Hebrews 6:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

NIV: where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

NASB: where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

CSB: Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

NLT: Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

KJV: Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

NKJV: where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The previous verses blended three distinct images into a single, powerful, encouraging point. Christ's work on our behalf combines the principles of a refuge, an anchor, and the Holiest of Holies of the Old Testament temple. Mixed together, the message is that Christ has gone ahead of us, as our example and our High Priest, and anchored our hope. That anchor is not affixed here, in our present circumstances, but in the ultimate source of truth and holiness. For this reason, we can be confident in the promises of God (Hebrews 6:18), and hold fast (Hebrews 3:6; 4:14), to a confident and growing spiritual maturity, in both truth and love.

This verse uses the Greek term prodromos, translated into English as "forerunner." This is similar to the reference in Hebrews 2:10, which used the word archēgon to call Jesus the "captain," or "author" or "founder," of our salvation. This helps to blend the reference to an anchor with Christ's entry into the inner sanctuary; sailors would often carry a ship's anchor to a more secure point in order to attach the anchor as solidly as possible.

The final statement of this verse ties together this gradual flow from warning (Hebrews 5:11—6:8), to praise (Hebrews 6:9–12), to encouragement (Hebrews 6:13–19), and finally back to the original topic: the priesthood of Melchizedek. Masterfully, the writer does this by referring to yet another promise of God, and one already used in this book: that of Psalm 110:4. This same promise was previously applied to the priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 5:6), just prior to the warnings of chapter 6, bringing the discussion full-circle.

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.