Hebrews 6 - Introduction

This whole chapter is a continuation of the digression which the apostle had occasionally entered into in the 11th verse of the preceding chapter. For upon the consideration of the greatness of the mystery and difficulty of the doctrine which he designed to instruct these Hebrews in, and his fear of their disability or unpreparedness (at least of some) to receive it in a due manner unto their edification, he engageth into a new discourse, filled up with reasons and arguments to excite them unto a diligent attendance. And this he so doth, as in the very last words of this chapter to return, by an artificial connection of his discourse, unto what he had asserted in the 10th verse of that foregoing.

There are four general parts of this chapter:

1. The proposition of what he intended to do, or discourse concerning; with an opposition thereunto of what was by him to be omitted, Hebrews 6:1-3.

2. An excitation of the Hebrews unto singular diligence in attending unto the most perfect doctrines of Christianity, and making a progress in the knowledge of Christ. And this he doth from the consideration of the greatness of the sin and the inevitableness of the destruction of apostates. For this sort of persons do commonly arise from among such as, having received the truth, and made a profession thereof, do not diligently endeavor a progress towards perfection, according to their duty, Hebrews 6:4-8.

3. A lenifying of the severity of this commination in respect of its application unto these Hebrews. For he expresseth his hope that it did not so belong unto them, or that the sin condemned should not be found in them, nor the punishment threatened fall on them. But the warning itself contained in the commination was, as he shows, good, wholesome, and seasonable. And of this his hope and judgment concerning the Hebrews he expresseth his grounds, taken from the righteousness of God, their own faith and love; which he prays they may persevere in, Hebrews 6:9-12.

4. An encouragement unto faith and perseverance, from the example of Abraham, who first received the promises; from the nature of the promises themselves, and their confirmation by the oath of God, with the assistance we may have by our hope in Christ thereunto, Hebrews 6:13-20; which last discourse he issueth in the principal matter he intended to insist upon, whereunto he now returns again, having digressed necessarily into those exhortations and arguings from the first proposal of it in the 11th verse of the foregoing chapter.

In the first part of the chapter, comprised in the first three verses, there are three things considerable:

1. A general proposition of the apostle's resolution to proceed unto the more perfect doctrines of the gospel, as also of his passing over the first principles of Christianity, Hebrews 6:1.

2. An amplification of this proposition, by an enumeration of those doctrines which he thought meet at present to pass by the handling of, Hebrews 6:1-2.

3. A renovation of his resolution to pursue his proposition, with a submission to the will and good pleasure of God as to the execution of his purpose; the expression whereof the present state of these Hebrews peculiarly called him unto, Hebrews 6:3.