Hebrews 6:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,

NIV: Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.

NASB: In the same way God, desiring even more to demonstrate to the heirs of the promise the fact that His purpose is unchangeable, confirmed it with an oath,

CSB: Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath,

NLT: God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.

KJV: Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

NKJV: Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,

Oaths are what insecure, fallible human beings expect from sinful, fallible human beings in order to have confidence in a promise. There is a natural human tendency to be suspicious of another person's word. Oaths are meant to add an extra layer of reassurance that we're telling the truth. Of course, if a person is fundamentally honest, then there's no purpose to such a vow, other than to make the other person feel better.

This is exactly why God chooses, at times, to use the concept of an oath when dealing with humanity. As the prior verse indicated, human oath-makers have to swear on something greater than themselves. In God's case, there can be nothing higher to swear on, other than Himself. And, as the next verse will show, the facts of history and the nature of God provide two infallible proofs that His oaths are always reliable.

The context of this theme is confidence leading to obedience, maturity, and growth. When we're persecuted, we might doubt God, and lack the drive to grow in our faith. This, in turn, makes us all the more vulnerable to attacks, and more likely to "fall away." Instead, we should recognize the absolute reliability of God's promises, and seek to grow in both truth and love. The ultimate expression of this promise, and the best reason for our hopeful confidence, is the "anchor" of Jesus Christ.

According to the Bible, all believers are spiritual heirs of the promises made to Abraham (Galatians 3:29). While we are not all physical heirs, or part of the literal nation of Israel, we are part of the promises God made to that patriarch.

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.