Recall that in chapter 1, the author provided evidence for Jesus’ superiority over the angels: “having become as much better than the angles, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1.4). Having established this fact, the author this warning: “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2.1). But the author wasn’t done, for after showing Jesus’ superiority to Moses, he repeated the warning: “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.” More recently in our study, we noted how Israel failed to enter the Lord’s rest because of their unbelief. Thus, “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4.9). But to enter that rest we must “be diligent… so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4.11).
It’s clear that the author was concerned that his Jewish brethren might repeat the mistake of their ancestors and fall away. In fact, he was aware that some had already fallen away (Hebrews 6.6), thus in this passage he exhorts his readers lest they also fall away. As we examine the text, let’s note how a Christian could fall away…
Step 1: Stop Listening (Hebrews 5.11-14)
The high priesthood of Jesus is a very important concept. His work on our behalf is what gives us confidence that we can enter the Lord’s rest; He allows us draw near to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4.14-16). The author had more to say about Jesus’ priesthood, in particular the fact that His priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek, but the author knew that his audience wasn’t ready for it… because they had “become dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5.11). The NIV reads, “you no longer try to understand”, the NASB202 reads, “you have become poor listeners.” The problem wasn’t their ability, but their willingness!
They had the ability to teach others, in fact they should have progressed to that point. But because of their “dull hearing” they still needed to be taught “the elementary principles of the oracles of God” (Hebrews 5.12). Their lack of progress was even more severe than many of our translations may indicate: “Writers used stoicheia to refer to basic elements of the alphabet or the most basic, fundamental concepts in education. Thus, we might, with the NEB translation, think of the term as used in Hebrews 5:12 as meaning ‘the ABCs of God’s Word.’”
They weren’t the only Christians who failed to progress from milk to meat, for Paul used the same imagery to rebuke the saints in Corinth (see 1Corinthians 3.2). Milk is good and has its place, but their failure to progress to meat meant they were “not accustomed to the word of righteousness” and had not been “trained to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5.13-14). Their listening problems had serious consequences and could result in their falling away!
Step 2: Get Hung-up On Elementary Principles (Hebrews 6.1-3)
Since the problem wasn’t their ability, but their willingness, the author is hopeful that he can move on to teachings which would promote their maturity. Thus, his intention was to leave “elementary teaching about the Christ” and not lay “again a foundation…”. Implied is the audience’s willingness, even desire to stay focused on these elementary principles. Perhaps they thought they were sufficient or more interesting. But their failure to move on was hurting their growth!
What are the foundational principles the author hoped to move on from? Each seems to relate to their former life in Judaism.
- repentance from dead works: forgiveness from dead works is possible only in Christ, not through the Law (see Hebrews 9.10,14).
- faith toward God: the ability to draw near to God through faith is the Christians (see Hebrews 10.22).
- washings: literally “baptisms” but the term is used of Jewish cleansing rites in Hebrews 9.10)
- laying on of hands: part of the OT sacrificial system, in particular when the high priest laid his hands on the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement.
- resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment: perhaps related to differing views of the Sadducees and Pharisees regarding the resurrection. Note Hebrews 9.27.
The fact that all of these matters related to aspects of Judaism shows that these brethren were still fixated on their past, perhaps they had not firmly grappled with these foundational concepts or they simply enjoyed discussing them. It was time to move on!
Step 3: Forget The Blessings You’ve Experienced (Hebrews 6.4-8)
The author makes a rather startling statement regarding those who’ve fallen away: “it is impossible to renew them again to repentance” (Hebrews 6.6). The impossibility does not lie with Jesus who serves as our faithful high priest (see Hebrews 4.14-16). Rather, the impossibility lies with their rejection of Jesus: “the apostate repudiates the only basis upon which repentance can be extended. To repudiate Christ is to embrace the ‘impossible.’” (Lane, Word Biblical Commentary). Their repudiation of Christ is shown by the fact that “they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame”. “In 13:13 the author notes the proper stance of a Christian, a stance that constitutes standing with Christ, bearing his disgrace. Thus believers are challenged to follow the example of the Lord, who “scorned [the] shame” of the cross (12:2). The apostates used as a negative example in Hebrews 6:4–8, however, have reversed this position, instead standing with those who used the cross, the ultimate instrument of public shame in the Greco-Roman world, to crucify Christ.” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary)
These weren’t loosely affiliated people who repudiated the Lord, but those who had “tasted” (i.e. experienced) all of the blessings of Christ (vss. 4-5). They had received all the blessings the Lord had to offer, but rather than producing fruit they yielded thorns and thistles. Falling away will certainly result from a lack of appreciation of God’s blessings.
Hebrews 6.9-12, Convinced of Better Things
The author challenged his audience in the previous section, pointing out their dullness of hearing and immaturity (Hebrews 5.8-6.3). But the author was also confident that his brethren would take the warning to heart, thus he was “convinced of better things… things that accompany salvation” (vs. 9). He had a few reasons for such confidence:
- God’s character (vs. 10). The real basis for confidence wasn’t in men at all, but in God. God is just AND He does not forget His people. God’s remembrance is emphasized in the Old Testament as God would “remember His covenant” with the people (see 1Chron 16.15; Psalm 105.8; 111.5).
- Their work and love (vs. 10). At this point the author does not comment on their work and love for the Lord, rather than saying they had ministered and continued to minister to the saints. He gives more context in Hebrews 10.32-34, stating how they endured sufferings and yet still served their brethren. Such love and service provides confidence since they could know God remembered their service and such dedication wouldn’t be quickly forsaken.
- Good examples to follow (vss. 11-12). The author harkens back to how the brethren had been “dull of hearing” (5.11), but was confident they would not remain “sluggish” (6.12, same word in both passages). They wouldn’t remain sluggish if they were “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” While many such examples existed (see Hebrews 11), the author proceeds to point them to the example of Abraham and how by faith he received God’s promises (vss. 13-20). And such an example provides hope to all of God’s people.
Hebrews 6.13-20, Surety of God’s Promise
This section emphasizes God’s promise, but it’s important to keep in mind that two promises are in view. The example of Abraham centers around the promise the Lord made to him in Genesis 22.16-17. However, the passage ends by picking back up with the Lord’s promise that the Messiah would be “high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (vs. 20; Psalm 110.4). The saints were the beneficiaries of the Lord’s promise to Abraham, but His promise to the Messiah is what gave them real hope.
Central to the passage is the Lord’s promise. The writer makes numerous points showing how important it is for our hope that the Lord makes promises:
- He swore by Himself, since He could swear by no one greater (vs. 13). “The notion that God swears by himself (cf. Exod 32:13; Isa 45:23; Jer 22:5; 49:13) signifies that he is bound to his word by his character. The divine oath provides the guarantee that excludes doubt and affirms the abiding validity of the promise.” (William Lane, Word Biblical Commentary)
- His oath is given as confirmation (vs. 16). “When a man swears an oath, he makes a solemn affirmation of the truth of his words before a greater who presumably will punish any misuse of his name if a false statement is made.” (Leon Morris, Expositors Bible Commentary) Since the Lord swore by His own name, no other confirmation is needed.
- His promise is unchangeable (vs. 17). His promise is unchangeable because the Lord guaranteed (i.e. interposed) it with an oath.
- It is impossible for God to life (vs. 18). God’s oath is bolstered by the fact of God’s character: He cannot lie (see Numbers 23.19; 1Samuel 15.29).
The Lord’s promise may be great and guaranteed by an oath, but man must still put faith in Him to receive the promised blessing. Thus, Abraham serves as an example of believing the Lord’s promise:
- The Lord’s promise, quoted in vs. 14, was made after Abraham’s greatest demonstration of faith: his willingness to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22.
- Abraham is described as “having patiently waited” (vs. 15). “Abraham was content to await God’s time for the fulfillment of the promise. This meant real patience, because Isaac was not born till twenty-five years after the promise was first given (Gen 12:4; 21:5) and long after Sarah could have been expected to bear children. Abraham’s grandchildren were not born for another sixty years (Gen 25:26), only fifteen years before his death (Gen 25:7). The complete fulfillment of the promise, of course, could not take place within his lifetime (a nation cannot be born so quickly). But enough happened for the writer to say, ‘Abraham received what was promised.;” (Leon Morris, Expositors Bible Commentary).
- Thus Abraham “obtained the promise” (vs. 15). Note John 8.56, Abraham understood the full obtaining of the promise would occur with the Christ.
So what does all of this mean for the author’s original audience, and for us? We, the “heirs of the promise” have also received a promise composed of “two unchangeable things” (vs. 18). Jesus is 1) high priest forever and 2) after the order of Melchizedek. This promise, sworn with an oath, allows us to “take hold of the hope set before us” (vs. 18) and that hope extends all the way to the very presence of God, because our High Priest, Jesus, has gone there before us!
Knowing that Jesus is our High Priest, that God’s oath has been kept, truly provides an anchor for the soul. Those with such a hope will not “drift away” (2.1); those with such a hope will imitate the example of Abraham’s faithfulness (6.12). The Hebrew author will continue to focus on this hope in the coming chapters.
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