RSV ~ Hebrews 6 Notes
Heb 6:1-2 | ISB Notes
A summary of Christian catechesis in a Jewish context. It was necessary to explain (1) how sacramental Baptism differed from other baptisms, such as the baptism of John (Acts 1:5) and the ritual washings of the Torah (Num 19:11-13), (2) how the imposition of hands in conferring the Spirit (Acts 8:17; 19:6) and priestly ordination (1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6) differed from other forms of the laying on of hands in ancient Judaism (Num 8:10; Deut 34:9), and (3) how the traditional Jewish doctrines of resurrection and judgment (Dan 12:2) must now be understood in relation to Christ (2 Cor 5:10; 1 Thess 4:16) (CCC 1288).
Heb 6:4-8 | ISB Notes
Even a baptized Christian can forfeit salvation and end up cursed rather than blessed (6:8). This dreadful prospect is noted elsewhere in Hebrews at 10:26-31 and 12:15-17. Some interpret this passage as if the author envisions, not a genuine believer, but one who only seems to be a Christian. This has no basis in the text. The person described has come to enlightenment, has partaken of the Spirit, and is capable of falling away through apostasy. Moreover, the illustration in 6:6-7 is meaningless if the individual has not already been showered with heavenâs gifts like a field doused with rain (CCC 679).
Heb 6:4 | ISB Notes
enlightened: Perhaps a reference to Baptism, which was called âenlightenmentâ in early Christian times. This developed from the notion that incorporation into Christ, which is the effect of Baptism (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27), is described in the NT as an enlightening of the believer (2 Cor 4:6; Eph 5:14; 1 Pet 2:9) (CCC 1216).
⢠We are enlightened when we are baptized. The rite is called enlightenment since by it we behold the holy light of salvation, that is, we come to see God clearly (St. Clement of Alexandria, Christ the Teacher 1, 6, 26).
heavenly gift: Probably a reference to the Eucharist. The life-giving humanity of Jesus received in the sacrament is the Fatherâs gift of manna from heaven (Jn 6:32-58).
partakers of the Holy Spirit: i.e., sharing the indwelling presence of the Spirit (Acts 2:38; Rom 8:11) and endowed with his spiritual gifts (Heb 2:4; 1 Cor 12:4-11).
Heb 6:6 | ISB Notes
commit apostasy: The Greek verb means âto fall awayâ in the sense of failing to make good on a commitment. Here the apostate is compared to an executioner who crucifies and humiliates Jesus all over again (CCC 598).
Heb 6:8 | ISB Notes
thorns and thistles: Brushwood is good for nothing but firewood. Jesus uses a similar analogy in Jn 15:5-6.
⢠The expression comes from Gen 3:18, where the sin of Adam brings a curse upon the ground, making it yield âthorns and thistlesâ.
Heb 6:9 | ISB Notes
better things: Shows that the author was cautioning his readers, not condemning them, in the preceding verses (6:48). Their works of service and love show that they are indeed bearing some fruit (6:10).
Heb 6:11 | ISB Notes
until the end: A call to perseverance (6:12). See note on Heb 3:14.
Heb 6:13-20 | ISB Notes
Readers are urged to press ahead in the faith by considering the reliability of God. Because God never lies (Tit 1:2), he can always be taken at his word (Jn 17:17). Nevertheless, because of human weakness, God not only made a verbal promise to bless the world through Abraham (Gen 12:3), but later he strengthened that promise by swearing an irrevocable oath (Gen 22:16-18). In this way, God gave his people a double assurance of what he intended to do (Heb 6:18).
Heb 6:13 | ISB Notes
swore by himself: Oaths involve calling upon God to be a witness and guarantor of the pledge being made (6:16). However, when God swears an oath, he has no superior, so he can invoke only himself (Is 45:23; Jer 22:5).
Heb 6:14 | ISB Notes
Surely I will bless: An excerpt from Gen 22:17.
⢠This is the historic moment when the promise of God to bless the world through Abraham (Gen 12:3) is upgraded to a divinely sworn oath (Gen 22:16-18). The occasion is Abrahamâs sacrifice of Isaac, who is rescued at the last minute and chosen to be the instrument of worldwide blessing. Christian tradition sees the sacrifice of Isaac as a prophetic preview of the sacrifice of Jesus, whose death fulfilled Godâs oath to bless all nations through the offspring of Abraham (Acts 3:25-26; Gal 3:14-16). See note on Rom 8:32.
Heb 6:15 | ISB Notes
Abraham ⌠patiently endured: The patriarch waited about 25 years between Godâs promise to bless him with countless descendants (Gen 15:4-5) and the birth of his first descendant, Isaac (Gen 21:1-5).
Heb 6:17 | ISB Notes
heirs of the promise: The family of Abraham by faith. See note on Heb 2:16.
Heb 6:18 | ISB Notes
the hope: The confident desire for âgloryâ (2:10), ârestâ (4:1), and âblessingâ (6:7). It can keep the believer from drifting (2:1), just as an anchor secures a boat (6:19) (CCC 1820).
Heb 6:19 | ISB Notes
the inner shrine: The dwelling place of God in the heavenly sanctuary. Its earthly counterpart is the âHoly of Holiesâ (9:3), also called the âmost holy placeâ, the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle where the presence of God was curtained off by a decorated veil (Ex 26:31-34).