Hebrews 6:16

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. FOR CONFIRMATION. Greek order, 'Of all contradiction (among) them an end unto (with a view to) confirmation (of one's solemn covenant: as God's) (is) the oath.' So [ antilogia (G485)], 'contradiction,' Hebrews 12:3; 'gainsaying,' Jude 1:11. This shows: (1) an oath is sanctioned even in the Christian dispensation; (2) the limits to its use are, that it only be employed where it can put an end to contradiction in disputes, and for confirmation of a solemn promise....

16._For men, etc. _It is an argument from the less to the greater; if credit is given to man, who is by nature false, when he swears, and for this reason, because he confirms what he says by God’s name, how much more credit is due to God, who is eternal truth, when he swears by himself? Now he mentions several things to commend this declaration; and first he says that men _swear by the greater; _by which he means that they who are wanting in due authority borrow it from another. He adds that there is so much reverence in an oath that it suffices for confirmation, and puts an end to all disputes where the testimonies of men and other proofs are wanting. Then is not he a sufficient witness for himself whom all appeal to as a witness? Is he not to obtain credit for what he says, who, by his authority, removes all doubts among others? If God’s name, pronounced by man’s tongue, possesses so m...

11-20 The hope here meant, is a sure looking for good things promised, through those promises, with love, desire, and valuing of them. Hope has its degrees, as faith also. The promise of blessedness God has made to believers, is from God's eternal purpose, settled between the eternal Father, Son, and Spirit. These promises of God may safely be depended upon; for here we have two things which cannot change, the counsel and the oath of God, in which it is not possible for God to lie; it would be contrary to his nature as well as to his will. And as He cannot lie; the destruction of the unbeliever, and the salvation of the believer, are alike certain. Here observe, those to whom God has given full security of happiness, have a title to the promises by inheritance. The consolations of God are strong enough to support his people under their heaviest trials. Here is a refuge for all sinners w...

Verse 16. _MEN VERILY SWEAR BY THE GREATER_] One who has greater authority; who can take cognizance of the obligation, and punish the breach of it. _AN OATH FOR CONFIRMATION_] "This observation teaches us," says Dr. Macknight, "that both promissory oaths concerning things lawful and in our power, and oaths for the confirmation of things doubtful, when required by proper authority, and taken religiously, are allowable under the Gospel....

FOR MEN VERILY SWEAR BY THE GREATER - That is, they appeal to God. They never swear by one who is inferior to themselves. The object of the apostle in this declaration is to show that as far as this could be done it had been by God. He could not indeed swear by one greater than himself, but he could make his promise as certain as an oath taken by people was when they solemnly appealed to him. He could appeal to his own existence and veracity, which was at any time the most solemn form of an oath, and thus put the mind to rest in regard to the hope of heaven. AND AN OATH FOR CONFIRMATION - An oath taken to confirm or establish anything. IS TO THEM AN END OF ALL STRIFE - That is, when two parties are at variance, or have a cause at issue, an oath binds them to adhere to the terms of agreement concluded on, or contracting parties bind themselves by a solemn oath

EXPOSITION HEBREWS 6:1, HEBREWS 6:2 WHEREFORE (since it is so incumbent on us to advance out of the state of milk-fed infants), LEAVING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, LET US PRESS ON UNTO PERFECTION (τελειότητα_, _continuing the image of maturity). The proper translation of τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον is doubtful, the question being whether τῆς αρχῆς_ _is to be connected with λόγον as an adjective genitive (so taken, as above, in the A.V; cf. Hebrews 5:12, στοιχεῖα τῆς ἀρχῆς)_, _or with τοῦ Χριστοῦ_, the word of the beginning of Christ, _meaning discourse concerning

FOR MEN VERILY SWEAR BY THE GREATER,.... These words contain a reason why God swore by himself, and why his promises, having an oath annexed to them, ought to be believed. Men when they swear, they swear by the greater; not by themselves, as God does, because there is one greater than they; not by any of the creatures on earth, nor by the angels in heaven, but by God; because he is the God of truth, the searcher of hearts, and who can take vengeance on perjurers: and an oath may lawfully be taken, when it is truth that is sworn to, and is just and good; and in cases of weight and moment; and in what is possible and right to perform; and when it is done with deliberation, in the fear of God, with a view to his glory, and the good of men: for an oath is of a moral nature, what God has commanded, and he himself has taken; it has been used by Christ, and by the saints of the Old and New Test...

In the previous chapter, Paul was writing to some who ought to have been teachers, but who needed still to be taught the first principles of the gospel; they were such babes in grace that they needed the milk of the Word, the very simplest elements of gospel truth, and not the strong meat of solid doctrine. The apostle, however, desires that the Hebrew believers should understand the sublimer doctrines of the gospel, and so be like men of full age who can eat strong meat. In this chapter he exhorts them to seek to attain to this standard. Hebrews 6:1. _Therefore leaving the principles_ The rudiments, the elementary truths, Hebrews 6:1. _Of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;_ Let us go from the school to the university, let us have done with

CHAPTER 6 _ 1. Return to Judaism the crucifixion of the Son of God afresh (Hebrews 6:1)_ 2. Persuaded of better things: Comfort and hope (Hebrews 6:9) Hebrews 6:1 A solemn warning follows, addressed to these Hebrews who were halting and in danger of turning back to Judaism, and doing so would crucify the Son of God afresh. “Therefore leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to full growth; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God, of a teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” It is of much importance to see that these things are not “the principles of the doctrine of Christ” (as the

The mention of God's promise suggests the thought that it is absolutely sure, so that we may hold to it without misgiving. When God made His promise to Abraham He sealed it by an oath. Just as in human affairs men are bound to a decision when they have passed their oath, and so called on some higher power to witness (Hebrews 6:16), so God swore by _Himself,_ since He was Himself the supreme power. His gracious will was thus confirmed by the twofold bond of His oath and His promise (Hebrews 6:17 f.). The hope He holds out to us is our only refuge, and it is a refuge which cannot possibly fail us. It is like an anchor to which the soul can trust itself without reserve amidst all perils and changes; for it is fastened to that which is within the veil_ i.e._ it connects our earthly life with the world of etern