Heb. 5:1 ¶ For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
Heb. 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
The writer begins this chapter by telling us that God had designated the high priest to act on behalf of the people before God in the matter of offering gifts and sacrifices. The high priest was to be a man of God’s choice, not the people’s. I think of gifts as being sacrificial offerings of love and devotion to God, and sacrifices as referencing those necessary to maintain fellowship with God in seeking forgiveness and maintaining a status of “clean” as stipulated by the law. As a man, the high priest could (and should) identify with the different weaknesses of men and respond with compassion because he also has personal experience with those weaknesses. It should give him a heart to deal gently with those who came to confess their sins and seek forgiveness.
Heb. 5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Even though the high priest was designated by God to offer gifts and sacrifices for the people, he was not exempt from the need to offer gifts and sacrifices for himself.
Heb. 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
This verse emphasizes what I stated above: The high priest was to be a man of God’s choice—not the people’s. The writer then names Aaron, the first high priest, as the obvious example of this truth. It is clearly stated in scripture that only those descended from Aaron were qualified to serve in that capacity.
Exodus 29:29-30 “And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons’ after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them. And that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days, when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy place.”
In fact, if the people receiving this letter thought about it, they would recognize that those serving as high priest in those times were not authorized designees before God; they were appointed by the Roman authorities.
Since they were being tempted to go back into Judaism, I would assume the temple to still be functioning when this letter was written.
We are also told that to serve as high priest was an honor, a position of high esteem.
Heb. 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
I don’t think we in the church understand how hard it was for these professing Christians to break away from the religious practices that were part and parcel of their Jewishness. Only those today who convert to Christianity from other religions that have been an integral part of their heritage can halfway relate to those to whom this letter is directed. They were ingrained with the need for a high priest to intercede on their behalf before God; the thought of boldly approaching God as an individual was a huge adjustment to their thinking. I think that is why the writer is taking such pains to introduce Christ as our High Priest who has abolished the need for an earthly high priest.
The writer is careful to note that just as Aaron, Christ was appointed to serve as our High Priest by Almighty God, His Father.
Heb. 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
At this point the writer explains that Jesus is not a high priest as established by God through the Levites as descending from Aaron. Jesus is a priest of the same order or in succession to Melchisedec.
The Jewish audience of this letter would recognize this person from the Torah. Not much is said about him. Abram is met by Melchisedec upon his return from rescuing Lot as recorded in Genesis 14.
Genesis 14:14-10 “And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
The only other place he is mentioned in the Old Testament is the verse in Psalms that is quoted by the writer in this verse.
Psalm 110:4 “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
I will defer further comment on this intriguing person until we get to chapter 7.
The writer seems to be pointing out that in contrast to the position of high priest as descended through Aaron, Jesus’ position as High Priest will continue forever.
Heb. 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
“Who” = Christ
“in the days of his flesh” = In His days as a man on earth
I liked the CJB translation of verse 7: “During Yeshua’s life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions, crying aloud and shedding tears, to the One who had the power to deliver him from death; and he was heard because of his godliness.”
I admit that my mind immediately went to the LORD’s prayer in Gethsemane as I read this verse. I knew that the LORD was most anguished over the coming separation from His Father, but I always assumed that the whole experience was included—separation from the Father, becoming sin, physical suffering and death. Kenneth Wuest enlightened my understanding from his word studies:
“The implication is clear that He prayed to be saved from death. There are two words in Greek which mean “from,” apo which means “from the edge of,” and ek which means “out from within.” The second is used here. The Messiah prayed to be saved out from within death. Had the inspired writer used apo, he would have reported our Lord as praying to be saved from dying a physical death. At no time in His life did He pray that prayer.”
Smith: “And in prayer is where we so often learn submission to the will of God. Prayer does change things, but prayer changes me more than it changes God.”
Heb. 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
I often have to remind myself that Jesus’ experience in the flesh was similar to every other man in that He grew and learned from His experiences. As discussed previously, He emptied Himself or denied Himself all the privileges of His position as the Son of God and lived with human limitations, albeit with the fulness of the Spirit. When I looked at the Greek for learned, it made reference to understanding. Jesus came to understand through experience as a man what it meant to be submissive and obedient through pain and suffering.
Guzik: “Jesus did not pass from disobedience to obedience. He learned obedience by actually obeying. Jesus did not learn how to obey; He learned what is involved in obedience. Jesus learned the experience of obedience, and part of that learning was enduring suffering.”
Heb. 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
It was Jesus’ experience as a man that perfected or completed His preparation to qualify as the sacrifice for the sin of man and to serve as our High Priest. Having proven Himself to be without sin (cf 4:15), He became the author, the causer, the source of eternal salvation to all that obey Him.
I can hear the screaming now—but salvation is by grace through faith. That is true, but it is also true that obedience gives evidence of our faith. Placing one’s faith in Jesus cannot be separated from acknowledging Him as LORD. To acknowledge Him as LORD is to recognize His authority. To truly recognize His authority is to submit to Him in obedience. You just can’t separate obedience from salvation. The book of James focuses on this truth.
James 2:17-26 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
Heb. 5:10 ¶ Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb. 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
“dull” = lazy, slothful
Again the writer states that Jesus is a high priest of the same type as Melchisedec. This teaching about Melchisedec is one that the writer has much to give instruction about; but he realizes that until the heart is ready to receive the instruction, it will be hard to explain and teach. This is evidenced by the very need for which this letter was written. They still needed encouragement to hold fast to living by grace according to the teachings of Jesus and reject those that were luring them back to living according to the law, a system of works.
Again, I sort of understand their dilemma. They were used to the rituals and practices associated with Judaism. To accept the teachings of Jesus did not eliminate obedience to God’s law; in fact, it required that one live according to the heart and intent of the law. It also, however, required that you accept Jesus as the only acceptable sacrifice for your sin and accept that He abolished the need for the sacrificial system; He was the fulfillment of all that system represented. They had been ingrained with the teaching that obedience to the letter of the law and participation in the required sacrifices allowed one to maintain fellowship with God. Choosing to follow Jesus called for a radical change in their thought process and way of life and caused division between friends and family. It was tempting to want to compromise and have it both ways. Jesus was very clear in His teaching that this was not possible.
Luke 14:26-27 & 33 “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple….So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
Heb. 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb. 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb. 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
These were interesting verses. It is clear that in the writer’s opinion enough time had passed for these Jewish “believers” to have grown much more spiritually than they had. In fact, he expected them to be qualified to teach others who were new in the faith. Instead, he finds that they are in need of instruction in the spiritual basics “again.” This wording implies previous instruction in these matters concerning the “oracles of God.” The Greek for oracles is a reference to “utterances,” in other words, the Word of God, the scripture.
The writer refers to learning the spiritual basics as comparable to a baby drinking milk. Those at this level are not ready to digest strong meat, or the more difficult teachings in scripture. Verse 14 definitely implies that the ability to digest “meat” comes from spending time in God’s word and applying it to your life as you are called upon to discern between good and evil in the choices you make. In the Greek good makes reference to that which is “beautiful, valuable, virtuous, honest, fair, better, and worthy”; evil makes reference to that which is “worthless, depraved, injurious, bad, harmful and wicked.” To be able to apply the principles of the Word to one’s life, one must spend time in the Word. The more one practices applying the principles of God’s Word, the more one grows spiritually and develops a heart that is ready to receive the harder teachings of scripture.
David Guzik added an interesting thought on our spiritual “senses”:
"It can be said that all five human senses have their spiritual counterparts.
We have a spiritual sense of taste: If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious (1 Peter 2:3). Taste and see that the LORD is good! (Psalm 34:8)
We have a spiritual sense of hearing: Hear and your soul shall live (Isaiah 55:3). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7).
We have a spiritual sense of sight: Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law (Psalm 119:18). The eyes of your understanding (heart) being enlightened (Ephesians 1:18).
We have a spiritual sense of smell: He shall be of quick scent in the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:3, RV margin). I am full, having received from . . . you, a sweet-smelling aroma (Philippians 4:18).
We have a spiritual sense of touch or feeling: Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD (2 Kings 22:19). The hardening of their heart; who being past feeling, have given themselves over to licentiousness (Ephesians 4:18-19).”
Heb. 6:1 ¶ 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,
Heb. 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
As we begin this chapter, the writer is challenging these believers to get past drinking milk and dig into the meat of the Word. Going on toward perfection speaks of growing up to full maturity. He is encouraging them to get beyond the basics in their understanding, and he identifies the basics.
As I read some of the commentators, they pointed out that these particular foundational truths were mirrored in Judaism. It seems these believers were not eager to move beyond these beliefs; they evidenced no desire to grow in spiritual maturity. I liked how Guzik put it: “These Jewish Christians did not want to abandon religion, but they did want to make it less distinctively Christian. Therefore, they went back to this common ground to avoid persecution. Living in this comfortable common ground, one did not stick out so much. A Jew and a Christian together could say, “Let’s repent, let’s have faith, let’s perform ceremonial washings,” and so forth. This was a subtle yet certain denial of Jesus.”
The writer identifies the following foundational truths that provided the language of common ground, but what they represented were completely different for Jew and Christian.
Repentance and faith – These are the foundational acts that establish us as part of the family of God. It is through repentance and faith that we become “babes in Christ.” Repentance is the recognition that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and choosing to change your life to obey God. Faith is accepting God’s gift of salvation as offered in His Son Jesus. Christ taught that we have to become babes, ready and wanting to learn God’s word, in order to position ourselves to receive spiritual revelation. If we proceed to cling to our own wisdom and reasoning in rejection of the word of God, we will never understand spiritual truth.
Matthew 11:25 “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”
Baptisms – A search of scripture will reveal different baptisms. The first is identified as John’s baptism, the baptism of repentance that is symbolic of cleansing from sin.
Acts 19:4 “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
Luke 3:2-3 “…the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins….”
Next comes the baptism that identifies one as a follower of Christ and pictures His death, burial and resurrection.
Romans 6:3-4 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Third is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, often mentioned in connection with fire. This is in reference to the special empowerment of the Spirit to accomplish God’s purposes through us.
Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire….”
Acts 1:5&8 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence….But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Laying on of hands – This is referenced in scripture as the method by which the special empowerment of the Holy Spirit was conferred upon believers after Pentecost.
Acts 6:5-7 “And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
1Timothy 4:14 “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”
I think it is important to note that Stephen was already “full” of faith and the Holy Ghost; the laying on of hands was a conferment of empowerment for specific ministry.
Resurrection of the dead – A study of the gospels reveals that the Jews were divided regarding belief in the resurrection of the dead. I have often heard taught that the Pharisees believed in it and the Sadducees did not; that’s why they were “sad you see.” Jesus taught that there would be two resurrections—the resurrection to life and the resurrection to damnation.
John 5:28 “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
The resurrection to life for the Christian is specifically connected to the promise of Jesus that we would experience eternal life through faith in Him.
John 11:25 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
Eternal judgment – This is teaching concerning the eternal condemnation that will be suffered by those who choose to reject God’s provision for salvation through His Son Jesus.
John 3:17 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Revelation 20:12&15 “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works….And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Heb. 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.
I can look at this in two ways—According to God’s leading,
I’ll spend the time reinforcing the basic doctrinal truths, or
I’ll give instruction that builds on these basic doctrines.
Content that follows will support the latter.
Heb. 6:4 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,
Heb. 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb. 6:6 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.
On a stand alone basis this is admittedly a very hard section of scripture. We must keep in mind, however, that God’s word will never be contradictory and will always convey truth. The first five chapters have continuously made a contrast between the obedience of the believer and the disobedience of the unbeliever, obedience that accompanies faith and disobedience that shows lack of faith, and profession of faith vs. possession of faith.
Those who were once enlightened would be referencing those who had been given illumination regarding the truth of God’s word. Wuest adds to our understanding: “The word translated ‘once’ is literally ‘once for all,’ and is used of that which is so done as to be of perpetual validity, and never needs repetition. That means that as these Hebrews listened to the message of the New Testament, the Holy Spirit enlightened their minds and hearts to clearly understand it. The work of the Spirit with reference to their understanding of New Testament truth had been so thorough that it needed never to be repeated for the purpose of making the truth clear to them.”
Those who have tasted the heavenly gift and have partaken of the Holy Ghost have experienced the influence of the Holy Spirit around them. Those who have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come have seen its power to affect lives as well as affirming miracles. Again, Wuest adds clarification. “They had tasted of the heavenly gift, and in such a way as to give them a distinct impression of its character and quality, for the words ‘once for all’ qualify this word also….One of the pre-salvation ministries of the Spirit is to enable the unsaved who come under the hearing of the gospel, to have a certain appreciation of the blessedness of salvation. He equips them with a spiritual sense of taste with reference to the things of God….These Hebrews became participators in the Holy Spirit insofar as an unsaved person can do so, namely, in the sense that they willingly co-operated with Him in receiving His pre-salvation ministry, that of leading them on step by step toward the act of faith. He had led them into the act of repentance. The next step would be that of faith. Here they were in danger of turning their backs upon the Spirit and returning to the sacrifices.”
I can’t help but make a connection to those identified by Jesus in Matthew 7 who are prophesying and doing great works in the name of Jesus.
Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
I believe that there is much in scripture that refutes the possibility of a true believer losing his salvation. I’ve already referenced some of these scriptures in this study, but I think it is worth listing them again.
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
Ephesians 1:12 “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ….”
1John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
For these professing believers to reject Jesus and His teaching and return to the practices of Judaism would position them as those bearing thorns and briers as described in the following verses. They are in danger of choosing to harden their hearts against the truth of God’s word. In fact, the writer compares this person to those in the crowd that called for Jesus to be crucified and openly mocked Him as He hung on the cross.
I think the writer’s purpose is to provide a serious warning to each person in this assembly who was being tempted to return to Judaism to recognize their danger. If they choose to abandon the truth, it will position them in the camp of the unbeliever, the disobedient, the professor but not possessor of salvation. I liken it to those who were spoken of in the parable of the sower who are pictured by the seed that fell among the thorns. They prove themselves to be caught up in the cares of this world and allow these cares to choke the growth of the seed so that it fails to mature and produce fruit.
It’s like the apostle is encouraging them to examine themselves as he did the Corinthians.
2Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
I couldn’t help but think of the LORD’s words as He explained to His disciples the purpose for teaching in parables.
Matthew 13:12 “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.”
I also couldn’t help but think of Judas. He experienced so much intimate fellowship with the Savior and witnessed so many of His miracles first-hand. Still he chose to reject the truth and betray the LORD. He determined to kill himself in recognition of what he had done rather than repent of his sin. And we know he did not repent because the LORD declared that it would be better for that man had he never been born.
Mark 14:21 “The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.”
I think it is important to note that each person’s fate is a direct result of his own choice. It’s the condition of his heart that determines that choice.
I was reading through 2Peter again and couldn’t help but make a connection with chapter 2, verses 20-21: “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. “
This is a clear reference to people who made changes in their lives based upon their knowledge of Jesus as Savior and LORD yet still were not truly saved. The wording “it had been better for them not to have known” ties directly to the wording in this section “impossible for those who were once enlightened… If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance....” I think this is a direct reference to the hardening of the heart that happens in the process, and the next verse in 2Peter seems to affirm this thought process.
2Peter 2:22 “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
The first half of this verse is a quote from Proverbs 26:11: “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.”
The second half of the verse is emphasizing the first. You can train a dog and clean a dog up and feed it the best of foods, but you can’t change its nature. A dog is a dog; it’s going to do the disgusting things that dogs do. You can take a pig and clean it up, but as soon as you turn the pig loose, it’s going to search for the mud. A pig likes mud.
Until we are born again and become a new creature in Christ, we are going to continue to be in bondage to to the sin nature that we inherited from our fathers (all the way back to Adam).
2Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Does this mean then that this person can never be saved? The wording seems to imply just that. I think the important thing to remember is that the reference is to one that never really experienced the regeneration of new birth—not someone who was a backslider. Peter was a backslider; Judas was never a believer. Christians can and will fall into sin, but they never will purposely leave the faith. John makes this clear in his first letter.
1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
I think the point being made is that such a person will develop such a hard heart that he is unable to humble himself in repentance and admit he is wrong and in need of a Savior.
Guzik quoting Meyer: “This passage has nothing to do with those who fear lest it condemns them. The presence of that anxiety, like the cry which betrayed the real mother in the days of Solomon, establishes beyond a doubt that you are not one that has fallen away beyond the possibility of renewal to repentance.”
Heb. 6:7 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:
Heb. 6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
These verses again remind me of the parable of the sower. Those whose hearts provide good soil and receive spiritual nourishment through the water of the word of God will produce fruit as intended by the Sower. These are they who receive blessing from God.
Those whose hearts do not produce fruit as intended by the Sower, but instead produce thorns and briers are identified as rejected (worthless, reprobate). They are declared to be ready (a better choice from the Greek than nigh) for cursing to the end that they will be burned. This again brings to mind the verses from Revelation 20 listed above in the comments on verse 2.
Heb. 6:9 ¶ But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
The writer is expressing confidence that those to whom he is writing will prove to be possessors of salvation, not just professors. He is again clarifying that he is drawing a contrast between those who are believers and those who aren’t. This has been consistent throughout the epistle.
Heb. 6:10 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.
Evidently, this assembly of believers had done and was continuing to do much work on behalf of the saints in the name of Jesus. The writer is affirming that God is just and will not let this ministry go unrewarded.
Galatians 6:7-9 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
As a whole, they give evidence of salvation and belonging to the true body of believers, just as the disciples as a whole gave evidence to being true followers of Jesus—but one was an unbeliever, a thief and a traitor.
Most of the emphasis you hear from the pulpit today is on ministry to the lost. The word of God declares that it is a priority for the child of God to edify others in the body of Christ and minister to those who are part of the family of God. That is what I believe my main calling to be. It is identified in the next verse from the passage in Galatians quoted above.
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Heb. 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
Heb. 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Here again the writer is addressing his desire that those receiving this letter are living so as to give evidence of possession of true faith. The proof of your faith is your diligence or perseverance in the faith. That faith is focused on the confident expectation of the eventual realization of your hope. What is that hope?
Ephesians 1:17-18 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints….”
1Thessalonians 5:8 “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”
Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began….”
Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ…. “
Titus 3:7 “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
The hope of the true believer is a confident expectation of eternal life with our Savior to enjoy the riches of the glory of His inheritance as joint-heirs in Christ.
I was pretty amazed to see that the root word for slothful stated “illegitimate son, bastard.” Again, the writer is making a clear distinction between one who possesses faith and one who just professes it. I couldn’t help but think again of those troubling verses in Matthew.
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
The Lord was clear in teaching that there will be those who have the outward appearance of saving faith, but that He will declare to be workers of iniquity. He goes on in the following verses to describe those who possess saving faith and will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
It is popular to preach the free gift of salvation through faith in God. But it is not so popular to preach that the proof of your salvation is testifying to your belief as evidenced by your obedience to God’s word and the application of its truth to your life.
The writer is emphasizing again how important it is to imitate those who prove their faith through patience and endurance.
Heb. 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Heb. 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Scripture records that God made a promise or a covenant with Abraham to bless him and multiply his descendants which He affirmed by swearing by Himself as the Supreme Authority of the creation.
Genesis 22:16-18 “And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”
Heb. 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
I think it is interesting that Abraham is declared as having obtained the promise after his patient endurance. I still picture him as waiting to see that promise fulfilled. His seed has been the source of blessing to all nations of the earth through the birth of the Messiah. His seed is yet to possess the gates of his enemies from our perspective. But from an eternal perspective Abraham has been rewarded. He persevered in faith until his death, and God’s fulfillment of His word is sure.
Heb. 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
When men swear an oath to confirm the truth of what they are saying, they always swear by an authority higher than self. By swearing they think to put an end to any question concerning the truth of their declaration.
I think that such acts today, at least in America, are not so respected because our moral compass is so off base. A man’s word is no longer as trustworthy as it used to be—even if he swears to be telling the truth.
Heb. 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
The writer is basically saying that God declared His word to be true through the use of an oath since that was the method most accepted among men. Scripture often records God expressing Himself in terms that men understand.
For whose benefit does God guarantee His promise with an oath? The heirs of the promise. Who are these heirs? The children of Abraham by faith. And how are these children identified?
Galatians 3:6-7 & 29 “ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham….And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
You are of Abraham’s seed according to the promise if you possess saving faith in Christ Jesus.
Heb. 6:18 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:
I like the wording of the NLT for this verse: “So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.”
Scripture is clear in declaring God as One who tells the truth.
Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
Psalm 86:15 “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”
Isaiah 25:1 “O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
Isaiah 65:16 “That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.”
The “hope” set before us was identified in the comments on verse 11—our salvation to eternal life in Christ.
I am reminded of the words of an old song we sang as youth: “God said it; I believe it; that settles it for me!”
Great quote from Spurgeon by Guzik: “It is a strong consolation that can deal with outward trials when a man has poverty staring him in the face, and hears his little children crying for bread; when bankruptcy is likely to come upon him through unavoidable losses; when the poor man has just lost his wife, and his dear children have been put into the same grave; when one after another all earthly props and comforts have given way, it needs a strong consolation then; not in your pictured trials, but your real trials, not in your imaginary whimsied afflictions, but in the real afflictions, and the blustering storms of life. To rejoice then, and say, ‘Though these things be not with me as I would have them, yet hath he made with me an everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure;’ this is strong consolation.”
Heb. 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb. 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
It is the hope of eternal life with the Savior that serves as an anchor to our soul to keep us sure (secure) and stedfast (stable, firm) in our faith when confronted with the trials and testing in life. Why does that make us secure? Because it is the work of God in us through the Holy Spirit.
1Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
1John 4:1 & 4 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world….Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
1John 5:3-4 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
It is because we are “in Christ” that we are allowed to go beyond the veil and enter boldly into direct communication with God the Father as encouraged to do in chapter 4: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
2 Corinthians 1:21 “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God….”
Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus….”
That is why the veil of the temple tore from top to bottom when Jesus was on the cross.
Matthew 27:50-51 “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”
No longer was an earthly high priest necessary to serve as a mediator between God and His people. Jesus was the forerunner into the Holy of Holies for those of us who would follow Him in faith, believing His willing sacrifice on the cross to redeem us from sin. Jesus became our High Priest—not after the Levitical order through Aaron, but of the same order as Melchisedec. We noted previously that the position of high priest as inherited through the line of Aaron was temporary. Jesus has been appointed our High Priest forever; no other priest will ever be necessary.
In the next chapter we will learn more about Melchisedec.