Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Hebrews 6:1

ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς�, “leaving the discourse of the beginning of Christ,” i.e. getting beyond, ceasing to speak of, the earliest principles of Christian teaching. He does not of course mean that these first principles are to be neglected, still less forgotten, but merely that his readers ought to be so familiar with them as to be able to advance to less obvious knowledge.

φερώμεθα, “let us be borne along,” as by the current of a stream. The question has been discussed whether the Author in saying “let us” is referring to himself or to his readers. It is surely clear that he means (as in Hebrews 4:14) to imply both, although in the words “laying a foundation” teachers may have been principally in his mind. He invites his readers to advance with him to doctrines which lie beyond the range of rudimentary Christian teaching. They must come with him out of the limits of this Jewish-Christian Catechism.

ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα. The “perfection” intended is the “full growth” of those who are mature in Christian knowledge (see Hebrews 5:14). It does not imply sinlessness. They ought not to be lingering among the elementary subjects of catechetical instruction, which in great measure belonged no less to Jews than to Christians.

μὴ πάλιν … καταβαλλόμενοι. There is no need for a foundation to be laid a second time. He is not in the least degree disparaging the importance of the truths and doctrines which he tells them to “leave,” but only urging them to build on those deep foundations the necessary superstructure. Hence we need not understand the Greek participle in its other sense of “overthrowing.”

θεμέλιον, “a foundation.” The subjects here alluded to probably formed the basis of instruction for Christian catechumens. They were not however exclusively Christian; they belonged equally to Jews, and therefore baptized Christian converts ought to have got beyond them.

μετανοίας�. Repentance is the first lesson of the Gospel (Mark 1:15). “Dead works” are such as cause defilement, and require purification (Hebrews 9:14) because they are sinful (Galatians 5:19-21), and because their wages is death (Romans 6:23); but “the works of the Law,” as having no life in them (see our Article xiii.), may be included under the epithet.

πίστεως ἐπὶ θεόν. This is also one of the initial steps in religious knowledge. How little the writer meant any disparagement of it may be seen from Hebrews 11:1-2; Hebrews 11:6.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Hebrews 6:1

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