Leaving the principles of the doctrines of Christ (ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον)

Lit. leaving the word of the beginning concerning Christ. Ἀφέντες leaving or dismissing does not imply ceasing to believe in elementary truths or to regard them as important, but leaving them "as a builder leaves his foundation in erecting his building" (Bruce). The word of the beginning of Christ is practically equals the rudiments of the beginning, Hebrews 5:12; that rudimentary view of Christ's person and office which unfolds into the doctrine of his priesthood. Up to this point the writer has shown only that the permanent elements of the old covenant remain and are exalted in Christ. The more difficult point, which it will require matured perception to grasp, is that Christ's priesthood involves the entire abolition of the old covenant.

Let us go on unto perfection (ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα)

Lit. let us be born on to completeness. The participial clause, leaving, etc., is related to the verbal clause as expressing a necessary accompaniment or consequence of the latter. Let us be born on to completeness, and, because of this, leave, etc. This sense is not given by the Rev. Τελειότης only here and Colossians 3:14. Rend. completeness. The completeness is viewed as pertaining to both the writer and the readers. He proposes to fully develop his theme: they are exhorted to strive for that full Christian manhood which will fit them to receive the fully-developed discussion.

Not laying again the foundation (μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι)

Not explanatory of leaving, etc. The following words, describing the elements of the foundation, - repentance, baptisms, etc., - simply illustrate in a general way the proposal to proceed to the exposition of the doctrine of Christ's priesthood. The illustrative proposition is that a building is not completed by lingering at the foundation; and so Christian maturity is not to be attained by going back to subjects which belong to the earliest stage of Christian instruction. He purposely selects for his illustration things which belong to the very initiation of Christian life.

Dead works (νεκρῶν ἔργων)

The phrase only in Hebrews. Comp. Hebrews 9:14. Not sinful works in the ordinary sense of the term, but works without the element of life which comes through faith in the living God. There is a sharp opposition, therefore, between dead works and faith. They are contraries. This truth must be one of the very first things expounded to a Jew embracing Christianity.

Hebrews 6:1 Parallel Commentaries

leaving. See on ch.

Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time you ought to be teachers...

principles of the doctrine. or, word of the beginning.

Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels...

let.

Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood...

Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.

Matthew 5:48 Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit...

Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Philippians 3:12-15 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after...

Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers...

James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect...

1 John 4:12 No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us.

laying.

Matthew 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell not: for it was founded on a rock.

Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and dig deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose...

1 Corinthians 3:10-12 According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon...

1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And...

repentance.

Isaiah 55:6,7 Seek you the LORD while he may be found, call you on him while he is near...

Ezekiel 18:30-32 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, said the Lord GOD. Repent...

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications...

Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 21:29,32 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went...

Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...

Acts 3:19 Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out...

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying...

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:20 But showed first to them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles...

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.

2 Timothy 2:25,26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth...

dead.

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God...

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness...

Ephesians 2:1,5 And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins...

faith.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is...

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life...

John 12:44 Jesus cried and said, He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.

1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1 John 5:10-13 He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar...