Chapter 6: An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews

This whole Chapter is a continuation of the Digression which the Apostle had occasionally entered into, in the Eleventh Verse of the preceding Chapter. For upon the consideration of the Greatness of the Mystery, and difficulty of the doctrine which he designed to instruct these Hebrews in, and his fear of their disability or unpreparedness (at least of some) to receive it in a due manner to their edification, he engages into a new Discourse, filled up with reasons and arguments to excite them to a diligent attendance. And this he so does, as in the very last words of this Chapter, to return by an artificial connexion of his Discourse to what he had asserted in the Tenth Verse of that foregoing.

There are four general parts of this Chapter. (1) The proposition of what he intended to do, or discourse concerning; with an opposition thereunto of what was by him to be omitted: v. 1, 2, 3. (2) An excitation of the Hebrews to singular diligence in attending to the most perfect doctrines of Christianity, and making a progress in the knowledge of Christ. And this he does from the consideration of the greatness of the sin, and inevitableness of the destruction of apostates. For this sort of persons do commonly arise from among such, as having received the Truth, and made a profession thereof, do not diligently endeavour a progress towards perfection, according to their duty: v. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. (3) A lenifying of the severity of this commination in respect of its application to these Hebrews. For he expresses his hope that it did not so belong to them, or that the sin condemned should be found in them; or the punishment threatened fall on them. But the warning itself contained in the commination, was, as he shows, good, wholesome and seasonable. And of this his hope and judgment concerning the Hebrews, he expresses his grounds taken from the righteousness of God, their own faith and love, which he prays they may persevere in: v. 9, 10, 11, 12. (4) An encouragement to faith and perseverance, from the example of Abraham, who first received the Promises; from the nature of the Promises themselves; and their confirmation by the oath of God, with the assistance we may have by our hope in Christ thereby: v. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Which last Discourse he issues in the principal matter he intended to insist upon, whereunto he now returns again, having digressed necessarily into those exhortations and arguings from the first proposals of it in the Eleventh Verse of the foregoing Chapter.

In the first part of the Chapter comprised in the three first Verses, there are three things considerable. (1) A general proposition of the Apostle's resolution to proceed to the more perfect doctrines of the Gospel, as also of his passing over the first principles of Christianity: v. 1. (2) An amplification of this proposition, by an enumeration of those doctrines which he thought meet at present to pass by the handling of: v. 1, 2. (3) A renovation of his resolution to pursue his proposition, with a submission to the will and good pleasure of God, as to the execution of his purpose; the expression whereof, the present state of these Hebrews peculiarly called him to: v. 4.