Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Hebrews » Chapter 6

Hebrews 6:1-20 King James Version (KJV)

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3 And this will we do, if God permit.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.


Hebrews 6:1-20 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Therefore G1352 leaving G863 the principles G746 of the doctrine G3056 of Christ, G5547 let us go on G5342 unto G1909 perfection; G5047 not G3361 laying G2598 again G3825 the foundation G2310 of repentance G3341 from G575 dead G3498 works, G2041 and G2532 of faith G4102 toward G1909 God, G2316

2 Of the doctrine G1322 of baptisms, G909 and G5037 of laying on G1936 of hands, G5495 and G5037 of resurrection G386 of the dead, G3498 and G2532 of eternal G166 judgment. G2917

3 And G2532 this G5124 will we do, G4160 if G1437 G4007 God G2316 permit. G2010

4 For G1063 it is impossible G102 for those who were once G530 enlightened, G5461 and G5037 have tasted G1089 of the heavenly G2032 gift, G1431 and G2532 were made G1096 partakers G3353 of the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151

5 And G2532 have tasted G1089 the good G2570 word G4487 of God, G2316 and G5037 the powers G1411 of the world G165 to come, G3195

6 If G2532 they shall fall away, G3895 to renew them G340 again G3825 unto G1519 repentance; G3341 seeing they crucify G388 to themselves G1438 the Son G5207 of God G2316 afresh, G388 and G2532 put him to an open shame. G3856

7 For G1063 the earth G1093 which G3588 drinketh in G4095 the rain G5205 that cometh G2064 oft G4178 upon G1909 it, G846 and G2532 bringeth forth G5088 herbs G1008 meet G2111 for them G1565 G2532 by G1223 whom G3739 it is dressed, G1090 receiveth G3335 blessing G2129 from G575 God: G2316

8 But G1161 that which beareth G1627 thorns G173 and G2532 briers G5146 is rejected, G96 and G2532 is nigh G1451 unto cursing; G2671 whose G3739 end G5056 is to G1519 be burned. G2740

9 But, G1161 beloved, G27 we are persuaded G3982 better things G2909 of G4012 you, G5216 and G2532 things that accompany G2192 salvation, G4991 though G1499 we G2980 thus G3779 speak. G2980

10 For G1063 God G2316 is not G3756 unrighteous G94 to forget G1950 your G5216 work G2041 and G2532 labour G2873 of love, G26 which G3739 ye have shewed G1731 G1731 toward G1519 his G846 name, G3686 in that ye have ministered G1247 to the saints, G40 and G2532 do minister. G1247

11 And G1161 we desire G1937 that every one G1538 of you G5216 do shew G1731 the same G846 diligence G4710 to G4314 the full assurance G4136 of hope G1680 unto G891 the end: G5056

12 That G3363 ye be G1096 not G3363 slothful, G3576 but G1161 followers G3402 of them who through G1223 faith G4102 and G2532 patience G3115 inherit G2816 the promises. G1860

13 For G1063 when God G2316 made promise G1861 to Abraham, G11 because G1893 he could G2192 swear G3660 by G2596 no G3762 greater, G3187 he sware G3660 by G2596 himself, G1438

14 Saying, G3004 Surely G2229 G3375 blessing G2127 I will bless G2127 thee, G4571 and G2532 multiplying G4129 I will multiply G4129 thee. G4571

15 And G2532 so, G3779 after he had patiently endured, G3114 he obtained G2013 the promise. G1860

16 For G1063 men G444 verily G3303 swear G3660 by G2596 the greater: G3187 and G2532 an oath G3727 for G1519 confirmation G951 is to them G846 an end G4009 of all G3956 strife. G485

17 Wherein G1722 G3739 God, G2316 willing G1014 more abundantly G4054 to shew G1925 unto the heirs G2818 of promise G1860 the immutability G276 of his G846 counsel, G1012 confirmed G3315 it by an oath: G3727

18 That G2443 by G1223 two G1417 immutable G276 things, G4229 in G1722 which G3739 it was impossible G102 for God G2316 to lie, G5574 we might have G2192 a strong G2478 consolation, G3874 who G3588 have fled for refuge G2703 to lay hold G2902 upon the hope G1680 set before us: G4295

19 Which G3739 hope we have G2192 as G5613 an anchor G45 of the soul, G5590 both G5037 sure G804 and G2532 stedfast, G949 and G2532 which entereth G1525 into G1519 that within G2082 the veil; G2665

20 Whither G3699 the forerunner G4274 is G1525 for G5228 us G2257 entered, G1525 even Jesus, G2424 made G1096 an high priest G749 for G1519 ever G165 after G2596 the order G5010 of Melchisedec. G3198


Hebrews 6:1-20 American Standard (ASV)

1 Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3 And this will we do, if God permit.

4 For as touching 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 unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

7 For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God:

8 but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak:

10 for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister.

11 And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end:

12 that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself,

14 saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

15 And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.

17 Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto 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 lay hold of the hope set before us:

19 which we have as an anchor of the soul, `a hope' both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil;

20 whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.


Hebrews 6:1-20 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Wherefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Christ, unto the perfection we may advance, not again a foundation laying of reformation from dead works, and of faith on God,

2 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on also of hands, of rising again also of the dead, and of judgment age-during,

3 and this we will do, if God may permit,

4 for `it is' impossible for those once enlightened, having tasted also of the heavenly gift, and partakers having became of the Holy Spirit,

5 and did taste the good saying of God, the powers also of the coming age,

6 and having fallen away, again to renew `them' to reformation, having crucified again to themselves the Son of God, and exposed to public shame.

7 For earth, that is drinking in the rain many times coming upon it, and is bringing forth herbs fit for those because of whom also it is dressed, doth partake of blessing from God,

8 and that which is bearing thorns and briers `is' disapproved of, and nigh to cursing, whose end `is' for burning;

9 and we are persuaded, concerning you, beloved, the things that are better, and accompanying salvation, though even thus we speak,

10 for God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and the labour of the love, that ye shewed to His name, having ministered to the saints and ministering;

11 and we desire each one of you the same diligence to shew, unto the full assurance of the hope unto the end,

12 that ye may not become slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patient endurance are inheriting the promises.

13 For to Abraham God, having made promise, seeing He was able to swear by no greater, did swear by Himself,

14 saying, `Blessing indeed I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee;'

15 and so, having patiently endured, he did obtain the promise;

16 for men indeed do swear by the greater, and an end of all controversy to them for confirmation `is' the oath,

17 in which God, more abundantly willing to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, did interpose by an oath,

18 that through two immutable things, in which `it is' impossible for God to lie, a strong comfort we may have who did flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before `us',

19 which we have, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and entering into that within the vail,

20 whither a forerunner for us did enter -- Jesus, after the order of Melchisedek chief priest having become -- to the age.


Hebrews 6:1-20 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us go on [to what belongs] to full growth, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God,

2 of [the] doctrine of washings, and of imposition of hands, and of resurrection of [the] dead, and of eternal judgment;

3 and this will we do if God permit.

4 For it is impossible to renew again to repentance those once enlightened, and who have tasted of the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of [the] Holy Spirit,

5 and have tasted the good word of God, and [the] works of power of [the] age to come,

6 and have fallen away, crucifying for themselves [as they do] the Son of God, and making a show of [him].

7 For ground which drinks the rain which comes often upon it, and produces useful herbs for those for whose sakes also it is tilled, partakes of blessing from God;

8 but bringing forth thorns and briars, it is found worthless and nigh to a curse, whose end [is] to be burned.

9 But we are persuaded concerning you, beloved, better things, and connected with salvation, even if we speak thus.

10 For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work, and the love which ye have shewn to his name, having ministered to the saints, and [still] ministering.

11 But we desire earnestly that each one of you shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end;

12 that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience have been inheritors of the promises.

13 For God, having promised to Abraham, since he had no greater to swear by, swore by himself,

14 saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee;

15 and thus, having had long patience, he got the promise.

16 For men indeed swear by a greater, and with them the oath is a term to all dispute, as making matters sure.

17 Wherein God, willing to shew more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, intervened by an oath,

18 that by two unchangeable things, in which [it was] impossible that God should lie, we might have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us,

19 which we have as anchor of the soul, both secure and firm, and entering into that within the veil,

20 where Jesus is entered as forerunner for us, become for ever a high priest according to the order of Melchisedec.


Hebrews 6:1-20 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Therefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection--not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,

2 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

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 brings forth 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 burned.

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 labor of love which you showed toward 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 patience inherited the promises.

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself,

14 saying, "Most surely I will bless you, and I will surely 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.


Hebrews 6:1-20 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 For this reason let us go on from the first things about Christ to full growth; not building again that on which it is based, that is, the turning of the heart from dead works, and faith in God,

2 The teaching of baptisms, and of the putting on of hands, and of the future life of the dead, and of the judging on the last day.

3 Now we will do this, if God lets us.

4 As for those who at one time saw the light, tasting the good things from heaven, and having their part in the Holy Spirit,

5 With knowledge of the good word of God, and of the powers of the coming time,

6 And then let themselves be turned away, it is not possible for their hearts to be made new a second time; because they themselves put the Son of God on the cross again, openly shaming him.

7 For a land, drinking in the frequent rain and producing good plants for those for whom it is worked, has a blessing from God:

8 But if it sends up thorns and evil plants, it is of no use and is ready to be cursed; its only end is to be burned.

9 But, my loved ones, though we say this, we are certain that you have better things in you, things which go with salvation;

10 For God is true, and will not put away from him the memory of your work and of your love for his name, in the help which you gave and still give to the saints.

11 And it is our desire that you may all keep the same high purpose in certain hope to the end:

12 So that you may not be slow in heart, but may take as your example those to whom God has given their heritage, because of their faith and their long waiting.

13 For when God made his oath to Abraham, because there was no greater oath, he made it by himself,

14 Saying, Be certain that I will give you my blessing, and make your numbers very great.

15 And so, when he had been waiting calmly for a long time, God's word to him was put into effect.

16 For men at all times make their oaths by what is greater; and any argument is ended by the decision of the oath.

17 So that when it was God's desire to make it specially clear to those who by his word were to have the heritage, that his purpose was fixed, he made it more certain with an oath;

18 So that we, who have gone in flight from danger to the hope which has been put before us, may have a strong comfort in two unchanging things, in which it is not possible for God to be false;

19 And this hope is like a strong band for our souls, fixed and certain, and going in to that which is inside the veil;

20 Where Jesus has gone before us, as a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Hebrews 6

Commentary on Hebrews 6 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 6

In this chapter the apostle proceeds to persuade the Hebrews to make a better proficiency in religion than they had done, as the best way to prevent apostasy, the dreadful nature and consequences of which sin he sets forth in a serious manner (v. 1-8), and then expresses his good hopes concerning them, that they would persevere in faith and holiness, to which he exhorts them, and sets before them the great encouragement they had from God, both with respect to their duty and happiness (v. 9-20).

Hbr 6:1-8

We have here the apostle's advice to the Hebrews-that they would grow up from a state of childhood to the fullness of the stature of the new man in Christ. He declares his readiness to assist them all he could in their spiritual progress; and, for their greater encouragement, he puts himself with them: Let us go on. Here observe, In order to their growth, Christians must leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ. How must they leave them? They must not lose them, they must not despise them, they must not forget them. They must lay them up in their hearts, and lay them as the foundation of all their profession and expectation; but they must not rest and stay in them, they must not be always laying the foundation, they must go on, and build upon it. There must be a superstructure; for the foundation is laid on purpose to support the building. Here it may be enquired, Why did the apostle resolve to set strong meat before the Hebrews, when he knew they were but babes? Answer.

  • 1. Though some of them were but weak, yet others of them had gained more strength; and they must be provided for suitably. And, as those who are grown Christians must be willing to hear the plainest truths preached for the sake of the weak, so the weak must be willing to hear the more difficult and mysterious truths preached for the sake of those who are strong.
  • 2. He hoped they would be growing in their spiritual strength and stature, and so be able to digest stronger meat.
    • I. The apostle mentions several foundation-principles, which must be well laid at first, and then built upon; neither his time nor theirs must be spent in laying these foundations over and over again. These foundations are six:-
      • 1. Repentance from dead works, that is, conversion and regeneration, repentance from a spiritually dead state and course; as if he had said, "Beware of destroying the life of grace in your souls; your minds were changed by conversion, and so were your lives. Take care that you return not to sin again, for then you must have the foundation to lay again; there must be a second conversion a repenting not only of, but from, dead works.' Observe here,
        • (1.) The sins of persons unconverted are dead works; they proceed from persons spiritually dead, and they tend to death eternal.
        • (2.) Repentance for dead works, if it be right, is repentance from dead works, a universal change of heart and life.
        • (3.) Repentance for and from dead works is a foundation-principle, which must not be laid again, though we must renew our repentance daily.
      • 2. Faith towards God, a firm belief of the existence of God, of his nature, attributes, and perfections, the trinity of persons in the unity of essence, the whole mind and will of God as revealed in his word, particularly what relates to the Lord Jesus Christ. We must by faith acquaint ourselves with these things; we must assent to them, we must approve of them, and apply all to ourselves with suitable affections and actions. Observe,
        • (1.) Repentance from dead works, and faith towards God, are connected, and always go together; they are inseparable twins, the one cannot live without the other.
        • (2.) Both of these are foundation-principles, which should be once well laid, but never pulled up, so as to need to be laid over again; we must not relapse into infidelity.
      • 3. The doctrine of baptisms, that is, of being baptized by a minister of Christ with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the initiating sign or seal of the covenant of grace, strongly engaging the person so baptized to get acquainted with the new covenant, to adhere to it, and prepare to renew it at the table of the Lord and sincerely to regulate himself according to it, relying upon the truth and faithfulness of God for the blessings contained in it. And the doctrine of an inward baptism, that of the Spirit sprinkling the blood of Christ upon the soul, for justification, and the graces of the Spirit for sanctification. This ordinance of baptism is a foundation to be rightly laid, and daily remembered, but not repeated.
      • 4. Laying on of hands, on persons passing solemnly from their initiated state by baptism to the confirmed state, by returning the answer of a good conscience towards God, and sitting down at the Lord's table. This passing from incomplete to complete church membership was performed by laying on of hands, which was extraordinary conveyance of the gift of the Holy Ghost continued. This, once done, all are obliged to abide by, and not to need another solemn admission, as at first, but to go on, and grow up, in Christ. Or by this may be meant ordination of persons to the ministerial office, who are duly qualified for it and inclined to it; and this by fasting and prayer, with laying on of the hands of the presbytery: and this is to be done but once.
      • 5. The resurrection of the dead, that is, of dead bodies; and their re-union with their souls, to be eternal companions together in weal or woe, according as their state was towards God when they died, and the course of life they led in this world.
      • 6. Eternal judgment, determining the soul of every one, when it leaves the body at death, and both soul and body at the last day, to their eternal state, every one to his proper society and employment to which they were entitled and fitted here on earth; the wicked to everlasting punishment, the righteous to life eternal.
      These are the great foundation-principles which ministers should clearly and convincingly unfold, and closely apply. In these the people should be well instructed and established, and from these they must never depart; without these, the other parts of religion have no foundation to support them.
    • II. The apostle declares his readiness and resolution to assist the Hebrews in building themselves up on these foundations till they arrive at perfection: And this we will do, if God permit, v. 3. And thereby he teaches them,
      • 1. That right resolution is very necessary in order to progress and proficiency in religion.
      • 2. That that resolution is right which is not only made in the sincerity of our hearts, but in a humble dependence upon God for strength, for assistance and righteousness, for acceptance, and for time and opportunity.
      • 3. That ministers should not only teach people what to do, but go before them, and along with them, in the way of duty.
    • III. He shows that this spiritual growth is the surest way to prevent that dreadful sin of apostasy from the faith. And here,
      • 1. He shows how far persons may go in religion, and, after all, fall away, and perish for ever, v. 4, 5.
        • (1.) They may be enlightened. Some of the ancients understand this of their being baptized; but it is rather to be understood of notional knowledge and common illumination, of which persons may have a great deal, and yet come short of heaven. Balaam was the man whose eyes were opened (Num. 24:3), and yet with his eyes opened he went down to utter darkness.
        • (2.) They may taste of the heavenly gift, feel something of the efficacy of the Holy Spirit in his operations upon their souls, causing them to taste something of religion, and yet be like persons in the market, who taste of what they will not come up to the price of, and so but take a taste, and leave it. Persons may taste religion, and seem to like it, if they could have it upon easier terms than denying themselves, and taking up their cross, and following Christ.
        • (3.) They may be made partakers of the Holy Ghost, that is, of his extraordinary and miraculous gifts; they may have cast out devils in the name of Christ, and done many other mighty works. Such gifts in the apostolic age were sometimes bestowed upon those who had no true saving grace.
        • (4.) They may taste of the good word of God; they may have some relish of gospel doctrines, may hear the word with pleasure, may remember much of it, and talk well of it, and yet never be cast into the form and mould of it, nor have it dwelling richly in them.
        • (5.) They may have tasted of the powers of the world to come; they may have been under strong impressions concerning heaven, and dread of going to hell. These lengths hypocrites may go, and, after all, turn apostates. Now hence observe,
          • [1.] These great things are spoken here of those who may fall away; yet it is not here said of them that they were truly converted, or that they were justified; there is more in true saving grace than in all that is here said of apostates.
          • [2.] This therefore is no proof of the final apostasy of true saints. These indeed may fall frequently and foully, but yet they will not totally nor finally from God; the purpose and the power of God, the purchase and the prayer of Christ, the promise of the gospel, the everlasting covenant that God has made with them, ordered in all things and sure, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the immortal seed of the word, these are their security. But the tree that has not these roots will not stand.
      • 2. The apostle describes the dreadful case of such as fall away after having gone so far in the profession of the religion.
        • (1.) The greatness of the sin of apostasy. It is crucifying the Son of God afresh, and putting him to open shame. They declare that they approve of what the Jews did in crucifying Christ, and that they would be glad to do the same thing again if it were in their power. They pour the greatest contempt upon the Son of God, and therefore upon God himself, who expects all should reverence his Son, and honour him as they honour the Father. They do what in them lies to represent Christ and Christianity as a shameful thing, and would have him to be a public shame and reproach. This is the nature of apostasy.
        • (2.) The great misery of apostates.
          • [1.] It is impossible to renew them again unto repentance. It is extremely hazardous. Very few instances can be given of those who have gone so far and fallen away, and yet ever have been brought to true repentance, such a repentance as is indeed a renovation of the soul. Some have thought this is the sin against the Holy Ghost, but without ground. The sin here mentioned is plainly apostasy both from the truth and the ways of Christ. God can renew them to repentance, but he seldom does it; and with men themselves it is impossible.
          • [2.] Their misery is exemplified by a proper similitude, taken from the ground that after much cultivation brings forth nothing but briers and thorns; and therefore is nigh unto cursing, and its end is to be burned, v. 8. To give this the greater force here is observed the difference that there is between the good ground and the bad, that these contraries, being set one over against the other, illustrate each other.
            • First Here is a description of the good ground: It drinketh in the rain that cometh often upon it. Believers do not only taste of the word of God, but they drink it in; and this good ground bringeth forth fruit answerable to the cost laid out, for the honour of Christ and the comfort of his faithful ministers, who are, under Christ, dressers of the ground. And this fruit-field or garden receives the blessing. God declares fruitful Christians blessed, and all wise and good men account them blessed: they are blessed with increase of grace, and with further establishment and glory at last.
            • Secondly, Here is the different case of the bad ground: It bears briers and thorns; it is not only barren of good fruit, but fruitful in that which is bad, briers and thorns, fruitful in sin and wickedness, which are troublesome and hurtful to all about them, and will be most so to sinners themselves at last; and then such ground is rejected. God will concern himself no more about such wicked apostates; he will let them alone, and cast them out of his care; he will command the clouds that they rain no more upon them. Divine influences shall be restrained; and that is not all, but such ground is nigh unto cursing; so far is it from receiving the blessing, that a dreadful curse hangs over it, though as yet, through the patience of God, the curse is not fully executed.
            • Lastly, Its end is to be burned. Apostasy will be punished with everlasting burnings, the fire that shall never be quenched. This is the sad end to which apostasy leads, and therefore Christians should go on and grow in grace, lest, if they do not go forward, they should go backward, till they bring matters to this woeful extremity of sin and misery.

Hbr 6:9-20

The apostle, having applied himself to the fears of the Hebrews, in order to excite their diligence and prevent their apostasy, now proceeds to apply himself to their hopes, and candidly declares the good hope he had concerning them, that they would persevere; and proposes to them the great encouragements they had in the way of their duty.

  • I. He freely and openly declares the good hope he had concerning them, that they would endure to the end: But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, v. 9. Observe,
    • 1. There are things that accompany salvation, things that are never separated from salvation, things that show the person to be in a state of salvation, and will issue in eternal salvation.
    • 2. The things that accompany salvation are better things than ever any hypocrite or apostate enjoyed. They are better in their nature and in their issue.
    • 3. It is our duty to hope well of those in whom nothing appears to the contrary.
    • 4. Ministers must sometimes speak by way of caution to those of whose salvation they have good hopes. And those who have in themselves good hopes, as to their eternal salvation, should yet consider seriously how fatal a disappointment it would be if they should fall short. Thus they are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
  • II. He proposes arguments and encouragements to them to go on in the way of their duty.
    • 1. That God had wrought a principle of holy love and charity in them, which had discovered itself in suitable works that would not be forgotten of God: God is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love, v. 10. Good works and labour proceeding from love to God are commendable; and what is done to any in the name of God shall not go unrewarded. What is done to the saints, as such, God takes as done to himself.
    • 2. Those who expect a gracious reward for the labour of love must continue in it as long as they have ability and opportunity: You have ministered to the saints, and you do minister; and we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence.
    • 3. Those who persevere in a diligent discharge of their duty shall attain to the full assurance of hope in the end. Observe,
      • (1.) Full assurance is a higher degree of hope, is full assurance of hope; they differ not in nature, but only in degree.
      • (2.) Full assurance is attainable by great diligence and perseverance to the end.
  • III. He proceeds to set before them caution and counsel how to attain this full assurance of hope to the end.
    • 1. That they should not be slothful. Slothfulness will clothe a man with rags: they must not love their ease, nor lose their opportunities.
    • 2. That they would follow the good examples of those who had gone before, v. 12. Here learn,
      • (1.) There are some who from assurance have gone to inherit the promises. They believed them before, now they inherit them; they have got safely to heaven.
      • (2.) The way by which they came to the inheritance was that of faith and patience. These graces were implanted in their souls, and drawn forth into act and exercise in their lives. If we ever expect to inherit as they do, we must follow them in the way of faith and patience; and those who do thus follow them in the way shall overtake them at the end, and be partakers of the same blessedness.
  • IV. The apostle closes the chapter with a clear and full account of the assured truth of the promises of God, v. 13, to the end. They are all confirmed by the oath of God, and they are all founded in the eternal counsel of God, and therefore may be depended upon.
    • 1. They are all confirmed by the oath of God. He has not only given his people his word, and his hand and seal, but his oath. And here, you will observe, he specifies the oath of God to Abraham, which, being sworn to him as the father of the faithful, remains in full force and virtue to all true believers: When God made a promise unto Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself. Observe,
      • (1.) What was the promise: Surely, blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. The blessing of God is the blessedness of his people; and those whom he has blessed indeed he will go on to bless, and will multiply blessings, till he has brought them to perfect blessedness.
      • (2.) What was the oath by which this promise was ratified: He swore by himself. He staked down his own being and his own blessedness upon it; no greater security can be given or desired.
      • (3.) How was that oath accomplished. Abraham, in due time, obtained the promise. It was made good to him after he had patiently endured.
        • [1.] There is always an interval, and sometimes a long one, between the promise and the performance.
        • [2.] That interval is a trying time to believers, whether they have patience to endure to the end.
        • [3.] Those who patiently endure shall assuredly obtain the blessedness promised, as sure as Abraham did.
        • [4.] The end and design of an oath is to make the promise sure, and to encourage those to whom it is made to wait with patience till the time for performance comes, v. 16. An oath with men is for confirmation, and is an end of all strife. This is the nature and design of an oath, in which men swear by the greater, not by creatures, but by the Lord himself; and it is to put an end to all dispute about the matter, both to disputes within our own breasts (doubts and distrusts), and disputes with others, especially with the promiser. Now, if God would condescend to take an oath to his people, he will surely remember the nature and design of it.
    • 2. The promises of God are all founded in his eternal counsel; and this counsel of his is an immutable counsel.
      • (1.) The promise of blessedness which God has made to believers is not a rash and hasty thing, but the result of God's eternal purpose.
      • (2.) This purpose of God was agreed upon in counsel, and settled there between the eternal Father, Son, and Spirit.
      • (3.) These counsels of God can never be altered; they are immutable. God never needs to change his counsels; for nothing new can arise to him who sees the end from the beginning.
    • 3. The promises of God, which are founded upon these immutable counsels of God, and confirmed by the oath of God, may safely be depended upon; for here we have two immutable things, the counsel and the oath of God, in which it is impossible for God to lie, contrary to his nature as well as to his will. Here observe,
      • (1.) Who they are to whom God has given such full security of happiness.
        • [1.] They are the heirs of the promise: such as have a title to the promises by inheritance, by virtue of their new birth, and union with Christ. We are all by nature children of wrath. The curse is the inheritance we are born to: it is by a new and heavenly birth that any are born heirs to the promise.
        • [2.] They are such as have fled for refuge to the hope set before them. Under the law there were cities of refuge provided for those who were pursued by the avenger of blood. Here is a much better refuge prepared by the gospel, a refuge for all sinners who shall have the heart to flee to it; yea, though they have been the chief of sinners.
      • (2.) What God's design towards them is, in giving them such securities-that they might have strong consolation. Observe,
        • [1.] God is concerned for the consolation of believers, as well as for their sanctification; he would have his children walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost.
        • [2.] The consolations of God are strong enough to support his people under their strongest trials. The comforts of this world are too weak to bear up the soul under temptation, persecution, and death; but the consolations of the Lord are neither few nor small.
      • (3.) What use the people of God should make of their hope and comfort, that most refreshing and comfortable hope of eternal blessedness that God has given them. This is, and must be, unto them, for an anchor to the soul, sure and stedfast, etc., v. 19. Here,
        • [1.] We are in this world as a ship at sea, liable to be tossed up and down, and in danger of being cast away. Our souls are the vessels. The comforts, expectations, graces, and happiness of our souls are the precious cargo with which these vessels are loaded. Heaven is the harbour to which we sail. The temptations, persecutions, and afflictions that we encounter, are the winds and waves that threaten our shipwreck.
        • [2.] We have need of an anchor to keep us sure and steady, or we are in continual danger.
        • [3.] Gospel hope is our anchor; as in our day of battle it is our helmet, so in our stormy passage through this world it is our anchor.
        • [4.] It is sure and stedfast, or else it could not keep us so.
          • First, It is sure in its own nature; for it is the special work of God in the soul. It is a good hope through grace; it is not a flattering hope made out of the spider's web, but it is a true work of God, it is a strong and substantial thing.
          • Secondly, It is stedfast as to its object; it is an anchor that has taken good hold, it enters that which is within the veil; it is an anchor that is cast upon the rock, the Rock of ages. It does not seek to fasten in the sands, but enters within the veil, and fixes there upon Christ; he is the object, he is the anchor-hold of the believer's hope. As an unseen glory within the veil is what the believer is hoping for, so an unseen Jesus within the veil is the foundation of his hope; the free grace of God, the merits and mediation of Christ, and the powerful influences of his Spirit, are the grounds of his hope, and so it is a stedfast hope. Jesus Christ is the object and ground of the believer's hope, and so it is a stedfast hope. Jesus Christ is the object and ground of the believer's hope in several respects.
            • 1. As he has entered within the veil, to intercede with God, in virtue of that sacrifice which he offered up without the veil: hope fastens upon his sacrifice and intercession.
            • 2. As he is the forerunner of his people, gone within the veil, to prepare a place for them, and to assure them that they shall follow him; he is the earnest and first fruits of believers, both in his resurrection and in his ascension.
            • 3. And he abides there, a high priest after the order of Melchisedec, a priest for ever, whose priesthood shall never cease, never fail, till he has accomplished its whole work and design, which is the full and final happiness of all who have believed on Christ. Now this should engage us to clear up our interest in Christ, that we may fix our hopes in him as our forerunner, that has entered thither for us, for our sakes, for our safety, to watch over our highest interest and concerns. Let us then love heaven the more on his account, and long to be there with him, where we shall be for ever safe, and for ever satisfied.