An exhortation to advance beyond elementary catechetical instructions (Hebrews 6:1-3). A solemn warning against the peril of Apostasy (Hebrews 6:4-8). A word of encouragement and hope (Hebrews 6:9-12) founded on the immutability of God's promises (Hebrews 6:13-15), to which they are exhorted to hold... [ Continue Reading ]
_leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ_ Lit., "leaving the discourse of the beginning of Christ," i.e. _getting beyond_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 reade... [ Continue Reading ]
_of the doctrine of baptisms_ Perhaps rather, "of ablutions" (Hebrews 9:10; Mark 7:3-4), both (1) from the use of the plural (which cannot be explained either physically of "triple immersion," or spiritually of the baptisms of "water, spirit, blood"); and (2) because _baptismos_is never used of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
_this will we do_ We will advance towards perfection. The mss., as in nearly all similar cases, vary between "we will do" (א, B, K, L) and "let us do" (A, C, D, E). It is difficult to decide between the two, and the variations may often be due (1) to the tendency of scribes, especially in Lectionari... [ Continue Reading ]
The awfulness of apostasy 4. _For_ An inference from the previous clauses. We must advance, for in the Christian course stationariness means retrogression _non progredi est regredi_. _For it is impossible for those_ We shall see further on the meaning of the word "impossible." The sentence begins... [ Continue Reading ]
_and have tasted the good word of God_ Rather, "that the word of God is good." The verb "taste," which in the previous verse is constructed with the genitive (as in classical Greek), is here followed by an accusative, as is more common in Hellenistic Greek. It is difficult to establish any differenc... [ Continue Reading ]
_if they shall fall away_ This is one of the most erroneous translations in the A.V. The words can only mean "_and have fallen away_" (comp. Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 10:26; Hebrews 10:29), and the position of the participle gives it tremendous force. It was once thought that our translator... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the earth which drinketh in_ Rather, "For land which has drunk." Land of this kind, blessed and fruitful, resembles true and faithful Christians. The expression that the earth "drinks in" the rain is common (Deuteronomy 11:11). Comp. Virg. _Ecl._iii. iii, "_sat prata biberunt_." For the moral s... [ Continue Reading ]
_that which beareth thorns_ Rather, "if it bear thorns" (Isaiah 5:6; Proverbs 24:31). This neglected land resembles converts who have fallen away. _rejected_ The same word, in another metaphor, occurs in Jeremiah 6:30. _nigh unto cursing_ Lit, "near a curse." Doubtless there is a reference to Genes... [ Continue Reading ]
Words of encouragement and hope 9. _beloved_ The warm expression is introduced to shew that his stern teaching is only inspired by love. _we are persuaded_ Lit., "We have been (and are) convinced of." Comp. Romans 15:14. _better things_ Lit., "the better things." I am convinced that the better al... [ Continue Reading ]
_to forget_ The aorist implies "to forget in a moment." Comp. Hebrews 11:6; Hebrews 11:20. God, even amid your errors, will not overlook the signs of grace working in you. Comp. Jeremiah 31:16; Psalms 9:12; Amos 8:7. _and labour of love_ The words "labour of" should be omitted. They are probably a g... [ Continue Reading ]
_And_ Rather, "But." _we desire_ A strong word: "we long to see in you." _that every one of you_ Here again in the emphasis of the expression we seem to trace, as in other parts of the Epistle, some _individual_reference. _the samé diligence_ He desires to see as much earnestness (2 Corinthians 7... [ Continue Reading ]
_that ye be not slothful_ Rather, "that ye _become_not slothful" in the advance of Christian hope as you already are (Hebrews 5:11) in acquiring spiritual knowledge. _followers_ Rather, "imitators," as in 1 Corinthians 4:16; Eph 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6, &c. _through faith and patience inherit the... [ Continue Reading ]
_For when God_ The "for" implies "and you may feel absolute confidence about the promises; for," &c. _made promise to Abraham_ Abraham is here only selected as "the father of the faithful" (Romans 4:13); and not as the _sole_example of persevering constancy, but as an example specially illustrious... [ Continue Reading ]
_blessing I will bless thee_ The repetition represents the emphasis of the Hebrew, which expresses a superlative by repeating the word twice. _I will multiply thee_ In the Heb. and LXX. we have "I will multiply _thy seed_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_after he had patiently endured_ Lit., "having patiently endured," which may mean "by patient endurance." The participles in this passage are really contemporaneous with the principal verbs. _he obtained the promise_ Genesis 15:1; Genesis 21:5; Genesis 22:17-18; Genesis 25:7, &c.; John 8:56. There i... [ Continue Reading ]
_men verily swear by the greater_ Genesis 21:23; Genesis 24:3; Genesis 26:30-31. The passage is important as shewing the lawfulness of Christian oaths (see our Article xxxix). _strife_ Rather, "for an oath is to them an end of all gainsaying" (or "controversy" as _to facts_) "with a view to confirm... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherein_ Rather, "on which principle;" "in accordance with this human custom." _willing_ Rather, "wishing." The verb is not _thelôn_, but _boulomenos_. _more abundantly_ i.e. than if he had not sworn. _unto the heirs of promise_ Rather, of _the_promise." The heirs of the promise were primarily A... [ Continue Reading ]
_by two immutable things_ Namely, by the _oath_and by the _word_of God. The Targums for "By Myself" have "By My Word have I sworn." _in which it was impossible for God to lie_ St Clement of Rome says "_Nothing_is impossible to God, except to lie" (_Ep. ad Cor._27). "God that cannot lie" (Titus 1:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_as an anchor of the soul_ An anchor seems to have been an emblem of Hope being something which enables us to hope for safety in danger from very early days (Aesch. _Agam._488), and is even found as a symbol of Hope on coins. The notion that this metaphor adds anything to the argument in favour of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_whither the forerunner is … entered_ Lit. "where a forerunner entered … Jesus;" or "where, as a forerunner" (or harbinger) "Jesus entered." _for us_ "on our behalf." This explains the introduction of the remark. Christ's Ascension is a pledge that our Hope will be fulfilled. He is gone to prepare... [ Continue Reading ]