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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 6:9

Verse 9 9.But we are persuaded, etc. As the preceding sentences were like thunderbolts, by which readers might have been struck dead, it was needful to mitigate this severity. He therefore says now, that he did not speak in this strain, as though he entertained such an opinion of them. And doubtless whosoever wishes to do good by teaching, ought so to treat his disciples as ever to add encouragement to them rather than to diminish it, for there is nothing that can alienate us more from... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 6:10

Verse 10 10.For God is not unrighteous, etc. These words signify as much as though he had said, that from good beginnings he hoped for a good end. But here a difficulty arises, because he seems to say that God is bound by the services of men: “I am persuaded,” he says, “as to your salvation, because God cannot forget your works.” He seems thus to build salvation on works, and to make God a debtor to them. And the sophists, who oppose the merits of works to the grace of God, make much of this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:1-8

No standing still in religion. This thought underlies the whole passage. To pass into God's kingdom means to move with it. It is impossible to maintain a halt in the Christian life; to stand still is to fall away. I. THE DUTY OF PRESSING ON UNTO PERFECTION . ( Hebrews 6:1-3 ) This perfection is twofold: It is sinful to remain only a babe in Christ, and. to have no wish to grow. Note, that to "leave the first principles" does not mean to abandon them. Rather, we are to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:4-8

The motives to perseverance supplied by the sin and punishment of apostasy. The outlines of the experience of some who have gone back from following Christ are very full and distinct. They include illumination, by which they were translated out of darkness into marvelous light. They had tasted of the heavenly gift of salvation, and had been justified freely by his grace. The Holy Spirit had dwelt within him. They had tasted the good Word of God in the precious promise of eternal life,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:4-10

The damager of apostasy arising from immature apprehension of Christian truth. Continuation of the parenthetical clause on the coil of inability to apprehend the deeper truths about Christ. Whatever this passage means, it contains nothing to discourage the true believer. 1. Because of the plain declarations that the believer cannot perish. This is not a confidence based on isolated texts, though, if any truth may rest on such, it is surely this; but it rests on the most fundamental... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:7-8

For land which hath drunk in the oft-coming rain upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whom (not, as in A.V., "by whom") it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God; but if it beareth thorns and thistles (not, as in A.V., "that which beareth"), it is rejected, and nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned (literally, for burning; cf. Isaiah 44:15 , ἵνα ᾗ ἀνθρώποις εἰς καῦσιν ). The illustration is apt and close. Observe that the "land which hath... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:7-8

Teaching from the good land and the bad. Here is a reminiscence of the parable of the seed in the four kinds of ground. The soil becomes invested with a kind of personality. One thinks, too, of that fig tree which the Lord withered up. And it may not be so entirely fanciful, as at first it appears to give land a sort of individuality; so that one piece of soil will behave in one way, and another in another. If, for instance, there be any real basis for the reputation attaching to certain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:9

But, beloved, we are persuaded , etc. Here, as in Hebrews 4:14 , warning is succeeded by words of encouragement and hope. The reason for not only a hope, but even a persuasion, that God will keep them from apostasy, is given in the following verse. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:9-12

Confident expectation. I. THE PERSUASION AND PROOF OF THEIR HOPEFUL CONDITION . After the solemn and alarming appeals to their conscience, the inspired writer addresses them with brotherly affection, and, having styled them "beloved," expresses his persuasion that there was in them things that accompanied salvation. They gave clear evidence that they were in Christ, and therefore far from that state of profane contempt which exposed to such fearful retribution. This... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:9-12

Great attention needed to maintain the Christian's hope. I. THE WRITER 'S TONE OF AFFECTIONATE SOLICITUDE . He who has twice addressed his readers as brethren, now calls them beloved. His affection is hitherto implied; now it needs for a moment to be asserted; and the brotherhood must also be borne in mind, though not asserted. The readers of the Epistle might ask, "Why does this man lecture us so, calling us νωθροί , and exhibiting to us such dreadful possibilities... read more

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