Keraia
Hebrews 6

Hebrews 6:17

God’s Unchangeable Promise · Hebrews 6:13–20
Read Hebrews 6

Translations

Modern
So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
Traditional
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Literal
…in which God, willing to show more abundantly the unchangeableness of His purpose to the heirs of the promise, guaranteed it by an oath,
Latin
In quo abundantius volens Deus ostendere pollicitationis hæredibus, immobilitatem consilii sui, interposuit jusjurandum:

Original

Greek
English
So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.

Notes

Hebrews 6:17–18

  • God also made a promise with an oath (a solemn promise), see Hebrews 7:20–22. This oath shows that God will never change his mind because it is impossible for God to lie (see Psalm 110:4).

  • We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us, similiar to people in the Old Testament who accidentally killed someone and sought refuge (Numbers 35:9–34; Deuteronomy 4:41–43). Christ is like a city of refuge, where believers find safety from God's anger. Because of this, Christ's followers have great confidence.

Hebrews 6:13–20

This passage highlights how we can trust God's promises. It uses an example (Hebrews 6:13–15), then explains a general rule (6:16), and finally makes the main point: God made an important promise (6:17–18). This promise gives us hope because it shows Jesus is our eternal high priest (6:19–20).

Hebrews 5:11–6:20

After starting to talk about the role of Jesus as high priest (Hebrews 5:1–10), the author addresses the audience with several encouragements (5:11–6:20). This change in the sermon or speech aimed to capture the listeners' attention.

Theme notes and profiles

God’s Word The Cities of Refuge

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) God, Being and Attributes of Hebrews, Letter to the Heir Inheritance Mediate, Mediator Melchisedec Oath

Topics

Condescension of God: Scriptures Relating To Contraception Contracts by Oaths Covenant of God with Men: Confirmed with an Oath God: Faithfulness of God: Immutable Oath: Attributed to God Perseverance: General Scriptures Concerning Salvation: Plan of The Counsels and Purposes of God are Immutable The Promises of God: Saints: Heirs of Titles and Names of Saints: Heirs of Promise