警告离弃正道

所以,让我们从基督话语的基本原则出发[a],被神[b]带到那成熟的境界;而不用重新打基础,就如悔改那些致死的行为、对神的信仰、 各样的洗净礼、按手礼、死人复活、永远的惩罚等教导上。 神如果准许,我们就这么做。

原来,如果有人蒙过一次光照、尝过属天恩赐的滋味、曾经与圣灵有份、 尝过神美善的话语和将要来临之世代的权能, 却背弃了真理,就不可能再次更新以至于悔改了。因为他们亲自把神的儿子再次钉上十字架,公然羞辱他。 要知道,当一块田地吸收了常常降在它上面的雨水,并且为种地的人长出有用菜蔬时,它就享受从神而来的祝福; 但如果它长出荆棘和蒺藜,就没有用处了,很快就要被诅咒,它的结局就是被焚烧。

各位蒙爱的人哪,我们即使这样说,还是深信那关于你们的更好之事,并且是有关救恩的, 10 因为神不是不公正的,以致忘记你们的工作和你们为他的名所显出的爱,就是你们先前和如今服事圣徒时所显出的爱[c] 11 我们渴望你们每个人都显出同样的殷勤,使你们对所盼望的有完全的确信,一直到底; 12 这样,你们就不会变得懈怠,反而会效法那些藉着信仰和耐心去继承各样应许的人。

承受应许

13 神向亚伯拉罕应许的时候,因为没有比自己[d]更大的可以指着起誓,就指着自己起誓, 14 说:

“我必定大大赐福给你,
多多地增加你的子孙[e]。”[f]

15 这样,亚伯拉罕恒久忍耐,就获得了神所应许的。 16 人本来指着比自己[g]更大的起誓;对他们,所起的誓就是了结一切争执的确据; 17 为此,神想要对那些继承应许的人格外表明他的计划是不能更改的,就用所起的誓来保证。 18 藉着这两件不能更改的事——在这些事上,神不可能说谎——使我们这些逃往避难所、抓住那摆在前面盼望的人,可以得到极大的鼓励。 19 我们所拥有的这盼望,像灵魂[h]的锚,又可靠又坚固,并且进到幔子最里层的那至圣所[i] 20 耶稣已经为我们做先锋进入了那里,照着麦基洗德的等级[j]做大祭司,直到永远。

Footnotes

  1. 希伯来书 6:1 出发——原文直译“离开”。
  2. 希伯来书 6:1 神——辅助词语。
  3. 希伯来书 6:10 爱——有古抄本作“爱心的劳苦”。
  4. 希伯来书 6:13 比自己——辅助词语。
  5. 希伯来书 6:14 的子孙——辅助词语。
  6. 希伯来书 6:14 《创世记》22:17。
  7. 希伯来书 6:16 比自己——辅助词语。
  8. 希伯来书 6:19 灵魂——或译作“生命”。
  9. 希伯来书 6:19 那至圣所——辅助词语。
  10. 希伯来书 6:20 等级——或译作“体系”。

1-2 所以,我们应当离开基督初步的道理,努力进到成熟的地步,不必在懊悔致死的行为,信靠 神,洗礼,按手礼,死人复活,和永远审判的教训上再立根基。 只要 神允许,我们就这样作。 因为那些曾经蒙了光照,尝过属天的恩赐的滋味,与圣灵有分, 并且尝过 神美善的道和来世的权能的人, 如果偏离了正道,就不可能再使他们重新悔改了。因为他们亲自把 神的儿子再钉在十字架上,公然羞辱他。 这就像一块地,吸收了常常下在它上面的雨水,如果长出对种植的人有用的菜蔬,就从 神那里得福。 但如果这块地长出荆棘和蒺藜来,就被废弃,近于咒诅,结局就是焚烧。

不过,亲爱的弟兄们,我们虽然这样说,但对于你们,我们却深信你们有更好的表现,结局就是得救。 10 因为 神并不是不公义,以致忘记了你们的工作,和你们为他的名所表现的爱心,就是你们以前服事圣徒,现在还是服事他们。 11 我们深愿你们各人都表现同样的热诚,一直到底,使你们的盼望可以完全实现, 12 并且不要懒惰,却要效法那些凭着信心和忍耐承受应许的人。

 神起誓保证他的应许

13  神应许亚伯拉罕的时候,因为没有比自己更大的可以指着起誓,他就指着自己起誓, 14 说:“我必定赐福给你,必定使你的后裔繁多。” 15 这样,亚伯拉罕耐心等待,终于获得了所应许的。 16 因为人起誓都是指着比自己大的起誓。这誓言就了结了他们中间的一切纠纷,作为保证。 17 照样, 神定意向那些承受应许的人,更清楚地表明他的旨意是不更改的,就用起誓作保证。 18 这两件事是不能更改的,因为 神是决不说谎的。因此,我们这些逃进避难所的人,就大得安慰,抓紧那摆在我们面前的盼望。 19 我们有这盼望,就像灵魂的锚,又稳当又坚固,通过幔子直进到里面。 20 耶稣已经为我们作先锋进入了幔子里面;他是照着麦基洗德的体系,成了永远的大祭司。

Therefore let us move beyond(A) the elementary teachings(B) about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a](C) and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites,[b](D) the laying on of hands,(E) the resurrection of the dead,(F) and eternal judgment. And God permitting,(G) we will do so.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,(H) who have tasted the heavenly gift,(I) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,(J) who have tasted the goodness(K) of the word of God(L) and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance.(M) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God(N) all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.(O) In the end it will be burned.

Even though we speak like this, dear friends,(P) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.(Q) 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope(R) for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate(S) those who through faith and patience(T) inherit what has been promised.(U)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,(V) 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[d](W) 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.(X)

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.(Y) 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging(Z) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,(AA) he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,(AB) we who have fled to take hold of the hope(AC) set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,(AD) 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.(AE) He has become a high priest(AF) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.(AG)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 6:1 Or from useless rituals
  2. Hebrews 6:2 Or about baptisms
  3. Hebrews 6:6 Or age, if they fall
  4. Hebrews 6:14 Gen. 22:17

1 He briefly toucheth the childish slothfulness of the Hebrews, 4 and terrifieth them with severe threatenings: 7 He stirreth them up to endeavor in time to go forward: 9 He hopeth well of them: 13 He allegeth Abraham’s example: 17 and compareth faith that taketh hold on the word, 19 unto an anchor.

Therefore, leaving the doctrine of the [a]beginning of Christ, let us be led forward unto perfection, [b]not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Of the doctrine of baptisms, and laying on of hands, and of the resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment.

And this will we do if God permit.

(A)[c] For it is [d]impossible that they which were once lightened, and have [e]tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Ghost,

And have tasted of the good word of God, and of the powers of the world to come,

If they fall away, should be renewed again by repentance: seeing they [f]crucify again to themselves the Son of God, and make a mock of him.

[g]For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing of God.

But that which beareth thorns and briars, is reproved, and is near unto cursing, whose end is to be burned.

[h]But beloved, we have persuaded ourselves better things of you, and such as accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10 [i]For God is not unrighteous, that he should forget your work, and labor of love, which ye showed toward his Name, in that ye have ministered unto the Saints, and yet minister.

11 And we desire that every one of you show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end,

12 [j]That ye be not slothful, but followers of them, which through faith and patience, inherit the promises.

13 [k]For when God made the promise to Abraham, because he had no greater to swear by, he swore by himself,

14 Saying, (B)Surely I will [l]abundantly bless thee, and multiply thee marvelously.

15 And so after that he had tarried patiently, he enjoyed the promise.

16 For men verily swear by him that is greater than themselves, and an oath for confirmation is among them an end of all strife.

17 So God, willing more [m]abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the stableness of his counsel, bound himself by an oath,

18 That by two immutable things, wherein it is impossible that God should lie, we might have strong consolation, which have our refuge to lay hold upon that hope that is set before us,

19 [n]Which hope we have, as an anchor of the soul, but sure and steadfast, and it entereth into that which is within the veil.

20 [o]Whither the forerunner is for us entered in, even Jesus that is made an high Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 6:1 The first principles of Christian religion, which we call the Catechism.
  2. Hebrews 6:1 Certain principles of a Catechism, which comprehend the sum of the doctrine of the Gospel, were given in few words and briefly to the rude and ignorant, to wit, the profession of repentance and faith in God: the articles of which doctrine, were demanded of them which were not as yet received members of the Church, at the days appointed for Baptism: and of the children of the faithful which were baptized in their infancy: when hands were laid upon them. And of those articles, two are by name recited: the resurrection of the flesh, and the eternal judgment.
  3. Hebrews 6:4 He addeth a vehemency to his exhortation, and a most sharp threatening of the certain destruction that shall come to them which fall from God and his religion.
  4. Hebrews 6:4 He speaketh of a general backsliding, and such as do altogether fall away from the faith, and not of sins which are committed through the frailty of man against the first and the second table.
  5. Hebrews 6:4 We must mark the force of this word, for it is one thing to believe as Lydia did, whose heart God opened, Acts 16:13, and another thing to have some taste.
  6. Hebrews 6:6 As men that hate Christ, and as though they crucified him again make him a mocking stock to all the world, and that to their own destruction, as Julian the Apostate or backslider did.
  7. Hebrews 6:7 He setteth forth the former threatening with a similitude.
  8. Hebrews 6:9 He mitigateth and assuageth all that sharpness, hoping better of them to whom he writeth.
  9. Hebrews 6:10 He praiseth them for their charity, thereby encouraging them to go forward, and to hold out to the end.
  10. Hebrews 6:12 He showeth what virtues chiefly they have need of to go forward constantly, and also to profit: to wit, of charity, and patience: and lest any man should object and say, that these things are impossible to be done, he willeth them to set before themselves the examples of their ancestors, and to follow them.
  11. Hebrews 6:13 Another prick to prick them forward: Because the hope of the inheritance is certain, if we continue to the end, for God hath not only promised it, but also promised it with an oath.
  12. Hebrews 6:14 I will heap up benefits most plentifully upon thee.
  13. Hebrews 6:17 More than was needful, were it not for the wickedness of men which believe not God, no though he swear.
  14. Hebrews 6:19 He likeneth hope to an anchor: because that even as an anchor being cast into the bottom of the sea, stayeth the whole ship, so doth hope also enter even into the very secret places of heaven. And he maketh mention of the Sanctuary, alluding to the old tabernacle, and by this means returneth to the comparisons of the Priesthood of Christ with the Levitical.
  15. Hebrews 6:20 He repeateth David’s words, wherein all those comparisons whereof he hath before made mention, are signified, as he declareth in all the next chapter.

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

And this will we do, if God permit.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.