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Selected Verse: Hebrews 11:16 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Heb 11:16	Strong Concordance	But [1161] now [3570] they desire [3713] a better [2909] country, that is [5123], an heavenly [2032]: wherefore [1352] God [2316] is [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] [846] to be called [1941] their [846] God [2316]: for [1063] he hath prepared [2090] for them [846] a city [4172].
	King James	But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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 (Luk 20:37-38). He who is Lord and Maker of heaven and earth, and all things therein, when asked, What is Thy name? said, omitting all His other titles, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" [THEODORET]. Not only is He not ashamed, but glories in the name and relation to His people. The "wherefore" does not mean that God's good pleasure is the meritorious, but the gracious, consequence of their obedience (that obedience being the result of His Spirit's work in them in the first instance). He first so "called" Himself, then they so called Him. for--proof of His being "their God," namely, "He hath prepared (in His eternal counsels, Mat 20:23; Mat 25:34, and by the progressive acts of redemption, Joh 14:2) for them a city," the city in which He Himself reigns, so that their yearning desires shall not be disappointed (Heb 11:14, Heb 11:16). a city--on its garniture by God (compare Rev. 21:10-27).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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 (Luk 20:37-38). He who is Lord and Maker of heaven and earth, and all things therein, when asked, What is Thy name? said, omitting all His other titles, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" [THEODORET]. Not only is He not ashamed, but glories in the name and relation to His people. The "wherefore" does not mean that God's good pleasure is the meritorious, but the gracious, consequence of their obedience (that obedience being the result of His Spirit's work in them in the first instance). He first so "called" Himself, then they so called Him.

for--proof of His being "their God," namely, "He hath prepared (in His eternal counsels, Mat 20:23; Mat 25:34, and by the progressive acts of redemption, Joh 14:2) for them a city," the city in which He Himself reigns, so that their yearning desires shall not be disappointed (Heb 11:14, Heb 11:16).

a city--on its garniture by God (compare Rev. 21:10-27).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly - That is, at the time referred to when they confessed that they were strangers and sojourners, they showed that they sought a better country than the one which they had left. They lived as if they had no expectation of a permanent residence on earth, and were looking to another world. The argument of the apostle here appears to be based upon what is apparent from the whole history, that they had a confident belief that the land of Canaan would be given to "their posterity," but as for "themselves" they had no expectation of permanently dwelling there, but looked to a home in the heavenly country. Hence, they formed no plans for conquest; they laid claim to no title in the soil; they made no purchases of farms for cultivation; they lived and died without owning any land except enough to bury their dead. All this appears as if they looked for a final home in a "better country, even a heavenly." Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God - Since they had such an elevated aim, he was willing to speak of himself as their God and Friend. They acted as became his friends, and he was not ashamed of the relation which he sustained to them. The language to which the apostle evidently refers here is what is found in Exo 3:6, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." We are not to suppose that God is ever "ashamed" of anything that he does. The meaning here is, that they had acted in such a manner that it was fit that he should show toward them the character of a Benefactor, Protector, and Friend. For he hath prepared for them a city - Such as they had expected - a heavenly residence; Heb 11:10. There is evidently here a reference to heaven, represented as a city - the new Jerusalem - prepared for his people by God himself; compare the notes on Mat 25:34. Thus, they obtained what they had looked for by faith. The wandering and unsettled patriarchs to whom the promise was made, and who showed all their lives that they regarded themselves as strangers and pilgrims, were admitted to the home of permanent rest, and their posterity was ultimately admitted to the possession of the promised land. Nothing could more certainly demonstrate that the patriarchs believed in a future state than this passage. They did not expect a permanent home on earth. They made no efforts to enter into the possession of the promised land themselves. They quietly and calmly waited for the time when God would give it to their posterity, and in the meantime for themselves they looked forward to their permanent home in the heavens. Even in this early period of the world, therefore, there was the confident expectation of the future state; compare the notes on Mat. 22:3l-32. We may remark, that the life of the patriarchs was, in all essential respects, such as we should lead. They looked forward to heaven; they sought no permanent possessions here; they regarded themselves as strangers and pilgrims on the earth. So should we be. In our more fixed and settled habits of life; in our quiet homes; in our residence in the land in which we were born, and in the society of old and tried friends, we should yet regard ourselves as "strangers and sojourners." We have here no fixed abode. The houses in which we dwell will soon be occupied by others; the paths in which we go will soon be trod by the feet of others; the fields which we cultivate will soon be plowed and sown and reaped by others. Others will read the books which we read; sit down at the tables where we sit; lie on the beds where we repose; occupy the chambers where we shall die, and from whence we shall be removed to our graves. If we have any permanent home, it is in heaven; and that we have, the faithful lives of the patriarchs teach us, and the unerring word of God everywhere assures us.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Now they desire (νΰν ὀρέγονται) Νῦν now is logical: as the case now stands. For ὀρέγονται desire, see on Ti1 3:1. Is not ashamed (οὐκ ἐπαισχύνεται) Because they have commended themselves to God by their faith, so that he acknowledges them as his own. Comp. Heb 2:11; Mar 8:28, Mar 8:38; Rom 1:16; Ti2 1:8, Ti2 1:16. To be called their God (Θεὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι αὐτῶν) Lit. to be surnamed. Comp. Act 4:36; Act 10:5, Act 10:18, Act 10:32. God was called the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. See Exo 3:6. For he hath prepared for them a city (ἡτοίμασιν γὰρ αὐτοῖς πόλιν) Comp. Mat 25:34; Joh 14:2; Rev 21:2. City is significant, as showing that the fulfillment of God's promise lies in introducing them into the perfection of social life. Comp. Rev 3:12; Rev 21:2, Rev 21:10; Rev 22:19.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
But they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly - This is a full convincing proof that the patriarchs had a revelation and a promise of eternal glory in heaven. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: seeing he hath prepared for them a city - Worthy of God to give.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
But now they desire a better - They all expected spiritual blessings, and a heavenly inheritance; they sought God as their portion, and in such a way and on such principles that he is not ashamed to be called their God; and he shows his affection for them by preparing for them a city, to wit, heaven, as themselves would seek no city on earth; which is certainly what the apostle has here in view. And from this it is evident that the patriarchs had a proper notion of the immortality of the soul, and expected a place of residence widely different from Canaan. Though to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the promises were made in which Canaan was so particularly included, yet God did not give them any inheritance in that country, no, not so much as to set a foot on; Act 7:5. Therefore, if they had not understood the promises to belong to spiritual things, far from enduring, as seeing him who is invisible, they must have considered themselves deceived and mocked. The apostle therefore, with the highest propriety, attributes their whole conduct and expectation to faith.

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¹⁶ But [1161] now [3570] they desire [3713] a better [2909] country, that is [5123], an heavenly [2032]: wherefore [1352] God [2316] is [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] [846] to be called [1941] their [846] God [2316]: for [1063] he hath prepared [2090] for them [846] a city [4172].

¹⁴ For [1063] they that say [3004] such things [5108] declare plainly [1718] that [3754] they seek [1934] a country [3968].

² In [1722] my [3450] Father's [3962] house [3614] are [1526] many [4183] mansions [3438]: if it were not [1490] so, I would have told [302] [2036] you [5213]. I go [4198] to prepare [2090] a place [5117] for you [5213].

³⁴ Then [5119] shall the King [935] say [2046] unto them on [1537] his [846] right hand [1188], Come [1205], ye blessed [2127] of my [3450] Father [3962], inherit [2816] the kingdom [932] prepared [2090] for you [5213] from [575] the foundation [2602] of the world [2889]:

²³ And [2532] he saith [3004] unto them [846], Ye shall drink [4095] indeed [3303] of my [3450] cup [4221], and [2532] be baptized [907] with the baptism [908] that [3739] I [1473] am baptized with [907]: but [1161] to sit [2523] on [1537] my [3450] right hand [1188], and [2532] on [1537] my [3450] left [2176], is [2076] not [3756] mine [1699] to give [1325], but [235] it shall be given to them for whom [3739] it is prepared [2090] of [5259] my [3450] Father [3962].

³⁷ Now [1161] that [3754] the dead [3498] are raised [1453], even [2532] Moses [3475] shewed [3377] at [1909] the bush [942], when [5613] he calleth [3004] the Lord [2962] the God [2316] of Abraham [11], and [2532] the God [2316] of Isaac [2464], and [2532] the God [2316] of Jacob [2384].
³⁸ For [1161] he is [2076] not [3756] a God [2316] of the dead [3498], but [235] of the living [2198]: for [1063] all [3956] live [2198] unto him [846].

¹⁰ For [1063] he looked for [1551] a city [4172] which hath [2192] foundations [2310], whose [3739] builder [5079] and [2532] maker [1217] is God [2316].

⁶ Moreover he said [0559], I am the God [0430] of thy father [01], the God [0430] of Abraham [085], the God [0430] of Isaac [03327], and the God [0430] of Jacob [03290]. And Moses [04872] hid [05641] his face [06440]; for he was afraid [03372] to look [05027] upon God [0430].

¹⁹ And [2532] if [1437] any man [5100] shall take away [851] from [575] the words [3056] of the book [976] of this [5129] prophecy [4394], God [2316] shall take away [851] his [846] part [3313] out of [575] the book [976] of life [2222], and [2532] out of [1537] the holy [40] city [4172], and [2532] from the things which are written [1125] in [1722] this [5026] book [975].

¹⁰ And [2532] he carried [667] me [3165] away [667] in [1722] the spirit [4151] to [1909] a great [3173] and [2532] high [5308] mountain [3735], and [2532] shewed [1166] me [3427] that great [3173] city [4172], the holy [40] Jerusalem [2419], descending [2597] out of [1537] heaven [3772] from [575] God [2316],

² And [2532] I [1473] John [2491] saw [1492] the holy [40] city [4172], new [2537] Jerusalem [2419], coming down [2597] from [575] God [2316] out of [1537] heaven [3772], prepared [2090] as [5613] a bride [3565] adorned [2885] for her [846] husband [435].

¹² Him [846] that overcometh [3528] will I make [4160] a pillar [4769] in [1722] the temple [3485] of my [3450] God [2316], and [2532] he shall go [1831] no [3364] more [2089] out [1854]: and [2532] I will write [1125] upon [1909] him [846] the name [3686] of my [3450] God [2316], and [2532] the name [3686] of the city [4172] of my [3450] God [2316], which is [3588] new [2537] Jerusalem [2419], which [3588] cometh down [2597] [2597] out of [1537] heaven [3772] from [575] my [3450] God [2316]: and [2532] I will write upon him my [3450] new [2537] name [3686].

³² Send [3992] therefore [3767] to [1519] Joppa [2445], and [2532] call hither [3333] Simon [4613], whose [3739] surname is [1941] Peter [4074]; he [3778] is lodged [3579] in [1722] the house [3614] of one Simon [4613] a tanner [1038] by [3844] the sea side [2281]: who [3739], when he cometh [3854], shall speak [2980] unto thee [4671].

¹⁸ And [2532] called [5455], and asked [4441] whether [1487] Simon [4613], which [3588] was surnamed [1941] Peter [4074], were lodged [3579] there [1759].

⁵ And [2532] now [3568] send [3992] men [435] to [1519] Joppa [2445], and [2532] call for [3343] one Simon [4613], whose [3739] surname is [1941] Peter [4074]:

³⁶ And [1161] Joses [2500], who [3588] by [5259] the apostles [652] was surnamed [1941] Barnabas [921], (which [3739] is [2076], being interpreted [3177], The son [5207] of consolation [3874],) a Levite [3019], and of the country [1085] of Cyprus [2953],

¹⁶ The Lord [2962] give [1325] mercy [1656] unto the house [3624] of Onesiphorus [3683]; for [3754] he [404] oft [4178] refreshed [404] me [3165], and [2532] was [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] of my [3450] chain [254]:

⁸ Be [1870] not [3361] thou [1870] therefore [3767] ashamed [1870] of the testimony [3142] of our [2257] Lord [2962], nor [3366] of me [1691] his [846] prisoner [1198]: but [235] be thou partaker of the afflictions [4777] of the gospel [2098] according to [2596] the power [1411] of God [2316];

¹⁶ For [1063] I am [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] of the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547]: for [1063] it is [2076] the power [1411] of God [2316] unto [1519] salvation [4991] to every one [3956] that believeth [4100]; to the Jew [2453] first [4412], and [5037] also [2532] to the Greek [1672].

³⁸ Whosoever [3739] [302] therefore [1063] shall be ashamed [1870] of me [3165] and [2532] of my [1699] words [3056] in [1722] this [5026] adulterous [3428] and [2532] sinful [268] generation [1074]; of him [846] also [2532] shall [1870] the Son [5207] of man [444] be ashamed [1870], when [3752] he cometh [2064] in [1722] the glory [1391] of his [846] Father [3962] with [3326] the holy [40] angels [32].

²⁸ And [1161] they answered [611], John [2491] the Baptist [910]: but [1161] some [243] say, Elias [2243]; and [2532] others [243], One [1520] of the prophets [4396].

¹¹ For [1063] both [5037] he that sanctifieth [37] and [2532] they who are sanctified [37] are all [3956] of [1537] one [1520]: for [1223] which [3739] cause [156] he is [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] to call [2564] them [846] brethren [80],

¹ This is a true [4103] saying [3056], If a man [1536] desire [3713] the office of a bishop [1984], he desireth [1937] a good [2570] work [2041].

⁵ And [2532] he gave [1325] him [846] none [3756] inheritance [2817] in [1722] it [846], no, not [3761] so much as to set [968] his foot [4228] on [968]: yet [2532] he promised [1861] that he would give [1325] it [846] to him [846] for [1519] a possession [2697], and [2532] to his [846] seed [4690] after [3326] him [846], when as yet he [846] had [5607] no [3756] child [5043].