Chapter 6:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Philemon James
Hebrews 6
Concise Complete
The Hebrews are urged to go forward in the doctrine of
Christ, and the consequences of apostacy, or turning back, are described. (1-8)
The apostle expresses satisfaction, as to the most of them. (9,10) And
encourages them to persevere in faith and holiness. (11-20)
Verses 1-8 Every
part of the truth and will of God should be set before all who profess the
gospel, and be urged on their hearts and consciences. We should not be always
speaking about outward things; these have their places and use, but often take
up too much attention and time, which might be better employed. The humbled
sinner who pleads guilty, and cries for mercy, can have no ground from this
passage to be discouraged, whatever his conscience may accuse him of. Nor does
it prove that any one who is made a new creature in Christ, ever becomes a final
apostate from him. The apostle is not speaking of the falling away of mere
professors, never convinced or influenced by the gospel. Such have nothing to
fall away from, but an empty name, or hypocritical profession. Neither is he
speaking of partial declinings or backslidings. Nor are such sins meant, as
Christians fall into through the strength of temptations, or the power of some
worldly or fleshly lust. But the falling away here mentioned, is an open and
avowed renouncing of Christ, from enmity of heart against him, his cause, and
people, by men approving in their minds the deeds of his murderers, and all this
after they have received the knowledge of the truth, and tasted some of its
comforts. Of these it is said, that it is impossible to renew them again unto
repentance. Not because the blood of Christ is not sufficient to obtain pardon
for this sin; but this sin, in its very nature, is opposite to repentance and
every thing that leads to it. If those who through mistaken views of this
passage, as well as of their own case, fear that there is no mercy for them,
would attend to the account given of the nature of this sin, that it is a total
and a willing renouncing of Christ, and his cause, and joining with his enemies,
it would relieve them from wrong fears. We should ourselves beware, and caution
others, of every approach near to a gulf so awful as apostacy; yet in doing this
we should keep close to the word of God, and be careful not to wound and terrify
the weak, or discourage the fallen and penitent. Believers not only taste of the
word of God, but they drink it in. And this fruitful field or garden receives
the blessing. But the merely nominal Christian, continuing unfruitful under the
means of grace, or producing nothing but deceit and selfishness, was near the
awful state above described; and everlasting misery was the end reserved for
him. Let us watch with humble caution and prayer as to ourselves.
Verses 9-10 There
are things that are never separated from salvation; things that show the person
to be in a state of salvation, and which will end in eternal salvation. And the
things that accompany salvation, are better things than ever any dissembler or
apostate enjoyed. The works of love, done for the glory of Christ, or done to
his saints for Christ's sake, from time to time, as God gives occasion, are
evident marks of a man's salvation; and more sure tokens of saving grace given,
than the enlightenings and tastings spoken of before. No love is to be reckoned
as love, but working love; and no works are right works, which flow not from
love to Christ.
Verses 11-20 The
hope here meant, is a sure looking for good things promised, through those
promises, with love, desire, and valuing of them. Hope has its degrees, as faith
also. The promise of blessedness God has made to believers, is from God's
eternal purpose, settled between the eternal Father, Son, and Spirit. These
promises of God may safely be depended upon; for here we have two things which
cannot change, the counsel and the oath of God, in which it is not possible for
God to lie; it would be contrary to his nature as well as to his will. And as He
cannot lie; the destruction of the unbeliever, and the salvation of the
believer, are alike certain. Here observe, those to whom God has given full
security of happiness, have a title to the promises by inheritance. The
consolations of God are strong enough to support his people under their heaviest
trials. Here is a refuge for all sinners who flee to the mercy of God, through
the redemption of Christ, according to the covenant of grace, laying aside all
other confidences. We are in this world as a ship at sea, tossed up and down,
and in danger of being cast away. We need an anchor to keep us sure and steady.
Gospel hope is our anchor in the storms of this world. It is sure and stedfast,
or it could not keep us so. The free grace of God, the merits and mediation of
Christ, and the powerful influences of his Spirit, are the grounds of this hope,
and so it is a stedfast hope. Christ is the object and ground of the believer's
hope. Let us therefore set our affections on things above, and wait patiently
for his appearance, when we shall certainly appear with him in glory.
Chapter 6:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Philemon James
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
