Have you ever known a person who turned his or her back on Christ and the church and simply walked away? Perhaps you have struggled to maintain your own Christian commitment in the face of disillusionment, spiritual confusion, loss of perspective, or outright persecution. The book of Hebrews points us to Christ. It provides light to help struggling Christians see Jesus clearly and stand firm. S…
1Por tanto, dejando ya los rudimentos de la doctrina de Cristo, vamos adelante a la perfección; no echando otra vez el fundamento del arrepentimiento de obras muertas, de la fe en Dios,
2de la doctrina de bautismos, de la imposición de manos, de la resurrección de los muertos y del juicio eterno.
3Y esto haremos, si Dios en verdad lo permite.
4Porque es imposible que los que una vez fueron iluminados y gustaron del don celestial, y fueron hechos partícipes del Espíritu Santo,
5y asimismo gustaron de la buena palabra de Dios y los poderes del siglo venidero,
6y recayeron, sean otra vez renovados para arrepentimiento, crucificando de nuevo para sí mismos al Hijo de Dios y exponiéndole a vituperio.
7Porque la tierra que bebe la lluvia que muchas veces cae sobre ella, y produce hierba provechosa a aquellos por los cuales es labrada, recibe bendición de Dios;
8pero la que produce espinos y abrojos es reprobada, está próxima a ser maldecida, y su fin es el ser quemada.
9Pero en cuanto a vosotros, oh amados, estamos persuadidos de cosas mejores, y que pertenecen a la salvación, aunque hablamos así.
10Porque Dios no es injusto para olvidar vuestra obra y el trabajo de amor que habéis mostrado hacia su nombre, habiendo servido a los santos y sirviéndoles aún.
11Pero deseamos que cada uno de vosotros muestre la misma solicitud hasta el fin, para plena certeza de la esperanza,
12a fin de que no os hagáis perezosos, sino imitadores de aquellos que por la fe y la paciencia heredan las promesas.
13Porque cuando Dios hizo la promesa a Abraham, no pudiendo jurar por otro mayor, juró por sí mismo,
14diciendo: De cierto te bendeciré con abundancia y te multiplicaré grandemente.
15Y habiendo esperado con paciencia, alcanzó la promesa.
16Porque los hombres ciertamente juran por uno mayor que ellos, y para ellos el fin de toda controversia es el juramento para confirmación.
17Por lo cual, queriendo Dios mostrar más abundantemente a los herederos de la promesa la inmutabilidad de su consejo, interpuso juramento;
18para que por dos cosas inmutables, en las cuales es imposible que Dios mienta, tengamos un fortísimo consuelo los que hemos acudido para asirnos de la esperanza puesta delante de nosotros.
19La cual tenemos como segura y firme ancla del alma, y que penetra hasta dentro del velo,
20donde Jesús entró por nosotros como precursor, hecho sumo sacerdote para siempre según el orden de Melquisedec.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
I
Versículo 1
I. 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic t…
6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25.
6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the new covenant and constitute the basic posture of a Christian’s life (see Acts 20:21).
II
Versículo 2
II. 6:2 The term baptisms (or washings) is plural, so it must mean more than just Christian baptism. …
6:2 The term baptisms (or washings) is plural, so it must mean more than just Christian baptism. Instruction about various washings was prevalent in first-century Judaism (see Matt 15:2; Mark 7:3). The author might also have in mind the cleansing rituals of the Old Testament (cp. Heb 9:13; 10:22). • The laying on of hands was associated with healing (Mark 5:22-23; Luke 13:13), ritual blessing (Matt 19:13, 15), reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17; 9:17; 19:6), and acknowledgement of a person’s ministry (Acts 6:6; 13:3). • resurrection of the dead: See “The Resurrection of the Dead” Theme Note. • eternal judgment: See Rev 20:11-15.
III
Versículo 3
III. 6:3 The author is implicitly exhorting his readers to maturity, not only in their understanding b…
6:3 The author is implicitly exhorting his readers to maturity, not only in their understanding but in everything (cp. 4:11; 5:14; 10:23-39; 12:1-13).
IV
Versículo 4
IV. 6:4-8 This passage, one of the most difficult in the New Testament, gives a harsh warning about t…
6:4-8 This passage, one of the most difficult in the New Testament, gives a harsh warning about those who have left the Christian faith. Those who have fallen away from Christ and the church are like those who fell in the wilderness (3:15-19): The lack of faith shown in such apostasy results in devastating judgment (cp. 10:26-31).
6:4 In Greek, the word impossible begins the sentence for emphasis—it absolutely cannot happen (see also 6:18; 10:4; 11:6). • They were once enlightened when they “first learned about Christ” (see 10:32 and corresponding study note). • The good things of heaven might allude to the manna given from heaven (Exod 16:4, 15; Ps 78:24) as an image of spiritual blessings.
V
Versículo 5
V. 6:5 tasted the goodness of the word of God: These people had heard the word of God preached (2:3-…
6:5 tasted the goodness of the word of God: These people had heard the word of God preached (2:3-4; 4:1-2) and had seen its effects. • the power of the age to come: They had witnessed signs and wonders when they heard the Good News (2:4; cp. Exod 7:3-4; Deut 7:19; Pss 66:3; 77:15-20; 78:9-16; 1 Cor 10:1-13).
VI
Versículo 6
VI. 6:6 then turn (or fall) away: The image is reminiscent of the wilderness wanderers who turned awa…
6:6 then turn (or fall) away: The image is reminiscent of the wilderness wanderers who turned away from obeying God and fell in the desert (3:17; 4:11; Num 14:1-4, 29-30). • to bring such people back to repentance: They had repented before, but had no fruit from their repentance (Heb 6:7-8). When people turn their back on Christ and his superior sacrifice, it is impossible for them to find any other means of repentance. • Rejecting the Son of God constitutes nailing him to the cross once again. Crucifixion was the ultimate instrument of rejection and humiliation in the Greco-Roman world and brought public shame. Those who turned away from Christ had in effect joined those who stood before the cross shouting insults, insisting that Jesus was not really the Messiah and Son of God but was instead worthy of shame (see Matt 27:39-44).
VII
Versículo 7
VII. 6:7-8 ground: Good, productive land is an image of blessing, contrasted with the curse of unprodu…
6:7-8 ground: Good, productive land is an image of blessing, contrasted with the curse of unproductive land that bears thorns and thistles. To burn such a field is an image of judgment (2 Sam 23:4-7; Isa 10:17; 33:12; Ezek 19:12-13; Matt 3:10).
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. 6:9-12 Having confronted his readers with a stern warning (6:4-8), the author now softens that wa…
6:9-12 Having confronted his readers with a stern warning (6:4-8), the author now softens that warning by greeting them as dear friends, expressing confidence in them, and giving them further encouragement.
6:9 We are confident: Skilled speakers and writers express confidence in those they address to motivate them (cp. Rom 15:14). • The author is confident that his hearers’ lives give evidence of a true relationship with God, including salvation. In the New Testament, salvation primarily refers to Christ’s work on the cross (Heb 5:9-10; see also study note on 2:3); Hebrews places emphasis on the consummation of salvation at the end of the age (9:28).
IX
Versículo 10
IX. 6:10 He will not forget how hard you have worked: In showing that they love God and his people, t…
6:10 He will not forget how hard you have worked: In showing that they love God and his people, their works bear witness to their true relationship with God (Rom 2:6-7; 1 Cor 3:13-15; Jas 2:14-20). God remembers (Exod 2:24; 1 Chr 16:15; Ps 106:45) and acknowledges those who are truly his.
X
Versículo 11
X. 6:11 keep on loving others (literally show the same eager commitment): Love of other believers is…
6:11 keep on loving others (literally show the same eager commitment): Love of other believers is a hallmark of genuine Christian faith (Jas 2:15-16; 1 Jn 3:16-20). Through diligence and focused commitment, they can make their hope in Christ absolutely certain. Assurance of salvation comes through perseverance.
XI
Versículo 12
XI. 6:12 A focused commitment (6:10-11) is the antidote to being spiritually dull (5:11-12). By lovin…
6:12 A focused commitment (6:10-11) is the antidote to being spiritually dull (5:11-12). By loving God and others, we follow the example of great people of the faith. The author puts a great deal of emphasis on both faith and endurance as normal requirements for God’s people (see 11:4-38).
XII
Versículo 13
XII. 6:13-20 This passage focuses on the reliability of God’s faithfulness to his promises. The theme …
6:13-20 This passage focuses on the reliability of God’s faithfulness to his promises. The theme of God’s oath is developed with an illustration (6:13-15), followed by a general principle (6:16), followed by the main point: God has sworn a significant oath (6:17-18), which gives us hope because it shows that Jesus is our permanent High Priest (6:19-20).
6:13-14 Abraham was the premier exemplar of faith: He continued to believe that God would give him a son, then was willing to sacrifice that son in obedience to God (11:17-19; Gen 15:1-5; 22:1-14). In response to Abraham’s faith, God took an oath, assuring Abraham that he would bless him and multiply his descendants.
XIII
Versículo 15
XIII. 6:15 what God had promised: Through Isaac, God made Abraham into a great nation (Exod 1:7).
6:15 what God had promised: Through Isaac, God made Abraham into a great nation (Exod 1:7).
XIV
Versículo 16
XIV. 6:16 It is a general principle in human relationships that when people take an oath, the oath is …
6:16 It is a general principle in human relationships that when people take an oath, the oath is binding. If in human contexts oaths give assurance that something is true, an oath from God ought to inspire much greater confidence (6:17-19). • someone greater than themselves: Cp. 6:13.
XV
Versículo 17
XV. 6:17-18 God also bound himself with an oath: See 7:20-22. God’s oath makes it clear that he would…
6:17-18 God also bound himself with an oath: See 7:20-22. God’s oath makes it clear that he would never change his mind . . . because it is impossible for God to lie (see Ps 110:4). • We have fled to him for refuge, like those in the Old Testament era who killed someone accidentally (Num 35:9-34; Deut 4:41-43); Christ is like a city of refuge, where believers escape God’s wrath. Christ’s followers, therefore, have great confidence.
16
Versículo 19
16. 6:19-20 Christian hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. In the first century, an…
6:19-20 Christian hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. In the first century, an anchor was an image of stability and safety. • through the curtain: A curtain separated the outer room of the sanctuary, into which only priests could go, from the inner room, the Most Holy Place (Exod 25:10-40). Only the high priest could go into the Most Holy Place, and only once per year on the Day of Atonement (Exod 29; Lev 16:1-25). Because of Jesus’ extraordinary high priesthood, he has already gone in there for us into the presence of God as our eternal High Priest, and he leads us in with him (Heb 10:19-23). • the order of Melchizedek: This phrase introduces the discussion in 7:1-28.
Nuevo Testamento
Hebrews — Capítulo 6
Have you ever known a person who turned his or her back on Christ and the church and simply walked away? Perhaps you have struggled to maintain your own Christian commitment in the face of disillusionment, spiritual confusion, loss of perspective, or outright persecution. The book of Hebrews points us to Christ. It provides light to help struggling Christians see Jesus clearly and stand firm. S…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Por tanto, dejando ya los rudimentos de la doctrina de Cristo, vamos adelante a la perfección; no echando otra vez el fundamento del arrepentimiento de obras muertas, de la fe en Dios,
2de la doctrina de bautismos, de la imposición de manos, de la resurrección de los muertos y del juicio eterno.
3Y esto haremos, si Dios en verdad lo permite.
4Porque es imposible que los que una vez fueron iluminados y gustaron del don celestial, y fueron hechos partícipes del Espíritu Santo,
5y asimismo gustaron de la buena palabra de Dios y los poderes del siglo venidero,
6y recayeron, sean otra vez renovados para arrepentimiento, crucificando de nuevo para sí mismos al Hijo de Dios y exponiéndole a vituperio.
7Porque la tierra que bebe la lluvia que muchas veces cae sobre ella, y produce hierba provechosa a aquellos por los cuales es labrada, recibe bendición de Dios;
8pero la que produce espinos y abrojos es reprobada, está próxima a ser maldecida, y su fin es el ser quemada.
9Pero en cuanto a vosotros, oh amados, estamos persuadidos de cosas mejores, y que pertenecen a la salvación, aunque hablamos así.
10Porque Dios no es injusto para olvidar vuestra obra y el trabajo de amor que habéis mostrado hacia su nombre, habiendo servido a los santos y sirviéndoles aún.
11Pero deseamos que cada uno de vosotros muestre la misma solicitud hasta el fin, para plena certeza de la esperanza,
12a fin de que no os hagáis perezosos, sino imitadores de aquellos que por la fe y la paciencia heredan las promesas.
13Porque cuando Dios hizo la promesa a Abraham, no pudiendo jurar por otro mayor, juró por sí mismo,
14diciendo: De cierto te bendeciré con abundancia y te multiplicaré grandemente.
15Y habiendo esperado con paciencia, alcanzó la promesa.
16Porque los hombres ciertamente juran por uno mayor que ellos, y para ellos el fin de toda controversia es el juramento para confirmación.
17Por lo cual, queriendo Dios mostrar más abundantemente a los herederos de la promesa la inmutabilidad de su consejo, interpuso juramento;
18para que por dos cosas inmutables, en las cuales es imposible que Dios mienta, tengamos un fortísimo consuelo los que hemos acudido para asirnos de la esperanza puesta delante de nosotros.
19La cual tenemos como segura y firme ancla del alma, y que penetra hasta dentro del velo,
20donde Jesús entró por nosotros como precursor, hecho sumo sacerdote para siempre según el orden de Melquisedec.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
Versículo 1
I. 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic t…
Versículo 2
II. 6:2 The term baptisms (or washings) is plural, so it must mean more than just Christian baptism. …
Versículo 3
III. 6:3 The author is implicitly exhorting his readers to maturity, not only in their understanding b…
Versículo 4
IV. 6:4-8 This passage, one of the most difficult in the New Testament, gives a harsh warning about t…
Versículo 5
V. 6:5 tasted the goodness of the word of God: These people had heard the word of God preached (2:3-…
Versículo 6
VI. 6:6 then turn (or fall) away: The image is reminiscent of the wilderness wanderers who turned awa…
Versículo 7
VII. 6:7-8 ground: Good, productive land is an image of blessing, contrasted with the curse of unprodu…
Versículo 9
VIII. 6:9-12 Having confronted his readers with a stern warning (6:4-8), the author now softens that wa…
Versículo 10
IX. 6:10 He will not forget how hard you have worked: In showing that they love God and his people, t…
Versículo 11
X. 6:11 keep on loving others (literally show the same eager commitment): Love of other believers is…
Versículo 12
XI. 6:12 A focused commitment (6:10-11) is the antidote to being spiritually dull (5:11-12). By lovin…
Versículo 13
XII. 6:13-20 This passage focuses on the reliability of God’s faithfulness to his promises. The theme …
Versículo 15
XIII. 6:15 what God had promised: Through Isaac, God made Abraham into a great nation (Exod 1:7).
Versículo 16
XIV. 6:16 It is a general principle in human relationships that when people take an oath, the oath is …
Versículo 17
XV. 6:17-18 God also bound himself with an oath: See 7:20-22. God’s oath makes it clear that he would…
Versículo 19
16. 6:19-20 Christian hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. In the first century, an…