1 The Peril of Not Progressing Therefore, Heb. 5:12 leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from (Heb. 9:14) dead works and of faith toward God,
2 John 3:25; Acts 19:3–5 of the doctrine of baptisms, (Acts 8:17) of laying on of hands, Acts 17:31 of resurrection of the dead, Acts 24:25 and of eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do if God permits.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted (John 4:10); Eph. 2:8 the heavenly gift, and (Gal. 3:2, 5); Heb. 2:4 have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, Heb. 10:29 since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, Ps. 65:10 receives blessing from God;
8 Is. 5:6 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
9 A Better Estimate But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
10 For Rom. 3:4 God is not unjust to forget 1 Thess. 1:3 your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have Rom. 15:25; Heb. 10:32–34 ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence Col. 2:2 to the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience Heb. 10:36 inherit the promises.
13 God’s Infallible Purpose in Christ For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, Gen. 22:16, 17; Luke 1:73 He swore by Himself,
14 saying, Gen. 22:16, 17 “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the Gen. 12:4; 21:5 promise.
16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and Ex. 22:11 an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.
17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to Rom. 8:17; Heb. 11:9 the heirs of promise Rom. 11:29 the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,
18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to Num. 23:19;1 Sam. 15:29; Titus 1:2 lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope (Col. 1:5); Heb. 3:6; 7:19; 12:1 set before us.
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, Lev. 16:2, 15; Heb. 9:3, 7 and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
20 (John 14:2; Heb. 4:14) where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, Gen. 14:17–19; Ps. 110:4; Heb. 3:1; 5:10, 11 having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.