Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Messiah, let us press
on to maturity — not re-laying a foundation of repentance from dead, sinful works,
of faith toward God,
of the teaching of baptisms and laying on of hands, the
resurrection of the dead, and the judgment of the age to come.
This we will do, if God permits.
For concerning those who have once been enlightened
and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in holy spirit,
and have tasted the goodness of the Gospel-word of God and the miraculous powers of the age to come,
and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to
repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again,
putting him to open shame.
For soil which drinks the rain that falls often on
it and grows useful plants for those who garden, receives a blessing from
God.But if the soil grows thorns and thistles, it is useless and about to be cursed, and its end is to be burned up.But, beloved, we are convinced of better things for you, things which will lead to salvation, even though we are speaking like this.
For God is not unjust,
to forget your work and the love you have shown for His name and cause, in having
served and continuing to serve the saints.
We desire that each one of you
shows this same diligence for the fulfillment of your hope until the end,
so
that you will not become lazy, but imitators of those who through faith and
perseverance will inherit the promises.For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by
no one greater, He swore by Himself
with these words, “Surely I will bless
you, and surely I will multiply you.”
And so having persevered, Abraham
obtained the promise.
16 For people swear by someone greater than
themselves, and with them an oath is a confirmation to end all dispute.
17 In
the same way God, determined to show more clearly to the heirs of the
promise that His purpose was unchangeable, guaranteed it with an oath,
18 so
that by two unchangeable things, since it is impossible for God to lie,[1400]
we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to hold tightly to the
hope set before us.
19 This hope is like an anchor of the soul, a hope both
secure and strong which enters the most holy place behind the curtain;
20 where Jesus has entered as a
pioneer for us, having become a high priest forever in the order of
Melchizedek.
Commentary
Hebrews
[1399]
Not of course the ultimate promise of the life of the age to come in the future Kingdom, which
depends on Abraham’s resurrection, but the historical promises already fulfilled, particularly the birth
of a son when Abraham and Sarah were old. Israel of course entered the land under Joshua, but there
will be a final, future entry into the land/Kingdom for all the saints, with Jesus at his return.
[1400]
It is impossible for God to lie or die. Jesus the Son of God died (Rom. 5:10) and cannot
therefore be God!
Hebrews