Hebrews 6

The Peril of Not Progressing

1 Therefore, *Heb. 5:12leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from *(Heb. 9:14)dead works and of faith toward God, 2 *John 3:25; Acts 19:3–5of the doctrine of baptisms, *(Acts 8:17)of laying on of hands, *Acts 17:31of resurrection of the dead, *Acts 24:25and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

4 For itis impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted *(John 4:10); Eph. 2:8the heavenly gift, and *(Gal. 3:2, 5); Heb. 2:4have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, *Heb. 10:29since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, *Ps. 65:10receives blessing from God; 8 *Is. 5:6but if it bears thorns and briers, itis rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

A Better Estimate

9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For *Rom. 3:4God is not unjust to forget *1 Thess. 1:3your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, inthat you have *Rom. 15:25; Heb. 10:32–34ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence *Col. 2:2to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience *Heb. 10:36inherit the promises.

God’s Infallible Purpose in Christ

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, *Gen. 22:16, 17; Luke 1:73He swore by Himself, 14 saying, *Gen. 22:16, 17"Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the *Gen. 12:4; 21:5promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and *Ex. 22:11an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to *Rom. 8:17; Heb. 11:9the heirs of promise *Rom. 11:29the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to *Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29; Titus 1:2lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope *(Col. 1:5); Heb. 3:6; 7:19; 12:1set before us.

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, *Lev. 16:2, 15; Heb. 9:3, 7and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 *(John 14:2; Heb. 4:14)where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, *Gen. 14:17–19; Ps. 110:4; Heb. 3:1; 5:10, 11having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.