of his faith.​—Jas 2:21-23.

as good as offered up: The Greek word for “offer up” occurs twice in this verse. In the first instance, the Greek verb is in the perfect (completed) tense, and it is rendered “as good as offered up.” Abraham had such strong faith that in his heart it was as if he had already “offered up” Isaac. Abraham was fully determined to do what Jehovah had requested, trusting that Jehovah could restore Isaac’s life. (See study note on Heb 11:19.) In the second instance, the Greek verb is in the imperfect tense. This tense can describe an action​—such as this one​—that was intended or attempted but not carried out to completion. Therefore, the verb is here appropriately rendered attempted to offer up.​—Ge 22:9-14.

his only-begotten son: The Greek word mo·no·ge·nesʹ, traditionally rendered “only-begotten,” has been defined as “the only one of its kind; one and only; unique.” (Compare study note on Joh 3:16.) Though Abraham fathered Ishmael by Hagar and several sons by Keturah (Ge 16:15; 25:1, 2; 1Ch 1:28, 32), Isaac was “only-begotten” in more than one sense. He was the only son whom God specifically promised to Abraham and who was miraculously conceived by Sarah. (Ge 17:16-19; 21:12) Additionally, at the time that Abraham “attempted to offer up” Isaac, this son was the “only son” in Abraham’s household. (Ge 22:2) Ishmael and his mother, Hagar, had been dismissed (Ge 21:14, 20, 21), and Abraham’s other sons by Keturah had not yet been born. It is also worth noting that the Jewish writer Josephus, who was aware of Abraham’s other children, called Isaac Abraham’s “only son,” using the same Greek word.​—Jewish Antiquities, I, 222 (xii, 1).