Hebrews 11:15

And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

And {G2532} truly {G3303}, if {G1487} they had been mindful {G3421} of that {G1565} country from {G575} whence {G3739} they came out {G1831}, they might {G302} have had {G2192} opportunity {G2540} to have returned {G344}.

Now if they were to keep recalling the one they left, they would have an opportunity to return;

If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.

Hebrews 11:15 is a profound statement found within the famous "Hall of Faith" chapter, which extols the virtues of faith through the examples of Old Testament figures.

Context of Hebrews 11:15

This verse immediately follows the description of the patriarchs and matriarchs, particularly Abraham and Sarah, who lived as strangers and pilgrims on earth, confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13). They were promised a land, but their gaze was fixed on something far greater than an earthly inheritance. The author of Hebrews highlights their unwavering commitment to God's call, even when it meant leaving behind the familiar and comfortable.

Abraham, for instance, obeyed God's command to leave his homeland in Ur of the Chaldees, not knowing exactly where he was going. This verse reflects on the choice they continuously made: to press forward in faith rather than retreat to their former lives.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Faith's Forward Gaze: The verse emphasizes that true faith looks forward, not backward. If the patriarchs had longed for their old home, they could have easily returned. Their failure to do so demonstrates their commitment to God's promise and their heavenly hope. This aligns with the idea that no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.
  • Pilgrim Mentality: It reinforces the theme that believers are not rooted in this world but are journeying toward a better, eternal destination. Their earthly existence is temporary, and their true citizenship is in heaven, as Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20.
  • Divine Purpose Over Earthly Comfort: The patriarchs chose the uncertainty of God's path over the security and familiarity of their past. This highlights the sacrifice and perseverance inherent in a life of faith, valuing God's calling above worldly comforts and attachments.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "mindful of that [country]" comes from the Greek word mnēmoneuō (μνημονεύω), which means more than just a fleeting thought. It implies to "call to mind," "remember," or "be concerned about." If they had given serious consideration or longed for their original patris (πατρίς), their "fatherland" or "native country," they would have had the means and opportunity to go back. The fact that they did not, speaks volumes about their internal commitment to God's vision for their future.

Practical Application

For believers today, Hebrews 11:15 serves as a powerful reminder about the nature of our spiritual journey. It challenges us to:

  • Resist the Urge to Revert: Just as the patriarchs could have returned to their old lives, we often face temptations to fall back into old habits, former ways of thinking, or worldly comforts after committing to Christ. This verse encourages us to press on.
  • Maintain an Eternal Perspective: Our ultimate home is not here on earth. By focusing on the "better, that is, an heavenly country" (Hebrews 11:16), we gain strength to endure present difficulties and remain faithful to God's calling.
  • Persevere in Faith: The life of faith requires continuous forward movement. Like the patriarchs, we are called to live by faith, not by sight, and to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 24:6

    And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.

  • Genesis 24:8

    And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.

  • Genesis 12:10

    ¶ And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land.

  • Genesis 32:9

    ¶ And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

  • Genesis 32:11

    Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, [and] the mother with the children.

  • Genesis 11:31

    And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

  • Genesis 31:18

    And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

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