Hebrews 6

 

 

 1 Therefore, leaving the doctrine of the (a) beginning of Christ, let us be led forward unto perfection, (1) not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

 

(a) The first principles of Christian religion, which we call the Catechism.
(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 him 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 eternal judgment.

 

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

 

(*) Then the use of baptism was declared when on the solemn days appointed to baptize the Church came together.

 

 3 And this will we do (*) if God permit.

 

(*) It is God’s singular gift to increase in knowledge, and to go forward in the understanding of God’s word.

 

 4  (2) (*) For it is (b) impossible that they which were once lightened, and have (c) tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Ghost,

 

(2) 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.

(*) Hebrews 10:26; Matthew 12:45; 2 Peter 2:20 .
(b) He speaketh of a general backsliding, and such as do altogether fall away from the faith, not of sins which are committed through the frailty of man against the first and the second table.
(c) 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.

 

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

 

 6 If they fall away, should be renewed again by repentance, seeing they (d) crucify again to themselves the Son of God, and make a mock of him.

 

(d) They which are Apostates, and sin against the holy Ghost, hate Christ, crucify and mock him, but to their own destruction, and therefore fall into desperation; as Julian the Apostate or backslider did.

 

 7  (3) 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.

 

(3) He setteth forth the former threatening with a similitude.

 

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

 

 9  (4) But beloved, we have persuaded ourselves better things of you, and such as accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

 

(4) He mitigateth and assuageth calms all that sharpness, expecting better of them to whom he writeth.

 

 10  (5) For God is not unrighteous, that he should forget your work, and labor of love, which ye shewed toward his Name, in that ye have ministered unto the Saints, and yet minister.

 

(5) He praiseth them for their charity, thereby encouraging them to go forward, and to hold out to the end.

 

 11 And we desire that every one of you shew the same diligence, to the (*) full assurance of hope unto the end,

 

(*) Whereby it may appear, that you are fully persuaded of life everlasting.

 

 12  (6) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them, which through faith and patience, inherit the promises.

 

(6) He sheweth 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.

 

 13  (7) For when God made the promise to Abraham, because he had no greater to swear by, he sware by himself,

 

(7) 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.

 

 14 Saying, (*) Surely I will (e) abundantly bless thee and multiply thee marvelously.

 

(*) Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 17:4-8; Genesis 22:17 .

(e) I will heap up benefits most plentifully upon thee.

 

 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 (f) abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the stableness of his counsel, bound himself by an oath,

 

(f) More than was needed, were it not for the wickedness of men which believe not God, even though he swears.

 

 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,

 

(*) God’s word and oath are two things in him unchangeable.

 

 19  (8) Which hope we have, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and it entereth into that which is within the veil,

 

(8) 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 doeth 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 comparison of the Priesthood of Christ with the Levitical.

 

 20  (9) Whither the forerunner is for us entered in, even Jesus that is made an high Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.

 

(9) 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.

 

 

 

 

Steve

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 1 Corinthians 14:8

And also if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?

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