Hebrews 6

King James Version

Full text for Hebrews Chapter 6

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,

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

3And this will we do, if God permit.

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

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

6If 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.

7For 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:

8But 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.

10For 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18That 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:

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

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

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The author exhorts believers to move beyond elementary Christian doctrines toward spiritual maturity and perfection. A severe warning is issued against those who, having once experienced spiritual enlightenment, fall away, as it is deemed impossible to renew them to repentance. However, the author expresses confidence in the readers' salvation and encourages them to maintain diligence, grounded in God's immutable promise to Abraham, which serves as a steadfast anchor for hope.

Medium Summary

Hebrews 6 begins by urging believers to advance beyond foundational Christian teachings such as repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection, and eternal judgment, pressing on to spiritual maturity. A solemn warning follows, stating that it is impossible to renew to repentance those who have been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, partaken of the Holy Ghost, and experienced the powers of the world to come, yet subsequently fall away, as they effectively crucify the Son of God afresh. Despite this stern admonition, the author expresses a positive persuasion regarding the readers, acknowledging their past and present labor of love toward God's name. They are encouraged to show continued diligence to attain the full assurance of hope, emulating those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. This hope is firmly established upon God's immutable promise to Abraham, confirmed by an oath, demonstrating His unwavering counsel.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with an exhortation to progress beyond the foundational principles of Christian doctrine, such as repentance from dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment, urging believers to strive for perfection. A profound warning is then delivered concerning the impossibility of renewing to repentance those who have been once enlightened, have tasted the heavenly gift, were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and experienced the good word of God and the powers of the world to come, if they subsequently fall away. Such individuals are described as crucifying the Son of God afresh and putting Him to open shame, likened to earth that, despite receiving rain, produces only thorns and briers, thus being rejected and nigh unto cursing. However, the author swiftly pivots, expressing a strong persuasion of better things concerning the readers, things that accompany salvation, acknowledging God's righteousness in remembering their work and labor of love shown to His name through ministering to the saints. The desire is expressed for every one of them to demonstrate the same diligence, leading to the full assurance of hope until the very end, so they may not be slothful but emulate those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. This assurance is underscored by God's promise to Abraham, which He confirmed with an oath by Himself, as there was no greater by whom to swear, declaring abundant blessing and multiplication. This divine oath, being two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, provides strong consolation for those who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them. This hope is described as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, extending into the inner sanctuary beyond the veil, where Jesus, our forerunner, has entered as a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.

Core Concepts

  • Moving to PerfectionBelievers are urged to advance beyond elementary doctrines of Christ, such as repentance and faith, to attain spiritual maturity and a deeper understanding of Christian truth.
  • The Danger of ApostasyA severe warning is given regarding those who, having experienced profound spiritual enlightenment and the Holy Ghost, deliberately fall away from faith. It is deemed impossible to renew such individuals to repentance, as they are seen as publicly shaming Christ again.
  • God's Immutable PromiseGod's commitment to His promises is highlighted through His oath to Abraham, swearing by Himself. This demonstrates the unchangeable nature of His counsel, providing a firm foundation for believers' hope.
  • Hope as an AnchorThe hope offered to believers is described as a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul. This hope is grounded in God's immutable promise and extends into the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus has entered.
  • Diligence and PatienceThe readers are encouraged to show continued diligence in their faith and good works, and to exercise patience. These qualities are essential for inheriting the promises of God, following the example of faithful predecessors like Abraham.
  • Jesus as High PriestThe chapter concludes by identifying Jesus as the forerunner who has entered 'within the veil' as a high priest forever. His priesthood is established 'after the order of Melchisedec,' providing access to God and securing the believer's hope.