Hebrews 11:16 NIV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 11:14-16

Hebrews 11:14-16. For they that say such things That speak of themselves as strangers and pilgrims; declare plainly that they seek a country Different from that in which they dwell. Or rather, that they seek their own, or their father’s country, as πατριδα , the word here used, signifies. They show that they keep in view, and long for, their eternal home. And truly if they had been mindful of that country Ur, of the Chaldees; from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 11:1-22

Examples of true faith (11:1-22)In the previous chapter the writer asserted that people must join faith to perseverance if they are to enjoy the thing hoped for. He now supports this statement with illustrations from the Old Testament. If people have faith, it means they believe that things hoped for according to God’s promises will be achieved and that unseen powers of God are real. Those with faith look beyond what they see. They know that they cannot explain the existence of the world solely... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 11:16

now = as a matter of fact. desire . Greek. oregomai. Only here, 1 Timothy 3:1 ; 1 Timothy 6:10 . heavenly . See Hebrews 3:1 . ashamed . See Hebrews 2:11 . Add "of them". Figure of speech Tapeinosis. App-6 . called . Greek. epikaleomai. See Acts 2:21 . hath . Omit. city . See Hebrews 11:10 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Hebrews 11:16

But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.The implicit trust of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in all that God had promised, along with their accounting themselves strangers and pilgrims, was well-pleasing to God; and God was not ashamed of them (although, judged in regard to some of their sinful actions, God might well have had ample reason to be ashamed of some of them), even... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Hebrews 11:16

Hebrews 11:16. But now they desire a better country,— This made them carry their thoughts still further; and since they did not enjoy Canaan, nor see how Canaan could answer their expectations, they desired and expected a better country, that is, an heavenly. They had opportunities enough of returning to their own country, had they thought that the promises made to them were to be fulfilled in that country; but since they were persuaded of the truth of what was promised, and did so sincerely... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 11:16

16. Proving the truth that the old fathers did not, as some assert, "look only for transitory promises" [Article VII, Book of Common Prayer]. now—as the case is. is not ashamed—Greek, "Is not ashamed of them." Not merely once did God call himself their God, but He is NOW not ashamed to have Himself called so, they being alive and abiding with Him where He is. For, by the law, God cannot come into contact with anything dead. None remained dead in Christ's presence (Luke 20:37; Luke 20:38). He... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:8-22

2. Faith in the Patriarchal Era 11:8-22 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 11:13-16

"All these" probably refers to Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob (Hebrews 11:8-9; Hebrews 11:11) who lived as exiled strangers by faith, not all whom the writer had listed to this point. "Strangers and exiles" is probably a hendiadys meaning "exiled strangers." Hebrews 11:13-16 interrupt the recital of Abraham’s acts of faith. Evidently the writer decided to preach a little at this point, the middle of his exposition of the patriarchs’ example. He emphasized the eschatological perspective that... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 11:1-40

Heroes of FaithThe Achievements of Faith, illustrated from the annals of Israel, beginning with the patriarchs and coming down to the martyrs. The writer has already mentioned faith as a necessary condition of a righteous life, and he now proceeds to illustrate the fact that it was by faith that the fathers of the race were able to work righteousness and to endure their trials. Their heroic example ought to encourage the Hebrews to stand fast. The primary purpose, therefore, of this long... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Hebrews 11:16

(16) They confess themselves but sojourners (Hebrews 11:13), and thus make it plain that they are still seeking their true home (14); and yet, if. they had sought nothing more than an earthly home, there is one already, which was once theirs, and to which they might return (15); hence it is no earthly but a heavenly-country that they desire. This is the general current of thought in these verses, presenting a very close analogy to the argument of Hebrews 3:7 to Hebrews 4:11; here, as there,... read more