Hebrews 6:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 6:9-20

The apostle, having applied himself to the fears of the Hebrews, in order to excite their diligence and prevent their apostasy, now proceeds to apply himself to their hopes, and candidly declares the good hope he had concerning them, that they would persevere; and proposes to them the great encouragements they had in the way of their duty. I. He freely and openly declares the good hope he had concerning them, that they would endure to the end: But beloved, we are persuaded better things of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 6:13-20

6:13-20 When God made his promise to Abraham, since he was not able to swear by anyone greater, he swore by himself. "Certainly," he said, "I will bless you and I will multiply you." When Abraham had thus exercised patience he received the promise. Men swear by someone who is greater than themselves; and an oath serves for a guarantee beyond all possibility of contradiction. But on this occasion God, in his quite exceptional desire to make clear to the heirs of the promise the unalterable... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 6:16

For men verily swear by the greater ,.... These words contain a reason why God swore by himself, and why his promises, having an oath annexed to them, ought to be believed. Men when they swear, they swear by the greater; not by themselves, as God does, because there is one greater than they; not by any of the creatures on earth, nor by the angels in heaven, but by God; because he is the God of truth, the searcher of hearts, and who can take vengeance on perjurers: and an oath may lawfully be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 6:16

Men verily swear by the greater - One who has greater authority; who can take cognizance of the obligation, and punish the breach of it. An oath for confirmation - " This observation teaches us," says Dr. Macknight, "that both promissory oaths concerning things lawful and in our power, and oaths for the confirmation of things doubtful, when required by proper authority, and taken religiously, are allowable under the Gospel." read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 6:16

Verse 16 16.For men, etc. It is an argument from the less to the greater; if credit is given to man, who is by nature false, when he swears, and for this reason, because he confirms what he says by God’s name, how much more credit is due to God, who is eternal truth, when he swears by himself? Now he mentions several things to commend this declaration; and first he says that men swear by the greater; by which he means that they who are wanting in due authority borrow it from another. He adds... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:9-20

Another exhortation to steadfastness. Each stage in the argument of the Epistle is relieved by a hortatory passage intended to confirm and cheer the Hebrews in their Christian faith. Indeed, the one duty upon Which the whole book lays stress is that of believing steadfastness. I. THE EXHORTATION . It assumes various forms. 1. " Be not sluggish. " ( Hebrews 6:12 ) The Hebrews, in the perplexity of their situation by reason of the temptations of Judaism, had begun to sink... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:11-20

The influence of hope on Christian steadfastness. The third part of the parenthesis. To the solemn warning against apostasy he hastens to add how they can be delivered from the evil, and tells them of the power of hope on Christian steadfastness. I. THE WRITER ENCOURAGES THE CULTIVATION OF CHRISTIAN HOPE . He says he is full of hope with regard to them, and desires that they would cherish that hope for themselves. (Note: It is remarkable, if the previous verses are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:13-20

The encouragements to cherish the hope of eternal life. These assume that there is a strong disposition in men to doubt the veracity of the Divine promise, and in adorable condescension God gives us ample evidence to justify our faith and perseverance. It must be confessed that the abandonment of the Jewish Law, separation from the synagogue, the surrender of earthly pleasure, and submission to manifold trials, require varied reasons to convince and to maintain the conviction of the claims... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:16-20

For men swear by the greater: and of every dispute of theirs (literally, to them), the oath is final (literally, an end ) for confirmation ( εἰς βεβαίωσιν being connected with πέρας , not, as in the A.V., with ὅρκος ) . Here begins the explanation of the meaning and purpose of the Divine oath, already cursorily touched on in Hebrews 6:13 . God thus, for full assurance, condescends to the form of confirmation most binding among men when they promise to each other. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 6:16

For men verily swear by the greater - That is, they appeal to God. They never swear by one who is inferior to themselves. The object of the apostle in this declaration is to show that as far as this could be done it had been by God. He could not indeed swear by one greater than himself, but he could make his promise as certain as an oath taken by people was when they solemnly appealed to him. He could appeal to his own existence and veracity, which was at any time the most solemn form of an... read more

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