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Matthew Henry

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 6:17

Wherein God, willing ,.... Or "wherefore", as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it; that is, whereas an oath is used among men to confirm anything that might be doubted; therefore God, in condescension to the weakness of men, made use of one; being very desirous and determined, more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel ; by which is meant, not the Gospel nor the ordinances of it, though these are sometimes called the counsel of God; but the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 6:17

The heirs of promise - All the believing posterity of Abraham, and the nations of the earth or Gentiles in general. The immutability of his counsel - His unchangeable purpose, to call the Gentiles to salvation by Jesus Christ; to justify every penitent by faith; to accept faith in Christ for justification in place of personal righteousness; and finally to bring every persevering believer, whether Jew or Gentile, to eternal glory. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 6:17

Verse 17 17.God, willing, etc. See how kindly God as a gracious Father accommodates himself to our slowness to believe; as he sees that we rest not on his simple word, that he might more fully impress it on our hearts he adds an oath. Hence also it appears how much it concerns us to know that there is such a certainty respecting his goodwill towards us, that there is no longer any occasion for wavering or for trembling. For when God forbids his name to be taken in vain or on a slight occasion,... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:17-20

The anchor of the soul. I. MAN 'S PERIL AND NEED . This is set before us in the striking words, "fleeing for refuge." There is one sort of escape by getting simply out of bondage; there is another by reaching a place of perfect security. Many a bird has escaped from a cage only to become the prey of some wild bird or beast. It has not been able to attain a refuge. The need is further suggested by the word "anchor" (see Acts 27:29 ). The shipmen fear lest the ship will fall on... read more

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