The big picture
Hebrews 6 opens in verse 1 with “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 10 with “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed…”, and closes in verse 20 with “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after…” Repeated or prominent terms include hope, promise, blessing, dead, doctrine. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Hebrews · King James Version · 20Hebrews 6:1-7
1–7: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on…
Hebrews 6:1–7 opens with “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not…” and reaches “For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hebrews 6 develops its own movement around hope, promise, blessing, dead, doctrine, with particular weight carried by dead, doctrine, laying.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” The line’s distinctive content terms include baptisms, dead, doctrine. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.
Hebrews 6:1-7
King James Version1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3And this will we do, if God permit.
4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Hebrews 6:8-14
8–14: That which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto…
Hebrews 6:8–14 opens with “But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to…” and reaches “Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hebrews 6 develops its own movement around hope, promise, blessing, dead, doctrine, with particular weight carried by Abraham, accompany, assurance.
Context that brings the passage to life
“But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” The line’s distinctive content terms include beareth, briers, burned. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” The line’s distinctive content terms include accompany, beloved, better. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.
Hebrews 6:8-14
King James Version8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Hebrews 6:15-20
15–20: So, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Hebrews 6:15–20 opens with “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” and reaches “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Hebrews 6 develops its own movement around hope, promise, blessing, dead, doctrine, with particular weight carried by hope, oath, promise.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
“For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Hebrews 6:15-20
King James Version15And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17Where in God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18That 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:
19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Hebrews 6:1 begins with “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works…”
Where the chapter turns
Hebrews 6:9 forms a natural hinge: “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.”
The final note
Hebrews 6:20 leaves the reader with “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words hope, promise, blessing, dead, doctrine, faith help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What repeated description explains the judgment?
The earth is corrupt and filled with violence, especially in verses 11-13.
What does obedience look like here?
Detailed preparation, gathering provisions and constructing what God commands.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.