Hebrews Chapter 6
Introduction
In Chapter 6, the writer (likely the Apostle Paul) proceeds to persuade the Hebrews to develop more than they had done so far, to grow up from childhood into maturity as Christians and to not become complacent and slothful. This is the best way to prevent apostasy, the dreadful nature and consequences of which sin he describes with utmost gravity (v. 1-8).
It is interesting to note that there is an interlude after discussing Jesus, our High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek, that exhorts the brethren in the Hebrew congregation to remain steadfast and not fall away because of the dire consequences for such. The chapter includes exhortations to remain diligent and caring for the eternal hope and not to be slothful in the building up of the Kingdom of God. God will fulfill His promises to Abraham and his seed (of which we are all partakers in Christ) and will fulfill His Oath. Though we may be weak, God is strong and immutable like His Oath and we flee to Him as our Refuge and our Anchor for our souls. The chapter ends by bringing us back to Jesus, our High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek, Who makes intercession for the believers through the veil into the Holy of Holies on the believer’s behalf.
Then we next see expressions of the writer’s good hopes concerning the Hebrews. He hopes 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).”
Ritualistic Religiosity Leads to Apostasy
The admonitions to grow and remain steadfast could well stem from the possibility that among the church of the Hebrews there were some who were “Judaizers”. Judaizers were a faction of the Jewish Christians who regarded the Levitical laws of the Old Testament as remaining binding on all Christians.
Circumcision, as a Work of the Law, Became as a Stumbling Block
One example is the doctrine of circumcision. Romans 2:17-29 delves into the condemnation that the law brings to such Judaizers over this issue, and these last two verses that sum up the matter, Romans 2:28&29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.“
And let us not forget that being a literal Jew, descended from Abraham avails nothing as well as Jesus said in both Matthew 3:9 and Luke 3:8, respectively, “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” and “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”
We are also told in Galatians 5:1-6, “¶Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.“
A Paul’s epistle to the Galations finalizes with Galatians 6:15&16 by reiterating this latter point, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ¶And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.“
And back in the Book of Acts, in Acts 15:5, “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses.“
Another example, which we know arose in Antioch, is where Paul admonished Peter as follows in Galatians 2:14-16, “¶But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.“
In 2 Timothy 3:5-7, Paul similarly warned of those that might claim to be a Christian in amongst the congregation of believers, but who remain dead in their sins, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.“
Philippians 3:1, “¶Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed [is] not grievous, but for you [it is] safe. ¶Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.“
Today there is a tendency of many churchgoer’s to become like the “Judaizers”, such that many “Christians” associate doctrinal-based works with salvation, such that they think baptism being a requirement, or a recitation of a confession of faith, or some other outward manifestation of association with Christendom (such as those listed in Hebrews chapter 6), when there remains no change in the inward man. It brings us back again to Hebrews 4:2, “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it].”
Apostasy can spread quickly through any congregation as we know from Galatians 5:9, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
Growing up to Maturity
In order to grow, the believer must move beyond the elementary teachings and doctrines of Christ. We are not to lose the basic fundamentals of the Gospel, nor deny them, nor forget them, but rather to build upon as a foundation in our hearts a more complete understanding, making us better fit for service in the Kingdom of God. The writer then mentions six foundational principles which must be well laid at first and then built upon.
Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore leaving (ἀφίημι (aphiēmi))G863 the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (τελειότης (teleiotēs))G5047; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”
The word used here for leaving is more than just setting aside, it is from the original Greek word, ἀφίημι (aphiēmi)G863, which means to “forsake” and “abandon”. So then in this context it would seem that we are being told that those “principles of the doctrines of Christ” are not sufficient for salvation. That is why we need to grow and move beyond them.
“Perfection” is derived from the same word mentioned in Hebrews 5:9 as “perfect” (τελειόω (teleioō))G5048. Note also how this verse relates to Hebrews 5:12-14, “¶For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age (τέλειος (teleios))G5046, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.“
So then, “milk” from a Biblical perspective, is identified with the basics (“first principles”) of the Word (the “oracles of God”, see below) in bringing the Gospel of Salvation through the Person and Work of Jesus Christ as we read in 1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (Please see again the Chapter 5 exposition, specifically Verses 12-14 that address “milk”)
Colossians 3:14, “And above all these things [put on] charity ἀγάπη (agapē)G26, which is the bond of perfectness (τελειότης (teleiotēs))G5047.
And regarding “dead works”, we should look forward to Hebrews 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?“
And regarding the “Oracles of God”, In 1 Peter 4:11 we read, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen“., and Jeremiah 23:28, “…he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully…”
The Oracles of God: The Word of God Is Alive
And what are the “Oracles of God”? The word in Greek that is translated as “oracles” is λόγιον (logion)G3051, meaning “utterance of God” which is used only four times in the New Testament. The other two, besides Hebrews 5:12, and 1 Peter 4:11, include Romans 3:1, “¶What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” and Acts 7:38, “This is he (Moses), that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively (ζάω (zaō))G2198 oracles to give unto us:” So then, the Bible defines the “oracles of God” as God’s Word as spoken by God. If we faithfully proclaim the True Word of God, then we become Oracles of God.
We should also take note here that the word “lively” is the same word in the original Greek that we also find in Hebrews 4:12 that also describes the Word of God, which means “alive“, “For the word of God [is] quick (ζάω (zaō))G2198, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.“
Hebrews 6:2, “Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
These first two verses address many “basic” doctrines and “first principles” that are part of Christianity, but are not the substance of salvation. They are reflections and evidence of having been saved. Paul is instructing the Hebrews to not be complacent in that knowledge, but to grow into maturity of understanding and service for Jesus and to persevere.
- Repentance from Dead Works: We are convinced and convicted of sin and know that nothing can save us but the Blood of Jesus. Titus 3:5 tells us, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” and Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.“
- Faith Toward God: We have a firm belief in the existence, nature, and attributes of God, and in the mind and purpose of God from both His Word (the Bible) and this creation, but most particularly as is revealed through the Person and Work of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to bring Salvation from sin. That belief is not by sight. Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” and 2 Corinthians 5:7, “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
- Doctrine of Baptisms: Acts 19:4&5, “¶Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ¶ When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.“
- Laying on of Hands: Acts 8:14-17, “¶Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” and Acts 19:6, “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.“
- Resurrection of the Dead: Acts 17:31, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.” But remember also that the Old Testament speaks plainly of the resurrection of the dead in Daniel 12:2, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.” (The Pharisees had it correct, but the Sadducees did not as we read in Mark 12:18, “¶Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,” and Acts 23:8, “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.“)
- Eternal Judgment: Acts 24:24, “¶And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.“
Hebrews 6:3, “And this will we do, if God permit.”
This is a petition statement that all believers should embrace. We want to be obedient to God and do everything with the understanding that we can do nothing apart from God’s Will. That is why the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:10 contains the words, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.” This is how Paul stated his planning for his travel to Jerusalem in Acts 18:21, “But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.“
Apostasy, Falling Away, and Its Consequences
The Following three verses have to be viewed together in context with each other
Hebrews 6:4, “¶For [it is] impossible ἀδύνατος (adynatos)G102 for those who were once enlightened (φωτίζω (phōtizō))G5461, and have tasted (γεύομαι (geuomai))G1089 of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers (μέτοχος (metochos))G3353 of the Holy Ghost,“
Enlightened is from the original Greek word, (φωτίζω (phōtizō))G5461, which means “to be illuminated”, and therefore reflective of the Light of the Gospel. The original Greek word for “tasted” is γεύομαι (geuomai)G1089, which is to say “perceive the flavor of” or “to experience”. The word for “partaker” is from the original Greek μέτοχος (metochos)G3353, which means to be sharing in, partaking, but does not imply indwelling.
Hebrews 6:5, “And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,”
And the word that is translated as “word” is form the original Greek word, ῥῆμα (rēma)G4487, which is very often translated as “sayings”. In contradistinction, the Greek word λόγος (logos)G3056 is always associated with the Word of God, especially Christ Himself, indwelling personally the believer. So some words fit the experience of salvation, and some fit the association with the body of Christ, only.
Hebrews 6:6, “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.”
“Fall Away“
“Fall away”, can either be subscribing to a false gospel, which is apostasy, or likely, in the days of the Hebrews, turning back to the works of the law, such as circumcision, instead of faith in the finished Works of Jesus in Fulfillment of the Old Testament laws and sacrifices. Indeed, there is every reason to expect the wrath and judgment of God to fall upon them for denying His Son and His Son’s Work.
While the tabernacle and the ordinances were in force, they were binding upon the people. If God poured out His wrath upon those who made light of the “Types” (e.g., the man who picked up sticks on the Sabbath!), think how severe shall be His Judgments upon those who reject or make light of the “Substance”, the Sacrifice and Precious Blood of His Dear Son Jesus! A return to circumcision and ceremony (away from Jesus Christ) is to bring contempt upon the persons of Jesus Christ. This is elaborated upon in Galatians 5:1, “¶Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised,Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.“
But the good news is that a true believer will be kept by God from falling prey to false gospels, which include works gospels, which in our day require the likes of outward baptism, or other formulary efforts. Nonetheless, the church, the body of believers, must be vigilant as a body to persevere and to hold fast to that which is good. (Note that this is somewhat reminiscent of the commendations and admonitions to the seven churches in Revelation.)
We should all be well aware of unbelievers who “claim” to be believers, but who do sadly “fall away”. We know this because of what we read in 1 John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” The words “would have continued” is another evidence that the believers will not, and cannot ever, “fall away”.
It would seem, therefore, that these verses are describing those that hear the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and despise it because they identify with the Gospel through their own efforts. If they reject Jesus, there is no other hope for salvation because ONLY Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! The word “impossible” must be compared with Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith [it is] impossible ἀδύνατος (adynatos)G102 to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”, with the conclusion being that it is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to be renewed without faith, by means of his own efforts, to come to repentance and salvation. What is needed is the grace of God and not works of the law.
On the Other Hand: It Is Impossible for True Believers To Fall Away
We must also clearly understand the fundamental truth that it is impossible for those who are truly saved to ever fall away. However, as described earlier with regard to judaizers, there are those in the church that have a veneer of religiosity, who profess to be Christians (but are not true Christians). Those people can fall away, and are thereby doomed, because as there is no hope in any “other” Jesus.
Falling away does not mean to sin again, because all sins, past present and future are covered by the Blood of Christ. It is therefore a statement of fact that it is “IMPOSSIBLE” for a believer to fall away!
Let us consider the following:
- “Who were once enlightened” Although the first work of the Holy Spirit is to enlighten the soul, there is a difference between being in the congregation (and hearing the truth from the Holy Spirit), and becoming quickened by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We are all by nature in darkness. Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Ephesians 5:8, “¶For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”
- “Have tasted the heavenly gift” What is the Heavenly Gift? It is Jesus Christ Himself and the Pardon for Sins through His Sacrifice! It is Eternal Life! 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.” Also the word “tasted” is from the original Greek word, γεύομαι (geuomai)G1089, which means to “taste” or “eat” and is the same word we see again in Hebrews 6:5 and in 1 Peter 2:3, “If so be ye have tasted (γεύομαι (geuomai)) G1089 that the Lord [is] gracious.“, which implies “perceive the flavor” or “to experience.”
- “Made partakers of the Holy Ghost” The Holy Spirit either dwells in a person or He does not. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer, but not the apostate. This is true even when the apostate is in the midst of believers and comes under the hearing of the faithfully preached Word of God. Romans 8:9 makes this clear, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.“
- “Have tasted the good word of God” The believers have “tasted” and experienced the Good Word of God, Who Is Jesus. They have eaten the word of God like honey. This is clear in Psalm 119:103, where we read, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey H1706 to my mouth!” For more on this, please see The Meaning of Honey in the Bible. While the unbeliever may “taste” the Word, the unbeliever will ultimately find them to be bitter and fall away.
- “the powers of the world to come” The believers see and know by faith what is to come, because they believe the Word of God. God tells us what to expect at the end of the world on Judgment Day and the new heavens and a new earth to come, wherein dwelleth righteousness Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, and 2 Peter 3:13. They also have faith, hope, and love (“charity”). 1Co 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.”
In John 10:27-29, Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand.“
Finally, in Romans 8:38&39, we read of this assurance for the believers…”For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
Other pertinent verses to consider:
Matthew 12:31, “¶Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”
To “Sin Wilfully”?
There is also the issue of what will be addressed a bit later, and that is what we read in Hebrews 10:26-29, “¶For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” It would seem that the person who claims to be a Christian and understands the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ, willfully disobeys God, because that person wants to do his or her own will, and does not care what God wants and requires. This is essentially wanting it both ways, which is actually the pathway to death and Hell.
But there may be more to this.
Hebrews 10:32, “¶But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated (φωτίζω (phōtizō))G5461, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;“
Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:“
Galatians 3:2-5, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if [it be] yet in vain. ¶ He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, [doeth he it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?“
Once again we look to Hebrews 10:29, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?“
These are hard teachings and well worth pondering. We all need to pray for God’s mercy to be upon us!
Hebrews 6:7, ҦFor 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:
This verse immediately brings to mind Psalm 65:10, “Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.” and Isaiah 55:10, “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:” The Word of God is the blessing for the believer, and will bring forth fruit in the salvation of others through the prospering of that Word.
However, for the apostate, someone who has been intimately involved in the congregation and all of the graces of God, who The Light has been cast upon rather than a spiritual awakening and hence not yet converted, the warning of the ominous outcome is quite clear. Succinctly, the next passages point out that the rain produces the blessing of the crop, as well as the growth of the weeds and thorns, pointing to the fact that the mere presence of the word and the gospel does not procure salvation.
Hebrews 6:8, “But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned.”
One reference verse can be found in Isaiah 5:6, “And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.“
But does not this also remind us of Jesus’ Parable of the Sower? Remember specifically Matthew 13:7, where the Word of God (the “seed”), “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:” but also we know that Jesus also made clear that the thorns and briers are like the tares that we read about in Jesus’s Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, specifically the last verse, Matthew 13:30, “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.“
Proverbs 14:32, “The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.“
The Word of God is a curse to the unsaved of the world. Please see the Parable of the Sower.
Better Things for the Believers
Hebrews 6:9, “¶But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.“
Clearly, if The Hebrews are believers, as Paul indicates here, then they will bear the fruits of the Spirit in righteousness as we read in Galatians 5:22-24, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” and Ephesians 5:9, “(For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)”
Hebrews 6:10, “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.“
John 13:20, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.“
1 Thessalonians 1:3, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;“
2 Thessalonians 1:6&7, “Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,“
Ministering to the Saints:
Romans 15:25, “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.”
2 Corinthians 8:4, “Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.“
2 Timothy 1:18, “The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”
Paul Set an Example to Follow
Galatians 2:20&21, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.“
Hebrews 6:11, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:“
Colossians 2:2&3, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.“
1 Peter 2:1, “¶Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,“
2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and forever. Amen.“
Hebrews 6:12, “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.“
We are told to remain diligent and vigilant. Hebrews 10:36, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
2 Peter 3:14, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.“
Hebrews 6:13, ҦFor when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Genesis 22:16&17, “And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son]: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;“
Psalm 105:9, “Which [covenant] he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;“
Luke 1:73, “The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,” which is from Zacharias’s (John the Baptist’s father) Prophecy regarding John’s role as a prophet coming in advance of Jesus Christ Who would be the fulfillment of the oath to Abraham.
Hebrews 6:14, “Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.“
Again Genesis 22:16&17.
The Faith of Abraham
Hebrews 6:15, “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.“
Regarding Abraham and his faith, Romans 4:19-22, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Issac was that son of the promise in the which Abraham believed God would give him as we read in Romans 9:9, “For this [is] the word of promise, At this time will I come,and Sara shall have a son.“
We also know from Galatians 3:6, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.“
And also please note this elaboration of the faith of Abraham after the birth of Isaac in James 2:21-24, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.“
The Oath of God
Hebrews 6:16, “For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation [is] to them an end of all strife.”
And oath which is an end of strife, or establishes peace between neighbors, as God ordains, is explained here in Exodus 22:10, “If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing [it]. [Then] shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept [thereof], and he shall not make [it] good.
This also hearkens us back to Hebrews 6:13.
Deuteronomy 7:8, “But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath (שְׁבוּעָה (šᵊḇûʿâ)) H7621 which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.“
Genesis 15:13, “And he said unto Abram (Abraham), Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
But, regarding a man making an oath, we should also remember the what we are told in James 5:12, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” and its corollary spoken by the Lord Jesus, in Matthew 5:37, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
Hebrews 6:17, “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath:“
God’s Word is immutable, it cannot be broken, set aside, disannulled, or abolished, just like the laws of the Medes and the Persians, which we read about in Daniel 6:15 and in the Book of Esther.
Hebrews 6:18, “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:”
Numbers 23:19, “God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?“
Hebrews 6:19, “¶Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;“
Hebrews 9:6&7, “¶Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service [of God]. But into the second [went] the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and [for] the errors of the people:” This is refers back again to Leviticus, Chapter 16, and the Day of Atonement. (See also Exodus 30:10.)
Hebrews 6:20, “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.“
We also covered this previously…
Jesus Christ is The High Priest…
Hebrews 4:14, “¶Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession.” and Hebrews 8:1, “¶Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle,which the Lord pitched, and not man.” and Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:“
After the Order of Melchisedec…
Hebrews 3:1, “¶Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” and Hebrews 5:6, “¶As he saith also in another place, Thou [art] a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.” and Hebrews 5:10,”Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” and Hebrews 7:17, “For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the orderof Melchisedec.“
Finally, remember Romans 8:34, “Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
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