
Heb. 11:1 Now faith (to the saving of the soul) is the substance ofthings hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
The Holy Spirit picked certain individuals who, by having faith to the saving of the soul, pleased God and as a result, they obtained a good testimony.
Contextually, God Himself testified, bore record and/or had a good (honest) report of the individuals mentioned in Heb. 11.
Heb. 11 begins and ends with the same statement regarding the individuals in view having obtained a good testimony on account of their faith, to the saving of the soul–Heb. 11:2 For by it (faith to the saving of the soul) the elders obtained a good testimony…39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith (to the saving of the soul), did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.