Hebrews Chapter 6
1 Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let's press on to perfection-not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith towards God,
2 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement.
3 This will we do, if God permits.
4 For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame.
7 For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God;
8 but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burnt.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this.
10 For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labour of love which you showed towards his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.
11 We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end,
12 that you won't be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,
14 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you."
15 Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.
17 In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath,
18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us.
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil;
20 where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Footnotes
- Verse 14
- Genesis 22:17
Version: World English Bible
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Hebrews Chapter 6 Guide
This chapter consists of the third appeal and warning. The appeal is that they should leave the first principles and press on to perfection. The things referred to were Jewish, and all have spiritual fulfilment in Christ. Then there occurs the solemn and indeed an awe-inspiring warning.
Much controversy has waged around these verses. There can be no doubt that those described are such as have been brought into living relationship with Christ. Of no unregenerate persons can it be said that they were "enlightened," "tasted of the heavenly gift," "tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come." No person can be a partaker of the Holy Spirit save through faith in Jesus Christ, and all such are born again, and are members of Christ.
The peril described is not stumbling, but falling away, that is, final and positive apostasy. The danger is deliberate, ultimate rejection of Christ.
The supreme illustration of the persistence of faith in the Old Testament is Abraham's. His encouragement was God's oath. Ours is that selfsame oath, ratified in the Person of the High Priest who has entered into .the Holy Place as our Representative.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Hebrews Chapter 6 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The Hebrews are urged to go forward in the doctrine of Christ, and the consequences of apostacy, or turning back, are described. -- (1-8)
- The apostle expresses satisfaction, as to the most of them. -- (9, 10)
- And encourages them to persevere in faith and holiness. -- (11-20)
Verses 1-8
Every part of the truth and will of God should be set before all who profess the gospel, and be urged on their hearts and consciences. We should not be always speaking about outward things; these have their places and use, but often take up too much attention and time, which might be better employed. The humbled sinner who pleads guilty, and cries for mercy, can have no ground from this passage to be discouraged, whatever his conscience may accuse him of. Nor does it prove that any one who is made a new creature in Christ, ever becomes a final apostate from him. The apostle is not speaking of the falling away of mere professors, never convinced or influenced by the gospel. Such have nothing to fall away from, but an empty name, or hypocritical profession. Neither is he speaking of partial declinings or backslidings. Nor are such sins meant, as Christians fall into through the strength of temptations, or the power of some worldly or fleshly lust. But the falling away here mentioned, is an open and avowed renouncing of Christ, from enmity of heart against him, his cause, and people, by men approving in their minds the deeds of his murderers, and all this after they have received the knowledge of the truth, and tasted some of its comforts. Of these it is said, that it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance. Not because the blood of Christ is not sufficient to obtain pardon for this sin; but this sin, in its very nature, is opposite to repentance and every thing that leads to it. If those who through mistaken views of this passage, as well as of their own case, fear that there is no mercy for them, would attend to the account given of the nature of this sin, that it is a total and a willing renouncing of Christ, and his cause, and joining with his enemies, it would relieve them from wrong fears. We should ourselves beware, and caution others, of every approach near to a gulf so awful as apostacy; yet in doing this we should keep close to the word of God, and be careful not to wound and terrify the weak, or discourage the fallen and penitent. Believers not only taste of the word of God, but they drink it in. And this fruitful field or garden receives the blessing. But the merely nominal Christian, continuing unfruitful under the means of grace, or producing nothing but deceit and selfishness, was near the awful state above described; and everlasting misery was the end reserved for him. Let us watch with humble caution and prayer as to ourselves.
Verses 9, 10
There are things that are never separated from salvation; things that show the person to be in a state of salvation, and which will end in eternal salvation. And the things that accompany salvation, are better things than ever any dissembler or apostate enjoyed. The works of love, done for the glory of Christ, or done to his saints for Christ's sake, from time to time, as God gives occasion, are evident marks of a man's salvation; and more sure tokens of saving grace given, than the enlightenings and tastings spoken of before. No love is to be reckoned as love, but working love; and no works are right works, which flow not from love to Christ.
Verses 11-20
The hope here meant, is a sure looking for good things promised, through those promises, with love, desire, and valuing of them. Hope has its degrees, as faith also. The promise of blessedness God has made to believers, is from God's eternal purpose, settled between the eternal Father, Son, and Spirit. These promises of God may safely be depended upon; for here we have two things which cannot change, the counsel and the oath of God, in which it is not possible for God to lie; it would be contrary to his nature as well as to his will. And as He cannot lie; the destruction of the unbeliever, and the salvation of the believer, are alike certain. Here observe, those to whom God has given full security of happiness, have a title to the promises by inheritance. The consolations of God are strong enough to support his people under their heaviest trials. Here is a refuge for all sinners who flee to the mercy of God, through the redemption of Christ, according to the covenant of grace, laying aside all other confidences. We are in this world as a ship at sea, tossed up and down, and in danger of being cast away. We need an anchor to keep us sure and steady. Gospel hope is our anchor in the storms of this world. It is sure and stedfast, or it could not keep us so. The free grace of God, the merits and mediation of Christ, and the powerful influences of his Spirit, are the grounds of this hope, and so it is a stedfast hope. Christ is the object and ground of the believer's hope. Let us therefore set our affections on things above, and wait patiently for his appearance, when we shall certainly appear with him in glory.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.