Fathers

Hebrews 6

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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, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If 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. For 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: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For 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. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 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: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

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What the Fathers say

Hebrews 6:13

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Having boldly reflected on the faults of the Hebrews, and sufficiently alarmed them, he consoles them, first, by praises, and secondly (which also is the stronger ground), by the thought that they would certainly attain the object of their hope. Moreover he draws his consolation, not from things future, but again from the past, which indeed would the rather persuade them. …

Homily on Hebrews 11 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since there were many who inherited the promises by faith, he has for now passed over all the rest, leaving them for later, and recalls only Abraham, both because of the importance of his person, and especially because he both was deemed worthy of and received the promise. And by this he also shows that one must not give in to faintheartedness, but hope in God, Who customarily does not fulfill a promise quickly, but after a long time. And when did God "swear by Himself"? …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

Of those who through faith inherited the promises, many have died, but they were kept safe for others; he only remembers Abraham, both because of the dignity of his person and because he especially was deemed worthy and attained the promises. And through this, he shows that one should not be faint-hearted, but should wait for God, having the habit not to hastily bring about the promised things, but through a long time. "He swore by Himself." When did God swear by himself? …

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

311. – Above, the Apostle showed why he had confidence in them, namely, because of the good they performed; here he shows the same because of the promise made to the Patriarchs. Hence, he does two things: first, he mentions the promise; secondly, he assigns the reason for what he says (v. 16). In regard to the first he does three things: first, he shows to whom the promise was made; secondly, he shows that the way the promise was given was suitable (v. 13b); thirdly, the effect of the promise (v. 15). 312. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗