Hebrews 6:12-20

The Hope Set Before Us

What it says:

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Heb 6:13  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Heb 6:14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

What it means:

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

What are we to be? Not slothful.

Define: Slothful – lazy, idle, sluggish, inactive, indolent (laid-back, lethargic), apathetic, (Antonym: energetic, industrious)

What do followers inherit? The promises.

Through what do they inherit the promises? Faith and Patience.

Heb 6:13  For when God made promise to Abraham,

Think about this:

What do the righteous do with a command from God?

What do the righteous do with the law of God?

What do the righteous do with a promise of God?

A command is obeyed, and the law is heeded. They both require something from us, but God’s promise depends entirely on Him – our part is simply to trust Him. Faith and patience are based on belief and through them both we inherit the promise of God which is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Who is greater than God?

Define: Sware (swear) – vow, pledge, give your word, affirm, guarantee; insist, maintain, claim, declare, assert

Gen 22:16-18  And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

In Gen 22:16-18 God states why He is making His promise and giving His oath to Abraham using the word “because.”

What was God’s first “because?”  "Because thou hast done this thing"

What had Abraham done? He did not withhold his son.

What was God’s second “because?” "Because thou hast obeyed my voice."

The whole world was blessed because of this one man’s obedience. The world had been cursed because of Adam’s disobedience. Being men and women, we are not often aware of the actual affect of our obedience or disobedience. Obedience is important.  (Optional: read Genesis 22:1-19)

Heb 6:14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

What two things did God say He was going to do? He said he would both bless them and multiply their numbers.

Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

What had Abraham done to obtain the promise? He had patiently endured.
Patient endurance and obedience are the same thing. Obedience is what we do, patient endurance is how we do it.

Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: 

Men, naturally not trusting each other, have to swear by something greater than themselves if they desire that their word be trusted. They swear by things like the stars in heaven, or on their mother’s grave. It means nothing to us, nowadays, but back when men said these kinds of things they were trying to impress someone with just how honest, sincere, and trustworthy they were. We think of this as trying to wheedle a dishonest deal, or to manipulate.

Jas 5:12  But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

Define: Oath – G3727, ὅρκος, horkos, hor'-kos, her'-kos, From ἕρκος herkos (a fence;); a limit, that is, (sacred) restraint (specifically oath): - oath. -- solemn promise, a legally binding pledge, vow, word (bond), the words said when making a formal pledge, especially when reciting a conventional formula such as that used in a court of law

Define: Confirmation – authorization, approval, sanction, endorsement, ratification; corroboration, verification, substantiation, proof, authentication, evidence, affirmation

Define: Strife – trouble, conflict, discord, contention, fighting, dissension, friction, rivalry

With men, when an oath or promise is given, the argument comes to an end. To men, when there has been authorization or authentication of an oath or a promise made, then the fighting stops. Peace is brought about and everyone is satisfied. It is a done deal.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Philo, with his usual subtle refinements, observes that whereas our word is accredited because of an oath, God’s oath derives its credit because He is God.

Heb 6:17  Wherein God,

God’s ways are so far above our ways!! This is like a “But God” – meaning God has something spectacular in store:

willing more abundantly

Define:  Willing – eager, keen, enthusiastic, ready, prepared, agreeable, disposed, (Antonym: reluctant)

Define: Abundantly – plentifully, copiously, richly, profusely, lavishly

God is more than willing to use speech and metaphors that men understand. That is how God works. He knows how to speak so we understand what He is saying because His desire and will is to communicate with us. God did not speak Norwegian to Abraham. He would not have understood. But God…. Is both willing to bless and able to bless more abundantly than we can even imagine.

1Co_2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

For whom does God have marvelous things prepared?  For them that love him!

to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel,

Define: Immutability – not subject to change, unchanging, unchallengeable, absolute (total, complete); not able to be forfeited, or given up, or surrendered; unassailable (unquestionable, irrefutable), incontrovertible (incontestable, unarguable), indisputable, undeniable

Define: Counsel – G1012, βουλή, boulē, boo-lay', From G1014; volition, that is, (objectively) advice, or (by implication) purpose: - + advise, counsel, will. -- -- counsel, purpose -- -- advice, guidance, direction, warning, support

Define: Volition – the act of exercising the will, wish, will, decision, choice, desire, preference, option (Antonym: coercion)

God’s counsel, being His will or volition, cannot be challenged. (Deo Volente = God’s will). God was proving to the descendants of Abraham that His promise was not going to change and still remains today, because it is His immutable will. God, Himself, is immutable… unchangeable… and so is His will, His word, and His oath.

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Mal 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not;…

Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

confirmed it by an oath:

What did God confirm with His oath?

Heb 6:17 (ESV)  So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,

Expositor’s Bible Commentary: The condition is transferred from the faith of Abraham to the faithfulness of God. In this lies the oath. God pledges His own existence on the fulfillment of His promise. He says no longer, "If thou canst believe," but "As true as I live."

Gen 22:16-18  And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

There were, in God’s abundance, four major promises given:

(1)    “in blessing I will bless thee” Abraham had the most sincere faith in God that a man can have and God blessed him for that faith. He truly trusted God in every area of his life and that is where God blessed him: every area of his life!

Gen_24:1  And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

(2)     “in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore”

Mat_3:9  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Gal_3:7  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

(3)     “thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies” which will confirm both His promise and His oath. “Possessing the gate of his enemies” means to be in authority over them. Remember when we talked about Jesus possessing the keys to the gates of death and hell?…. He has authority over the enemy.

Rev_1:18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

(4)    “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” which also confirms His promise and His oath.

Gal_3:8  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 

Gal_3:14  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Rom_8:1-2  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

And there, in (3) and (4), are two of the promises that are fulfilled by Christ our Lord and Savior! Hallelujah!  We receive all of the promises, just as Abraham did, by faith, in Jesus Christ -- who is the Son of God.

Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation,

What is impossible for God? It truly is impossible for God to lie. He is the God of Truth!

What are the two immutable things? (vs 17) 1. God's oath, and 2. God's will

What might we have because of God’s two immutable things? Strong consolation!

Define: Consolation – comfort, solace (succor, help), relief, support, (Antonym: grief)

Define: Assurance – a pledge, promise, or declaration that inspires or is intended to inspire confidence. Confidence in stated abilities, or results; guarantee, oath, promise, reassurance, assertion

We may completely trust in Him and in His immutable, unchangeable, matchless word!! Hallelujah!!

Believer’s Bible Commentary: The believer now has two unchangeable things on which to rely—His word and His oath. It is impossible to imagine anything more secure or certain. God promises to save all who believe on Christ; then He confirms it with an oath. The conclusion is inevitable: the believer is eternally secure.

The two immutable things were God’s oath and His counsel (meaning His will, His purpose, and His promise) which rest on His divine character. They were immutable because God, who is, Himself, immutable, changeless, and absolute, does not lie. He is the God of truth. Because of God’s unimpeachable character, we have strong consolation.

Think about having “strong consolation:” a powerful, robust, and constant source of comfort, solace, relief, and support because we trust in the Immutable God of all comfort:

Psa 34:17-19  The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 

2Th 2:16-17  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

Rom 15:5-6  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Psa 119:75-77  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

BBC: In the remainder of chapter 6 the writer employs four figures to drive home the utter reliability of the Christian hope: (1) a city of refuge, (2) an anchor, (3) a forerunner, and (4) a High Priest.
First, those who are true believers are pictured as fleeing from this doomed world to the heavenly city of refuge. To encourage them in their flight, God has given them an unfailing hope based upon His word and His oath.

who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Define: Refuge – safe haven, sanctuary, shelter, protection, place of safety, asylum, harbor, retreat

What does it mean to flee for refuge? To run away from danger.

In fleeing for refuge what do we wish to accomplish? To find a safe haven.

When we come to Christ we are fleeing…. From many things: Our sin. Our past. Our fears. The devil who torments us through addiction. There are many things for which we come to Christ. Remember those heavy burdens? That is why we fled to Christ for refuge, and a safe haven at the throne of grace.

That is what we flee from. What we flee to, being Christ, is to grab hold of the hope that is set before us like a prize.

What do you think “set before us” means? It means, literally, "placed in front of us."
What has been set before us is the hope that rests on the immutability of God, Himself and the consolation He gives! His eager willingness to bless us abundantly in Jesus Christ is eternal. God never changes. There is no other God!

Isa_44:8  Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no (other) God; I know not any.
Psa 48:14  For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Psa_23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

It is called “set before us” because it is the gift of God. Just like a place setting on a table, it is already in place before the guests arrive. All we must do is attend the banquet, pull up a chair, and partake. He has placed eternal life before us with the promise that in Christ we shall live forever. It has been confirmed by the resurrection and His ascension. If we are going to win the prize, we must run the race -- through faith and patience we inherit the promises.

1Co 9:24-27  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

We see, again, the idea that we must remain steadfast unto the end. Paul did not want to become a castaway, himself, after he had been the preacher of Christ to others so he kept his body under subjection through the exercise of self control (patience) and faith in Christ.

Php 3:12-15  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Our hope in Christ enables us to let go of the past, trust in the forgiveness of God, and follow after Him. Reaching forth, pressing toward the mark for the prize.

What is the prize? "The high calling of God in Christ Jesus" is the prize!  The fact that God has called each one of us is the prize that is beyond compare! The babes needed keener knowledge of the anchor of hope to remain steadfast unto the end. We do too!

Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

Define: Anchor – device to hold a ship in place, any device that keeps an object in place, something dependable, someone who provides stability; fasten, secure, attach, fix, affix, (Antonym: unfasten)

What anchors us? Hope of a safe haven in Jesus Christ.

What does it anchor? The soul.

What does a ship’s anchor do? It holds the ship in place. Our hope in Christ holds our souls steady and in place. A soul, like a ship, is a floating object until it is anchored by faith in Christ. A ship or a soul without an anchor can wander around getting into trouble, getting caught on things, or breaking apart in rough water. The soul of the man who does not know Christ is, indeed, heavy and wandering around looking for ways to ease his burden. Emotions can go up and down with the waves of the sea of circumstances. An anchor does not only keep a ship in place, it makes it easier to maneuver in a storm. It keeps the ship on course. Steady as she goes in Christ. It is important to also notice that it is the anchor that keeps the ship steady, not the ship. When we finally surrender our safety to the anchor of hope that is Jesus Christ, the ship no longer wanders. Even if a storm comes along we remain steady as she goes because we are anchored in Christ.

both sure and stedfast,

Define: Sure – certain, in no doubt, convinced, positive, confident, definite, clear in your mind, persuaded (Antonym: uncertain)

Define: Steadfast – firm and unwavering in purpose, loyalty, or resolve. Fixed, unwavering, unfaltering, persistent, dedicated, unswerving, trusty, dependable, stalwart (strong, resolute), faithful, reliable, trustworthy, constant, devoted (Antonym: inconstant)

What is both sure and steadfast? Hope in Christ is the sure and steadfast anchor of our souls. Jesus, being the Son of God, is also immutable, unchangeable, and absolute. We may hope in him with a sure and steadfast hope.

Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

BBC: In the storms and trials of life this hope serves as an anchor of the soul. The knowledge that our glorification is as certain as if it had already happened keeps us from drifting on the wild waves of doubt and despair.

and which entereth into that within the veil;

What comes to mind when you think of “within the veil?” I think of safe beyond the curtain dividing heaven and earth. What is the “that” that is within the veil? Christ, our hope, has entered the most holy place where God resides. Jesus is already anchored in heaven for us. Jesus is within the veil.

BBC: The anchor is not cast in the shifting sands of this world but takes hold in the heavenly sanctuary. Since our hope is the anchor, the meaning is that our hope is secured in God's very Presence behind the veil. Just as sure as the anchor is there, we shall be there also.

Jesus is our hope and He has entered into the veil before us… making a way, and preparing a place for us.

Joh_14:2-3  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

When God instructed Moses concerning the first tabernacle, with the veil or curtain separating the Holy Place from the rest of the temple, He described the purpose of the holy place like this:

Exo_25:22  And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

What was behind the veil was the mercy sea or throne from which God spoke to Moses in the temple. God wanted communion between His Holy Self, and our unrighteous selves. God loves us so eagerly that He provided the way to accomplish this.

Lev_16:2  And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

If we went to God without Jesus, we would die! The veil allows us the opportunity to change, through faith in Christ. We are mutable. God is immutable. Jesus, being the Son of God, is also immutable. He inhabited the tabernacle of flesh in order to represent us to God, as well as represent God to us. He is able to go between the mutable and the immutable, preserving God’s holy purpose, and our eternal souls!

Moses was to instruct Aaron, the high priest, that he was NOT to go behind the veil, that holy place, at just any old time he felt like it. If he had done that he would have died because God was in the cloud upon the mercy seat. Aaron, the high priest, was permitted to go behind the veil once a year on the Day of Atonement – and that was it. There was no other time he could go in.

Mar 15:37-38  And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

The day Jesus made atonement for the world is the day that God opened the veil in the Temple!! Only in Jesus Christ, do we have personal access to the One True and Holy God. In the NT we need no longer fear death to approach God. We may boldly go to the Throne of Grace when we are in need of help because Jesus, our Savior and High Priest, who sits next to the Father on the Throne of Grace -- the Mercy seat – has and is interceding for us.

Isa 53:11-12  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus,

Define: Forerunner – a runner ahead, that is, spy or scout  (pioneer, originator) – run forward, outstrip,  precede, lead, come first, go before, pave the way

Where did Jesus “enter?” He entered "within the veil" or within heaven itself.

For whom did he enter? "For us!!"

Jesus is the forerunner, the scout who pioneered the way and went before us, to lead us into the most holy place.

Vincent’s Word Studies: It expresses an entirely new idea, lying completely outside of the Levitical system. The Levitical high priest did not enter the sanctuary as a forerunner, but only as the people's representative. He entered a place into which none might follow him; in the people's stead, and not as their pioneer. The peculiarity of the new economy is that Christ as high priest goes nowhere where his people cannot follow him. He introduces man into full fellowship with God.

Joh 14:1-4  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

How long will Jesus be our high priest? Jesus is called a high priest forever, because he entered the eternal holy place in heaven where God resides.

The word “order” refers to a group of distinguished persons; in this case it means “priesthood.” The order of Aaron’s priesthood contains Aaron and all his descendents. The order of Melchisedec’s priesthood has two people:  Melchisedec and Jesus Christ. Both Aaron and Melchisedec are significant only in being “ types” of Christ in the OT that our author is using to explain Jesus Christ in the NT.

BBC: The fourth figure is that of High Priest. Our Lord has become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. His eternal priesthood guarantees our eternal preservation. Just as surely as we have been reconciled to God by His death, so surely are we saved by His life as our Priest at God's right hand.

Rom 5:8-11  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

BBC: This mention of Jesus as High Priest in the order of Melchizedek reminds us that this subject was interrupted at Heb_5:10 when the author digressed on the extended warning against apostasy. Now he is ready to resume his theme that Christ's high priesthood is superior to Aaron's. He has skillfully returned to the main flow of argument.

Let’s read our verses once more:

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Heb 6:13  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Heb 6:14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.