Hebrews 6:12 - Exposition

That ye become not slothful ( νωθροὶ , the same word as was used in Hebrews 5:11 , νωθροὶ ταῖς ἀκοαῖς . There, with regard to intelligence, they were accused of having already become so; here, n here a hopeful view is taken of their prospects, the writer delicately avoids implying that they were so yet in regard to their desire of making progress), but followers ( i.e. following the example—surely a better English word than imitators ) of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. The present participle κληρονομούντων does not confine the sense of the expression to those who are now so inheriting. Abraham being presently adduced as an example, it refits to all who at any time so inherit, equivalent to, "the inheritors of." The drift is—Faith and patience are ever required in order that the Divine promises, however assured, may be inherited: these qualifications (in opposition to your being νωθροὶ ) are what you want for securing your own inheritance.