Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child.
5. We must note three firings in this place; that God exercised the patience of his servant, because, after that he had brought him out of his own country, he dwelt in the land of Canaan as a stranger. [First,] For Abraham possessed not one foot’s-breadth, save only that which he bought to bury in. And that is counted no possession which serveth not for the uses of this life.
The high priest speaks with a show of fairness, yet his tone is haughty and his prejudgment plain: if Stephen has spoken such words, he shall be condemned as a blasphemer. But Stephen's answer proves him a man mighty in Scripture, filled with the Holy Ghost not to reveal new secrets, but to bring the Old Testament writings to remembrance and convict his gainsayers.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 7:1-16
And he gave him none inheritance in it,.... To be personally enjoyed by him; and which was a great trial to Abraham's faith, to be brought out of his country, and into another land, and which was promised to him and his; and yet, as not the whole, so not a single part of it was given him to possess: no, not so much as...