THE BOOK OF HEBREWS
CHAPTER SIX

Introduction

James Deering, AncientPath.net

1. The Visualized Text
2. Questions to be Explored
3. Cross References

THE VISUALIZED TEXT (NASB)  (conjunctions & prepositions underlined, words not in original text in italics)    (alternate text in purple) (Gray horizontal lines are paragraph divisions)

(Hebrews 6:1)
Therefore
    leaving the elementary teaching (Lit., word of the beginning)
        about the Christ, (i.e., Messiah)
let us press on
    to maturity, (or, perfection)
    not laying again a foundation of repentance
        from dead works and
        of faith toward God,
(6:2)
        of instruction about washings, and
        laying on of hands, and
        the resurrection of the dead, and
        eternal judgment.
(6:3)
And this we shall do,
if God permits.
(6:4)
    For in the case of
        those who have once been enlightened and
        have tasted
            of the heavenly gift and
        have been made partakers
            of the Holy Spirit,
(6:5)
                                            and
        have tasted
            the good word of God and
            the powers of the age to come,
(6:6)
                                            and then
        have fallen away,
            it is impossible to renew them again to repentance,
                since (or, while)
                    they
                        again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and
                        put Him to open shame.
(6:7)
                            For ground that drinks the rain which
                                often falls (lit., comes) upon it and
                                brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled
                                receives a blessing from God;
(6:8)
                            but
                                if it yields thorns and thistles,
                                    it is worthless and
                                    (it is) close to being cursed (lit., to a curse), and
                                    it ends up being burned.
(lit., its end is for burning)


(6:9)
But,
    beloved,
we are convinced of
    better things concerning you, and
    things that accompany (or, belonging to) salvation,
        though we are speaking in this way.
(6:10)
            For
                God is not unjust so as to forget
                your work and
                the love which you have shown toward His name,
                    in having ministered and
                    in still ministering
                        to the saints (i.e., true believers; lit., holy ones).
(6:11)
And
    we desire that
        each one of you show the same diligence
            so as to realize (lit., to the full)
                the full assurance of hope
                    until the end,
(6:12)
that
    you
        may
            not be sluggish,
                but
        (may be) imitators of those who
            through
                faith and
                patience
                    inherit the promises.


(6:13)
For when
    God made the promise to Abraham,
        since He could swear by no one greater,
    He swore by Himself,
(6:14)
        saying,

"I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU, AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU."

(6:15)
            And thus,
                having patiently waited,
                he obtained the promise.
(6:16)
                    For
                        men swear by one greater than themselves, and
                        with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.
(6:17)
                        In the same way (or, Therefore God)
                        God,
                            desiring even more
                                to show to the heirs of the promise
                                    the unchangeableness of His purpose,
                             interposed (or, guaranteed) with an oath,
(6:18)
                                 in order that
                                    by two unchangeable things,
                                        in which
                                            it is impossible for God to lie,
                                            we may have strong encouragement,
                                            we who have fled for refuge
                                                in laying hold of the hope set before us.
(6:19)
                                                    This hope
                                                        we have (lit., which we have) as an anchor of the soul,
                                                    a hope
                                                        both sure and
                                                        steadfast and
                                                        one which enters within (or, inside) the veil,
(6:20)
                                                            where Jesus has entered
                                                            as a forerunner for us,
                                                            having become a high priest forever
                                                                according to the order of Melchizedek.


ABOUT: (Questions to be explored based on this study's verses)

 

(Hebrews 6:1)
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
1.  What is the significance of the word "therefore"?
2.  Where was the writer talking about the elementary teaching about Christ?
3.  What was the point of the discussion about the elementary teaching about Christ?
4.  What was the conclusion to the discussion?
5.  Who is the "us" of this verse?
6.  Consider the phrase "let us press on."
7.  What two key issues are spoken of in this last phrase "not laying again... "
8.  What does the writer wish to NOT do with these two issues?
9.  Consider the phrase "dead works."
10.  Consider the phrase "faith toward God."

(6:2)
of instruction about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
1.  Is verse 6:2 a continuation of the thought of verse 6:1?
2.  What four things can be added to the two issues of verse 6:1 ?
3.  How many issues does this make?
4.  Does the writer consider these issues to be "the milk of the Word?"
5.  Does the writer consider these issues to be followed in the pursuit of maturity?
6.  What does this say about what the writer considered to be basic issues of faith?
7.  Have you gotten beyond "Repentance from dead works," "Faith toward God," "Basic sanctification," "The resurrection of the dead," and the facts concerning "Eternal judgment?"
8.  So far the Hebrew church of this book have been bogged down by the place of Angels, the High Priest, and this list of six "Milk" issues, now, can you describe what it would be like to fellowship and worship with this church?

(6:3)
And this we shall do, if God permits.
1.  What is the significance of the word "and"?
2.  Consider the words, individually, of this verse.
        a.  this
        b.  we
        c.  shall do
        d.  if
        e.  God
        f.  Permits

(6:4)
For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
1.  What is the significance of the word "for"?
2.  What is meant by the term "in the case of"?
3.  Who are those who have been Enlightened, Tasted the Heavenly Gift, Have been Made Partakers of the Holy Spirit," (and from verse 6:5) "Have tasted the Good Word of God," and "Have tasted the Powers of the Age to Come"?
4.  What does it mean to be "enlightened"?
5.  What is "The Heavenly Gift"?
6.  How does one "partake of the Holy Spirit"?

(6:5)
and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
1.  What is the significance of the word "and"?
2.  Is verse 6:5 a continuation of verse 6:4?
3.  Who is "The Good Word of God"?, What is "The Good Word of God"?
4.  Describe the phrase "the powers of the age to come."

(6:6)
and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.
1.  What is the significance of the word "and"?
2.  What happened to these believers?
3.  Why is it impossible to "renew them again to repentance"?
4.  What is the result of those who consider their place "in Christ" as naught?
5.  Does Jesus still suffer on the Cross for our sins?
6.  Does Jesus still suffer for our sins?
7.  What did Jesus do in Hebrews 1:3?
8.  What has Jesus done according to Hebrews 8:1?
9.  Why is Jesus seated there?
10.  When a person thinks they have lost their salvation, and they try to be "saved" again, they "shame" the Son of God, Jesus Christ, Why is that?

(6:7)
For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God;
1.  What is the significance of the word "for"?
2.  Who or what receives a blessing from God in this verse?
3.  What happened to the ground?
4.  To whose benefit does:
        a.  it rain?
        b.  vegetation grows?
        c.  the ground is tilled?

(6:8)
but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.
1.  What is the significance of the word "but"?
2.  How do thorns and thistles grow on soil?
3.  Read and consider Matthew 13:3-23 ("The Parable of the SOILS")
4.  What similarities and contrasts are indicated by comparing Hebrews 6:7-8 (and Matthew 13:3-23)?
6.  What good is the ground that produces thorns and thistles?
7.  Please notice and consider the phrase (verse 8) "close to being cursed."
8.  What is the end result?
9.  Consider 1 Corinthians 3:15

(6:9)
But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.
1.  What is the significance of the word "but"?
2.  Who are the "beloved"?
3.  What does the first half of this sentence imply about the readers of this letter?
4.  Which things are in contrast with the "better things" here?
5.  What are the "things that accompany salvation"?
6.  In what way did the writer speak to them "in this way"?
7.  If the writer thinks better of the Hebrew Church... then why did he speak this way to them?

(6:10)
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.
1.  What is the significance of the word "for"?
2.  Can you rearrange this sentence to make it read easier?
3.  What kind of a reputation, at least in their works, do they have?
4.  Considering what you have learned about them, what kind of ministry would you consider as "ministering to the saints"?
5.  What does the word "saint(s)" mean?

(6:11)
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,
1.  What is the significance of the word "and"?
2.  Which members of the Hebrew Church are mentioned here?
3.  What are they hopefully to do?
4.  How would you define the word "realize" here? Is he just talking about understanding the assurance of hope?
5.  What is the "full assurance of hope"?
6.  When, and how long, are they to "realize" this hope?
7.  When is "the end?"

(6:12)
that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
1.  What is the significance of the word "that"?
2.  Considering the definition of the Greek word for sluggish as "(lit.) lazy, or (fig.) stupid:--dull, slothful," what would be the meaning of the phrase "imitators of those... (who) inherit the promises"?
3.  How would you describe the "faith" of those who inherit the promises?
4.  How would you describe the "patience" of those who inherit the promises"
5.  How does one "inherit?"
6.  What promises? (remembering Hebrews Chapter 4)

(6:13)
For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,
1.  What is the significance of the word "for"?
2.  When did God make the promise to Abraham
3.  Why was it that God could not find anyone greater to swear by?

(6:14)
saying,

"I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU, AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU."

1.  To whom did God swear this?
2.  What other times or places did God make this same vow?
3.  How was God going to bless Abraham?

(6:15)
And thus, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.
1.  What is the significance of the word "and"?
2.  Who patiently waited?
3.  Do you remember what Abraham did while he waited? (personal life of Abraham)

(6:16)
For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.
1.  What is the significance of the word "for"? 
2.  Who do men swear by?
3.  The oath is a confirmation to the end of a what?

(6:17)
In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath,
1.  What is the significance of the phrase "in the same way"?
2.  Who interposed (guaranteed) with an oath?
3.  Why did God use the oath?
4.  What did God desire to "show"?
5.  Who are the "heirs of the promise"?
6.  What is "the promise"
7.  Why is the unchangeableness of His purpose important to Him?
8.  What unchangeable purpose is He talking about?

(6:18)
in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.
(Pfeiffer Reference 1)
1.  What is the significance of the phrase "in order that"?
2.  What are the two unchangeable things?
3.  Why is "The Word of God" a "strong encouragement"?
4.  Why is "The Oath of God" a "strong encouragement"?
5.  What is it impossible for God to do concerning the Word of God, and the Oath of God?
6.  Why is that important to those who have fled for refuge in Him?
7.  Why do you think "fled for refuge" is used to describe believers' actions?
8.  Describe "laying hold of the hope set before us."

(6:19)
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,
1.  Upon what should the soul be anchored?
2.  What symbolism does the nautical word "anchor" bring to mind?
3.  Why an anchor of the "soul"?
4.  What three things are here said about this hope?
5.  What hope is sure and steadfast?
6.  Who is the sure and steadfast hope which enters within the veil?
7.  What process does the phrase "enters within the veil" describe?
8.  Where is the veil?
9.  Who is inside Holy of Holies before Jesus enters there?
10.  When Jesus enters into the Holy of Holies what "Office" does He represent?
11.  What does Jesus do when He enters within the veil?
12.  Where does He sit down?
13.  Beside Whom does He sit?
14.  Between What does He sit?

(6:20)
where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
1.  What is the significance of the word "where"?
2.  Where has Jesus entered for us?
3.  How has He entered there?
4.  What is a "forerunner"?
5.  Who did He enter there for?
6.  According to this verse what had happened to Jesus Christ, The Son of God, before entering into the veil?
7.  Once He became the Divine High Priest, how long will He hold this office?
8.  As used in this verse, what is "an Order"?
9.  What other "Order" of priesthood do you know of?
10.  What is the difference between the Aaronic Order of the Priesthood, and the Melchizedek Order of the Priesthood?


REFERENCES:

(6:1)
Philippians 3:33 f
Hebrews 5:12
Hebrews 5:14; 9:14
John 8:21

(6:2)
Acts 19:3 f
John 3:25
Acts 6:6; 17:31 f

(6:3)
Acts 18:21

(6:4)
Hebrews 10:32
2 Corinthians 4:4
Ephesians 2:8
John 4:10
Hebrews 2:4
Galatians 3:2

(6:5)
1 Peter 2:3
Ephesians 6:17
Hebrews 2:5

(6:6)
Hebrews 10:26 f
1 John 5:16
2 Peter 2:21
Matthew 19;26
Hebrews 10:29

(6:7)
2 Timothy 2:6

(6:8)
Deuteronomy 29:22 ff

(6:9)
1 Corinthians 10:14
2 Corinthians 7:1; 12:19
1 Peter 2:11; 3:1
1 John 2:7
Jude 3

(6:10)
Proverbs 19:17
Matthew 10:42; 25:40
Acts 10:4
1 Thessalonians 1:3
Hebrews 10:32-34
Romans 15:25

(6:11)
Hebrews 10:22
Luke 1:1
Hebrews 3:6

(6:12)
Hebrews 13:7
2 Thessalonians 1:4
James 1:3
Revelation 13:10
Hebrews 1:14

(6:13)
Galatians 3:15, 18
Genesis 22:16
Luke 1:73

(6:14)
Genesis 22:16 f

(6:15)
Genesis 12:4; 21:5

(6:16)
Galatians 3:15
Exodus 22:11

(6:17)
Hebrews 11:9
Psalms 110:4
Proverbs 19:21
Hebrews 6:18

(6:18)
Titus 1:2
Numbers 23:19
Hebrews 3:6; 7:19

(6:19)
Leviticus 16:2
Hebrews 9:2 f

(6:20)
Hebrews 4:14
John 14:2
Hebrews 5:6; 2:17

 

1. The Visualized Text
2. Questions to be Explored
3. Cross References

 1 Pfieffer, Charles F., The Epistles to the Hebrews, Everyman's Bible Commentary, Moody Press, Chicago, 1962, pp. 55-56

"Abraham and al who are his children by faith can trust God on the basis of "two immutable things" (6:18) -- God's Word, and God's oath.  God's promise cannot be broken, for it is the Word of the Living God.  God's oath is trustworthy, for He has staked His divine reputation upon it.  God cannot lie.  those who look to God in a world of trial may be tempted to be fearful.  Can God care for me?  Will He be true to His Word?  We "who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us" have a "strong consolation" in God's Word and Oath (6:18)."


2012-11-23
2024-03-18 update