Hebrews 6
King James Version
6 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,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 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,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 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.
7 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:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9 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.
Hebrews 6
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Warning against Regression
6 Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God,(A) 2 teaching about ritual washings,[a] laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.(B) 3 And we will do this if God permits.
4 For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit,(C) 5 tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, 6 and who have fallen away, because,[b] to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt.(D) 7 For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and will be burned at the end.(E)
9 Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation. 10 For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love[c] you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them.(F) 11 Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, 12 so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.(G)
Inheriting the Promise
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself:
15 And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham[e] obtained the promise. 16 For men swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. 17 Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath,(I) 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.(J) 19 We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.(K) 20 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner,(L) because He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.(M)
Footnotes
- Hebrews 6:2 Or about baptisms
- Hebrews 6:6 Or while
- Hebrews 6:10 Other mss read labor of love
- Hebrews 6:14 Gn 22:17
- Hebrews 6:15 Lit he
Hebrews 6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 6
1 Therefore, let us leave behind the basic teaching about Christ and advance to maturity, without laying the foundation all over again: repentance from dead works and faith in God,(A) 2 instruction about baptisms[a] and laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.(B) 3 And we shall do this, if only God permits. 4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift[b] and shared in the holy Spirit(C) 5 and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,[c] 6 and then have fallen away, to bring them to repentance again, since they are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves[d] and holding him up to contempt.(D) 7 Ground that has absorbed the rain falling upon it repeatedly and brings forth crops useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God.(E) 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is rejected; it will soon be cursed and finally burned.(F)
9 But we are sure in your regard, beloved, of better things related to salvation, even though we speak in this way. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. 11 We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end,(G) 12 so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience,(H) are inheriting the promises.[e]
God’s Promise Immutable. 13 [f](I)When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, “he swore by himself,” 14 and said, “I will indeed bless you and multiply” you.(J) 15 And so, after patient waiting,(K) he obtained the promise.[g] 16 Human beings swear by someone greater than themselves; for them an oath serves as a guarantee and puts an end to all argument. 17 So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with an oath,(L) 18 so that by two immutable things,[h] in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.(M) 19 This we have as an anchor of the soul,(N) sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,[i] 20 where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.(O)
Footnotes
- 6:2 Instruction about baptisms: not simply about Christian baptism but about the difference between it and similar Jewish rites, such as proselyte baptism, John’s baptism, and the washings of the Qumran sectaries. Laying on of hands: in Acts 8:17; 19:6 this rite effects the infusion of the holy Spirit; in Acts 6:6; 13:3; 1 Tm 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tm 1:6 it is a means of conferring some ministry or mission in the early Christian community.
- 6:4 Enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift: this may refer to baptism and the Eucharist, respectively, but more probably means the neophytes’ enlightenment by faith and their experience of salvation.
- 6:5 Tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come: the proclamation of the word of God was accompanied by signs of the Spirit’s power (1 Thes 1:5; 1 Cor 2:4).
- 6:6 They are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves: a colorful description of the malice of apostasy, which is portrayed as again crucifying and deriding the Son of God.
- 6:12 Imitators of those…inheriting the promises: the author urges the addressees to imitate the faith of the holy people of the Old Testament, who now possess the promised goods of which they lived in hope. This theme will be treated fully in Hb 6:11.
- 6:13 He swore by himself: God’s promise to Abraham, which he confirmed by an oath (“I swear by myself,” Gn 22:16) was the basis for the hope of all Abraham’s descendants.
- 6:15 He obtained the promise: this probably refers not to Abraham’s temporary possession of the land but to the eschatological blessings that Abraham and the other patriarchs have now come to possess.
- 6:18 Two immutable things: the promise and the oath, both made by God.
- 6:19 Anchor…into the interior behind the veil: a mixed metaphor. The Holy of Holies, beyond the veil that separates it from the Holy Place (Ex 26:31–33), is seen as the earthly counterpart of the heavenly abode of God. This theme will be developed in Hb 9.
Hebrews 6
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament
6 Therefore dio let us leave standing aphiēmi the ho · ho elementary archē teaching logos about ho Christ Christos and let us move on pherō to epi · ho maturity teleiotēs, not mē laying kataballō again palin a foundation themelios of repentance metanoia from apo dead nekros works ergon and kai of faith pistis in epi God theos, 2 instruction didachē about cleansing rites baptismos and te laying on epithesis of hands cheir, the resurrection anastasis of the dead nekros, and kai eternal aiōnios judgment krima. 3 And kai we will do poieō this houtos, if eanper God theos permits epitrepō. · ho
4 For gar it is impossible adynatos when those ho who have once hapax been enlightened phōtizō and te have tasted geuomai the ho heavenly epouranios gift dōrea · ho and kai have become ginomai partakers metochos of the Holy hagios Spirit pneuma 5 and kai have tasted geuomai the goodness kalos of God’ s theos word rhēma and te the powers dynamis of the coming mellō age aiōn 6 and kai have committed apostasy parapiptō, to restore anakainizō them to eis repentance metanoia, since to their own heautou harm they are crucifying anastauroō the ho Son hyios of ho God theos again and kai exposing him to public shame paradeigmatizō. 7 For gar the field gē that ho soaks up pinō the ho frequent pollakis rain hyetos that falls erchomai on epi it autos and kai yields tiktō a crop botanē useful euthetos for those ekeinos for dia whom hos · kai it is cultivated geōrgeō, receives metalambanō a blessing eulogia from apo · ho God theos. 8 But de if it produces ekpherō thorns akantha and kai thistles tribolos, it is useless adokimos and kai about to be engys cursed katara; its hos · ho fate telos is to be eis burned kausis.
9 But de we are convinced peithō of better things kreittōn in peri your hymeis case, beloved agapētos · ho— · kai things that accompany echō salvation sōtēria— even kai though ei we speak laleō as houtōs we do. 10 For gar God theos is not ou so unjust adikos · ho as to forget epilanthanomai · ho your hymeis work ergon and kai the ho love agapē you have demonstrated endeiknymi for eis · ho his autos cause onoma, when you served diakoneō and kai continue to serve diakoneō · ho fellow believers hagios. 11 But de we want epithumeō each one hekastos of you hymeis to demonstrate endeiknymi the ho same autos earnestness spoudē to achri the very end telos for pros the ho fulfillment plērophoria of your ho hope elpis, 12 so that hina you will ginomai not mē be ginomai lazy nōthros, but de imitators mimētēs of those ho who by dia faith pistis and kai perseverance makrothumia inherit klēronomeō the ho promises epangelia.
13 When epangellomai God theos made a promise epangellomai to ho Abraham Abraam, · ho since epei he had echō no one oudeis greater megas by kata whom to swear omnyō, he swore omnyō by kata himself heautou, 14 saying legō, “ Surely ei I will bless you sy greatly eulogeō and kai increase your descendants sy abundantly plēthunō.” 15 And kai thus houtōs by patient endurance makrothumeō, Abraham received epitynchanō what ho had been promised epangelia.
16 For gar people anthrōpos swear omnyō by kata · ho someone greater megas than themselves, and kai the ho oath horkos confirms eis what is said and puts to an end peras all pas dispute antilogia. 17 Because en hos God theos wanted boulomai to show more perissoteros · ho clearly epideiknymi to the ho heirs klēronomos of the ho promise epangelia the ho unchanging ametathetos nature of ho his autos purpose boulē, he confirmed mesiteuō it with an oath horkos, 18 so that hina through dia two dyo unchangeable ametathetos facts pragma, in en which hos it is impossible adynatos for God theos to lie pseudomai, · ho we echō who ho have taken refuge katapheugō might have echō strong ischuros incentive paraklēsis to hold fast krateō to the ho hope elpis set before prokeimai us. 19 We have echō this hos hope as hōs an anchor ankyra for ho life psychē, both te sure asphalēs and kai steadfast bebaios— · kai a hope that enters eiserchomai the ho inner shrine esōteros behind the ho veil katapetasma, 20 where hopou Jesus Iēsous has entered eiserchomai on hyper our hēmeis behalf hyper as forerunner prodromos, having become ginomai a high priest archiereus for eis all ho time aiōn according to kata the ho order taxis of Melchizedek Melchisedek.
Hebrews 6
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
So Let Us Move Along Toward Maturity
6 Therefore, having left the message of the beginning[a] concerning Christ, let us be carried-along to maturity— not again laying-down a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith toward God, 2 of instruction about cleansings[b] and laying-on of hands, and about the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
And We Will Do This As God Permits, For It Is Impossible For Us To Help Some
3 And this[c] we will do if-indeed God permits. 4 For it is impossible to renew[d] again to repentance the ones having once been enlightened[e] and having tasted[f] the heavenly gift, and having been made[g] partakers[h] of the Holy Spirit, 5 and having tasted the good word of God and the powers[i] of the coming age, 6 and having fallen-away— crucifying-again[j] for themselves the Son of God, and publicly-disgracing Him. 7 For land having drunk the rain coming often upon it, and producing a plant useful to those for whose sake it is also farmed, receives a blessing from God. 8 But land bringing-forth thorns and thistles is disapproved[k] and near a curse[l], whose end[m] is for burning.
But As For You, Beloved, Diligently Imitate The Inheritors of The Promises
9 But concerning you, beloved, we are convinced-of better things, and things having salvation— even though we are speaking in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you demonstrated for His name, having served[n] the saints and [still] serving. 11 But we desire that each of you be demonstrating the same diligence toward the full-assurance of hope until the end, 12 in order that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of the ones inheriting the promises through faith and patience.
For Abraham Waited Patiently And Obtained The Promise
13 For God, having promised to Abraham, swore by Himself— since He had by no one greater to swear— 14 saying [in Gen 22:17]: “Surely while blessing I will bless you, and while multiplying I will multiply[o] you”. 15 And so, having waited-patiently, he obtained the promise.
God Even Guaranteed His Promise To Encourage Those Waiting For It
16 For people swear by the greater one. And for them the oath for confirmation is the end[p] of every dispute, 17 by which custom God, intending even more to show the unchangeableness of His intention[q] to the heirs of the promise, guaranteed with an oath, 18 in order that by two[r] unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we[s]— the ones having fled to take-hold-of the hope being set-before us— may have strong encouragement[t], 19 which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both secure and firm and entering into the inner side of the curtain, 20 where a forerunner for us went in— Jesus— having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 6:1 See 5:12.
- Hebrews 6:2 That is, the Christian view of Jewish washings (same word as in Mk 7:4), certainly a foundational issue for these Hebrews. Or, baptisms.
- Hebrews 6:3 That is, carry you on toward maturity.
- Hebrews 6:4 Or, restore. In the Greek word order, ‘to renew again to repentance’ is in v 6, just before ‘crucifying-again’, placing emphasis on it.
- Hebrews 6:4 Or, illuminated, given light.
- Hebrews 6:4 That is, experienced; or, partaken of.
- Hebrews 6:4 Or, come-to-be, become, been.
- Hebrews 6:4 Or, partners, sharers.
- Hebrews 6:5 Or, miracles, as in 2:4.
- Hebrews 6:6 Or, re-crucifying. That is, since they are crucifying-again, defining the sense in which they have fallen away.
- Hebrews 6:8 Or, rejected.
- Hebrews 6:8 That is, near to being cursed.
- Hebrews 6:8 That is, destiny.
- Hebrews 6:10 Compare 10:32-34.
- Hebrews 6:14 while blessing... multiply. This literal reflection of a Hebrew way of speaking means ‘I will surely bless and I will surely multiply’.
- Hebrews 6:16 Or, conclusion.
- Hebrews 6:17 intending... intention. Or, purposing... purpose, determining... determination.
- Hebrews 6:18 That is, the promise and the oath.
- Hebrews 6:18 we... encouragement. Or, we, the ones having fled-for-refuge, may have strong encouragement to take-hold-of the hope being set-before us.
- Hebrews 6:18 That is, to wait patiently like Abraham.
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
The Mounce Reverse Interlinear™ New Testament (MOUNCE)
Copyright © 2011 by William D. Mounce. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
“Reverse Interlinear” is a trademark of William D. Mounce.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
