Hebrews 11:4

By faith. See on verses 1, 3.

Abel. For the record of the incident here referred to see Genesis 4:3-10.

Obtained witness. Literally, “was witnessed to.” The clause may be rendered, “by which he was approved as righteous” (see on verse 2). By faith Abel grasped the promise of a Redeemer. His offering had no atoning value in itself, but faith in the promise led him to bring the sacrifice God had prescribed. God accepted his “gifts” as evidence of his faith.

God testifying. God accepted Abel’s “gifts” and refused those of Cain. The difference was not simply in the character of the gifts themselves, but also in the character and attitude of the givers as reflected in the gifts they brought (see PP 71, 72).

Yet speaketh. Abel’s faith has borne a living witness down through the centuries. There was power in Abel’s faith that led him to conform to the course of action God had prescribed, and the powerful influence of his faith lives on today — it “yet speaketh.”