Hebrews 6:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you."

NIV: saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."

NASB: saying, 'INDEED I WILL GREATLY BLESS YOU AND I WILL GREATLY MULTIPLY YOU.'

CSB: I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.

NLT: 'I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.'

KJV: Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

NKJV: saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”

This specific guarantee from God is found in Genesis 22:17. The theme of this passage is confident reliance on the promises of God. Abraham serves as an example of this patient faith. God swore oaths to Abraham on His own name, since there is no one higher God could swear by. Using this human convention, Abraham was reassured that whatever God vowed to do, He really would do.

Abraham did not live to see all of those promises completely fulfilled. And yet, those who came after Abraham saw God's oaths to him come true. Those descendants ought to have even more confidence in God, since they have seen that much more proof of God's nature. In the same way, modern Christians have even more history to support the truth of God's Word than the early church did, and we ought to be comforted as a result.

In the context of this passage, confidence is crucial. Those stuck in spiritual immaturity are still wrestling with doubts and fears about fundamental Christian doctrines. In order to move beyond that shallow grasp of truth—and the danger it represents—it's absolutely necessary to have assurance, confidence, and trust in the promises of God. The writer seems concerned that whatever confidence his readers have, for now, might be wearing thin. For the Jewish Christians of the early church, there would have been no better example of that kind of faith than Abraham.

Hebrews 6:13–20 completes the transition from dire warning, to encouragement, back to the prior topic. Prior sections gave a strong warning against believers ''falling away'' due to a shallow, immature faith. The passage immediately prior encouraged the readers that their good works proved sincerity. Here, the writer outlines the assurance which allows Christians to grow in their faith despite persecution. With Abraham as a prime example, these verses explain that Christians have the ultimate source of confident hope: the perfect high priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 6 expands on the dangers of a shallow, immature faith. Rather than attempting to re-explain the basics, the author intends to press on. According to this passage, shallow faith opens up the risks of doubt, discouragement, and disobedience. These lead to a situation where one's only hope for restoration is through judgment, much as Israel experienced for forty years in the wilderness. Since our hope is anchored in the proven, unchanging, perfect, absolute nature of God, we should be confident and patient, rather than fearful.

Chapter 6 completes a warning begun in the last verses of chapter 5. The author has deep points to make, but doubts that the readers are ready for them. Yet the only course of action is to press on: there is no time to re-establish the ABCs of the faith. Spiritual immaturity prevents growth, leading to doubt, discouragement, and eventually to judgment. Those who only scratch the surface of Christianity, then fall into disobedience, can't be restored to good standing until they've experienced some level of judgment. Rather than make that mistake, we should trust in the absolute promises of God, and the work of Christ, as we patiently pursue godly wisdom. Chapter 7 will resume the extensive discussion of Melchizedek's priesthood.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.