HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:1 ELEMENTARY DOCTRINE OF CHRIST. Compare
“basic principles” (Hebrews 5:12). WASHINGS may refer to teaching
about the differences between Jewish purification rituals and
Christian baptism. LAYING ON OF HANDS could refer to a practice at the
time of baptism (see Acts 8:14; Ac... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:4 This passage has been much debated. The
central issue is whether vv. Hebrews 6:4 describes people who were
once true Christians. (1) Some argue that the passage does describe
true Christians, meaning that Christians can “fall away” and lose
their salvation. Most who hold... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:5 TASTED THE GOODNESS OF THE WORD OF GOD.
These people (see note on v. 4) have heard the truth explained. They
have learned of God’s word (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 11:3). This word
will be fully shown in POWERS that renew the world in the age to come
(Hebrews 2:5; Hebrews 13:14... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:6 FALLEN AWAY involves a sustained,
committed rejection of Christ and a departure from the Christian
community. TO RESTORE THEM AGAIN TO REPENTANCE. This wording does not
clarify whether the earlier repentance was merely outward, or whether
it was the genuine repentance tha... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:7 LAND THAT HAS DRUNK THE RAIN. The author
uses a common OT and NT agricultural metaphor (see esv
cross-references on v. Hebrews 6:7; also Matthew 13:24, Matthew 13:36;
Luke 3:17). He warns that those who fall away are like land that does
not bear a CROP that is USEFUL, but... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:9 Having warned about falling away from
the faith, the author shows confidence in his readers’ salvation (v.
Hebrews 6:9; Hebrews 10:32).
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HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:11 IMITATORS OF THOSE WHO... INHERIT THE
PROMISES. Abraham is the immediate example (vv. Hebrews 6:13). Other
examples appear in ch. Hebrews 11:1 (OT saints) and in Hebrews 13:7
(church leaders).
⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:13 PROMISE TO ABRAHAM. God’s promises to
Abraham include those in Genesis 12:1; Genesis 17:1; Genesis 22:16.
Here the author focuses on Genesis 22:16.
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HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:15 HAVING PATIENTLY WAITED. Abraham waited
25 years for Isaac’s birth (see Genesis 12:4 with Genesis 21:5), and
he did not witness the fulfilled promise of countless descendants (see
note on Heb. 11:13). In his lifetime, Abraham OBTAINED THE PROMISE
through seeing Isaac bor... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:16 Oaths were common legal devices in
ancient times (DISPUTES implies a legal context). Oaths usually
appealed to some higher authority (SOMETHING GREATER THAN THEMSELVES).
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(var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:17 The TWO UNCHANGEABLE THINGS are God’s
PROMISE/PURPOSE and his OATH.
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(var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 6:19 The Christian’s HOPE is in the person
and saving work of Christ. This hope is an ANCHOR, providing security
and stability for the soul. Clearly, even though the author has warned
the readers about apostasy (vv. Hebrews 6:4), he believes they can
have assurance of their s... [ Continue Reading ]