Hebrews 11:15

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.

a. NLT: If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back.

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

c. YLT: And if, indeed, they had been mindful of that from which they came forth, they might have had an opportunity to return,

d. Amplified Bible: If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it.

1. “And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out…”

a. And [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. truly [Strong: 3303 men men a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with 1161 (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.]

c. if [Strong: 1487 men men a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with 1161 (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.]

d. [they] had been mindful [Strong: 3421 mnemoneuo mnay-mon-yoo'-o from a derivative of 3420; to exercise memory, i.e. recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse:--make mention; be mindful, remember.] [Zodhiates: To exercise memory, be mindful, remember.] [Vincent: habitually remembered.]

e. of that [country] [Strong: 1565 ekeinos ek-i'-nos from 1563; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those.]

f. from [Strong: 575  apo apo' a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.]

g. whence [Strong: 3739 hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

h. they came out [Strong: 1831 exerchomai ex-er'-khom-ahee from 1537 and 2064; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.]

1). Exposition of Hebrews, Arthur W. Pink, Baker Book House, pp. 730, 731. “Note how positively the apostle expressed it: “And truly”, or “verily.” “If they had been mindful,” which means, had their minds frequently dwelt upon Chaldea, had their hearts desired it. How this shows the great importance of “girding up the loins of our minds” (1 Peter 1:13), of disciplining our thoughts…”

a). 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)

10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2). This is in contrast to Israel after they had been brought out of Egypt. They were constantly thinking of going back to Egypt.

a). Numbers 14:2-4 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would God we had died in this wilderness!

14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall be the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? Were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

14:4 And they said to one another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

3). If we as Christians are constantly thinking in a favorable light of how this life in Christ is so hard or so un-enjoyable and how good life was in sin, there are serious problems in our relationship with God, and it is not God’s fault. If this behavior is not repented of opportunities will present themselves to sin and this Christian will not want to resist.

2. “...they might have had opportunity to have returned.”

a. they might [Strong: 302 an an a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--(what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood.]

b. have had [Strong: 2192 echo ekh'-o, including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; (used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.]

c. opportunity [Strong: 2540 kairos kahee-ros' of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:--X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while.]

d. to have returned [Strong: 344 anakampto an-ak-amp'-to from 303 and 2578; to turn back:--(re-)turn.]

1). If our minds are constantly dwelling on the past, there will be ample opportunity to return.

a). Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.