A Study Of The Apostle Paul’s Letter To The Hebrews

AAStudyStudyOf TheOf TheApostleApostle

Paul’s LetterPaul’s LetterTo The To The

HebrewsHebrews

Don’t Don’t drift drift away!away!

Don’t Don’t neglect neglect your your salvationsalvation!!

Don’t Don’t Depart!Depart!

Don’t Don’t fall fall awayaway!!

Don’t cast Don’t cast away your away your confidenceconfidence!!

Don’t Don’t hardeharden your n your heart!heart!

How can we neglect so How can we neglect so greatgreat

a salvation? ~ Hebrews a salvation? ~ Hebrews 2:3 2:3

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Person (1:1—4:13)Superior Person (1:1—4:13)

Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)

Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)

but…We’ll only study 5:11—6:3 today.Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—

7:10)7:10)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)

Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Results (10:1-18)Superior Results (10:1-18)

Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ (10:19—13:25)(10:19—13:25)

Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)

At this point, Paul, frustrated with At this point, Paul, frustrated with them,them, broke off from his discussion broke off from his discussion

concern-ing Jesus and His concern-ing Jesus and His Melchizedekian priesthood to warn Melchizedekian priesthood to warn them a fourth time. As mentioned them a fourth time. As mentioned before, there are seven warnings before, there are seven warnings in Hebrews: the first three were in Hebrews: the first three were about their lack of faith, and this about their lack of faith, and this

one was about their lack of one was about their lack of growth.growth.

At this point, Paul, frustrated with At this point, Paul, frustrated with them,them, broke off from his discussion broke off from his discussion

concern-ing Jesus and His concern-ing Jesus and His Melchizedekian priesthood to warn Melchizedekian priesthood to warn them a fourth time. As mentioned them a fourth time. As mentioned before, there are seven warnings before, there are seven warnings in Hebrews: the first three were in Hebrews: the first three were about their lack of faith, and this about their lack of faith, and this

one was about their lack of one was about their lack of growth.growth.

Of whom we Of whom we have much to have much to say and hard to say and hard to explain, since explain, since you have you have become dull of become dull of hearing.hearing.

HebrewHebrews s 5:11 5:11

Of Of whomwhom we we have much to have much to say and hard to say and hard to explain, since explain, since you have you have become dull of become dull of hearing.hearing.

Since the term for Since the term for whom can be can be mas-culine or mas-culine or neuter, it falls to neuter, it falls to the interpre-ter to the interpre-ter to translate it as translate it as either either whomwhom or or whichwhich; in this ; in this case the term case the term whichwhich is better, is better, because the because the subject isn’t Jesus subject isn’t Jesus or Melchizedek—or Melchizedek—it’s actually…it’s actually…

Since the term for Since the term for whom can be can be mas-culine or mas-culine or neuter, it falls to neuter, it falls to the interpre-ter to the interpre-ter to translate it as translate it as either either whomwhom or or whichwhich; in this ; in this case the term case the term whichwhich is better, is better, because the because the subject isn’t Jesus subject isn’t Jesus or Melchizedek—or Melchizedek—it’s actually…it’s actually…

……the the relation of relation of Je-susJe-sus to the to the priestly priestly order of order of Melchizedek.Melchizedek.

……the the relation of relation of Je-susJe-sus to the to the priestly priestly order of order of Melchizedek.Melchizedek.

This word could This word could re-fer to Paul and re-fer to Paul and his personal his personal scribe (scribe (cf. cf. Rom. 16:22, Gal. 6:11, et. , et. al.al.), or it could’ve ), or it could’ve simply been a simply been a tact-ful way oftact-ful way of

saying,saying, WeWe have have much to discussmuch to discuss..

This word could This word could re-fer to Paul and re-fer to Paul and his personal his personal scribe (scribe (cf. cf. Rom. 16:22, Gal. 6:11, et. , et. al.al.), or it could’ve ), or it could’ve simply been a simply been a tact-ful way oftact-ful way of

saying,saying, WeWe have have much to discussmuch to discuss..

Of whom Of whom wewe have much to have much to say and hard to say and hard to explain, since explain, since you have you have become dull of become dull of hearing.hearing.

Interestingly, this Interestingly, this phrase is from phrase is from one Greek term, one Greek term, the pre-fix of the pre-fix of which means which means difficultdifficult, while the , while the root means root means inter-inter-pretationpretation, , resulting in resulting in explanationexplanation. In . In fact, it’s from this fact, it’s from this term that we get term that we get our word our word hermeneu-ticshermeneu-tics ——thethe rules of in-rules of in-terpretationterpretation..

Interestingly, this Interestingly, this phrase is from phrase is from one Greek term, one Greek term, the pre-fix of the pre-fix of which means which means difficultdifficult, while the , while the root means root means inter-inter-pretationpretation, , resulting in resulting in explanationexplanation. In . In fact, it’s from this fact, it’s from this term that we get term that we get our word our word hermeneu-ticshermeneu-tics ——thethe rules of in-rules of in-terpretationterpretation..

Of whom we Of whom we have much to have much to say and say and hard to hard to explainexplain, since , since you have you have become dull of become dull of hearing.hearing.

Of whom we Of whom we have much to have much to say and hard to say and hard to explain, explain, sincesince youyou have have become dull of become dull of hearing.hearing.

By saying By saying since you, Paul was , Paul was blaming them for blaming them for this being a this being a difficult subject to difficult subject to explain; incident-explain; incident-ally, this helps us ally, this helps us to see that the to see that the audi-ence is what audi-ence is what deter-mines deter-mines which parts of which parts of God’s Word are God’s Word are milkmilk andand whichwhich

parts are meat.parts are meat.

By saying By saying since you, Paul was , Paul was blaming them for blaming them for this being a this being a difficult subject to difficult subject to explain; incident-explain; incident-ally, this helps us ally, this helps us to see that the to see that the audi-ence is what audi-ence is what deter-mines deter-mines which parts of which parts of God’s Word are God’s Word are milkmilk andand whichwhich

parts are meat.parts are meat.

Of whom we Of whom we have much to have much to say and hard to say and hard to explain, since explain, since you you havehave becomebecome dull of dull of hearing.hearing.

This phrase tells This phrase tells us thatus that atat oneone

timetime they weren’tthey weren’t likelike this,this, but but because they because they were pulling away were pulling away from the truths from the truths they had oncethey had once

confessed,confessed, they they had becomehad become ((not not were becomingwere becoming)) dull dull of hearing. of hearing. (Cf. (Cf. notes on notes on 2:1-3 & & 4:14.).)

This phrase tells This phrase tells us thatus that atat oneone

timetime they weren’tthey weren’t likelike this,this, but but because they because they were pulling away were pulling away from the truths from the truths they had oncethey had once

confessed,confessed, they they had becomehad become ((not not were becomingwere becoming)) dull dull of hearing. of hearing. (Cf. (Cf. notes on notes on 2:1-3 & & 4:14.).)

Of whom we Of whom we have much to have much to say and hard to say and hard to explain, since explain, since you have you have become become dulldull of of hearing.hearing.

The term for The term for dull means means slowslow and is and is onlyonly foundfound oneone

other time in the other time in the NT (NT (6:12) where) where it’sit’s translated translated sluggish..

The term for The term for dull means means slowslow and is and is onlyonly foundfound oneone

other time in the other time in the NT (NT (6:12) where) where it’sit’s translated translated sluggish..

Of whom we Of whom we have much to have much to say and hard to say and hard to explain, since explain, since you have you have become dull of become dull of hearinghearing..

TheThe termterm forfor hearing means means understand-ingunderstand-ing;;

i.e.i.e.,, theythey hadhad be-be-come slow in come slow in learn-ing and learn-ing and therefore in therefore in growing.growing.

TheThe termterm forfor hearing means means understand-ingunderstand-ing;;

i.e.i.e.,, theythey hadhad be-be-come slow in come slow in learn-ing and learn-ing and therefore in therefore in growing.growing.

They were drifting backward They were drifting backward insteadinstead

of pushing forward (of pushing forward (5:12b & & 6:1a); so due to their apparent ); so due to their apparent

desire to go backward into desire to go backward into Judaism instead of forward into Judaism instead of forward into

Christianity, Paul had a hardChristianity, Paul had a hard

timetime figuringfiguring outout howhow toto getget thisthis

important subject across to important subject across to them.them.

Notice Their Journey to Immaturity:Notice Their Journey to Immaturity:

1. They They DDrifted from the Word (rifted from the Word (2:1-4).). Then…Then…

2. They They DDoubted the Word (oubted the Word (3:7—4:13). ). And now…And now…

3. They Were They Were DDull in Hearing the ull in Hearing the Word.Word.

So something we can learn from So something we can learn from this is that a symptom of spiritual this is that a symptom of spiritual problems is problems is the attitude which says the attitude which says that Bible study,that Bible study, worship, and worship, and preaching are preaching are dull..

For though by For though by this time you this time you ought to be ought to be teachers, you teachers, you need someone need someone to teach you to teach you again the first again the first principles of the principles of the oracles of God; oracles of God; and you have and you have come to need come to need milk and not milk and not solid food.solid food.


For though For though by by this time you this time you ought to be ought to be teachersteachers, you , you need someone need someone to teach you to teach you again the first again the first principles of the principles of the oracles of God; oracles of God; and you have and you have come to need come to need milk and not milk and not solid food.solid food.

If this letter was If this letter was written to Jewish written to Jewish Christians in Christians in Jerusa-lem,Jerusa-lem, as as surely seems to surely seems to be the case, then be the case, then that makes this that makes this first clause very first clause very strong. strong. Why? Why? Because…Because…

If this letter was If this letter was written to Jewish written to Jewish Christians in Christians in Jerusa-lem,Jerusa-lem, as as surely seems to surely seems to be the case, then be the case, then that makes this that makes this first clause very first clause very strong. strong. Why? Why? Because…Because…

For though For though by by this time you this time you ought to be ought to be teachersteachers, you , you need someone need someone to teach you to teach you again the first again the first principles of the principles of the oracles of God; oracles of God; and you have and you have come to need come to need milk and not milk and not solid food.solid food.

In saying In saying by this time you ought to be teachers, Paul , Paul was referring to was referring to the idea that the the idea that the church had been church had been established there established there for more than 30 for more than 30 years!years!

In saying In saying by this time you ought to be teachers, Paul , Paul was referring to was referring to the idea that the the idea that the church had been church had been established there established there for more than 30 for more than 30 years!years!

For though by For though by this time you this time you ought to be ought to be teachers, you teachers, you need someone need someone to teach you to teach you again again the first the first principlesprinciples of the of the oracles of Godoracles of God; ; and you have and you have come to need come to need milk and not milk and not solid food.solid food.

Since the Since the first prin-ciples here here are are of the oracles of God, let’s, let’s talktalk

aboutabout those first: those first:

Since the Since the first prin-ciples here here are are of the oracles of God, let’s, let’s talktalk

aboutabout those first: those first:

For though by For though by this time you this time you ought to be ought to be teachers, you teachers, you need someone need someone to teach you to teach you again the first again the first principles ofprinciples of the the oracles of Godoracles of God; ; and you have and you have come to need come to need milk and not milk and not solid food.solid food.

The word for The word for oracles ( (lŏgiōnlŏgiōn) is ) is related to related to lŏgiaslŏgias

translated translated collection ( (1 Cor. 16: 1-2), but it’s ), but it’s derivedderived fromfrom thethe very fami-liarvery fami-liar

lŏgŏslŏgŏs which is which is variously variously translated as translated as sayings, , words, , and even and even teachings. . But… But…

The word for The word for oracles ( (lŏgiōnlŏgiōn) is ) is related to related to lŏgiaslŏgias

translated translated collection ( (1 Cor. 16: 1-2), but it’s ), but it’s derivedderived fromfrom thethe very fami-liarvery fami-liar

lŏgŏslŏgŏs which is which is variously variously translated as translated as sayings, , words, , and even and even teachings. . But… But…


While While lŏgŏslŏgŏs could could be used for be used for something something anyoneanyone thoughtthought oror saidsaid,, lŏgiōnlŏgiōn

was only was only associated with associated with divinedivine thoughtsthoughts & & teachingsteachings. So, . So, put- ting this put- ting this together, we together, we discover that…discover that…

While While lŏgŏslŏgŏs could could be used for be used for something something anyoneanyone thoughtthought oror saidsaid,, lŏgiōnlŏgiōn

was only was only associated with associated with divinedivine thoughtsthoughts & & teachingsteachings. So, . So, put- ting this put- ting this together, we together, we discover that…discover that…


The oracles of The oracles of God refer to God refer to a a collection of collection of sayings or teach-sayings or teach-ings of Godings of God. So . So what was the what was the collection of collection of God’s sayings God’s sayings they had at that they had at that time? time? The Old The Old TestamentTestament ..

The oracles of The oracles of God refer to God refer to a a collection of collection of sayings or teach-sayings or teach-ings of Godings of God. So . So what was the what was the collection of collection of God’s sayings God’s sayings they had at that they had at that time? time? The Old The Old TestamentTestament ..


What else would What else would people like Paul people like Paul use to convince use to convince Jews that Jesus Jews that Jesus was the promised was the promised Messiah?Messiah?

By the way… By the way…

What else would What else would people like Paul people like Paul use to convince use to convince Jews that Jesus Jews that Jesus was the promised was the promised Messiah?Messiah?

By the way… By the way…


The term The term lŏgiōnlŏgiōn

was used of the was used of the Law of Moses by Law of Moses by Stephen (Stephen (Acts 7:38) & by Paul ) & by Paul ((Rom. 3:2). And… ). And…

The term The term lŏgiōnlŏgiōn

was used of the was used of the Law of Moses by Law of Moses by Stephen (Stephen (Acts 7:38) & by Paul ) & by Paul ((Rom. 3:2). And… ). And…


Since Hebrews Since Hebrews deals so much deals so much with priest-hood, with priest-hood, it’s also inter-it’s also inter-esting to note esting to note that divine that divine oracles were oracles were engraved on the engraved on the high priest’s high priest’s breast-plate; in breast-plate; in fact, the Greek OT fact, the Greek OT employs the termemploys the term

lŏgiōnlŏgiōn to describe to describe

thatthat breast-plate breast-plate in in Exo. 28:15. . Now… Now…

Since Hebrews Since Hebrews deals so much deals so much with priest-hood, with priest-hood, it’s also inter-it’s also inter-esting to note esting to note that divine that divine oracles were oracles were engraved on the engraved on the high priest’s high priest’s breast-plate; in breast-plate; in fact, the Greek OT fact, the Greek OT employs the termemploys the term

lŏgiōnlŏgiōn to describe to describe

thatthat breast-plate breast-plate in in Exo. 28:15. . Now… Now…

For though by For though by this time you this time you ought to be ought to be teachers, you teachers, you need someone need someone to teach you to teach you again theagain the first first principlesprinciples of the of the oracles of God; oracles of God; and you have and you have come to need come to need milk and not milk and not solid food.solid food.

Let’s briefly Let’s briefly define thedefine the first principles. Some . Some synonyms for synonyms for principlesprinciples areare

truthstruths, , thoughtsthoughts, , ingredi-entsingredi-ents, and , and elementselements. . Applying it to this Applying it to this context… context…

Let’s briefly Let’s briefly define thedefine the first principles. Some . Some synonyms for synonyms for principlesprinciples areare

truthstruths, , thoughtsthoughts, , ingredi-entsingredi-ents, and , and elementselements. . Applying it to this Applying it to this context… context…


This phrase This phrase simply refers to simply refers to the first truths or the first truths or elements elements ——aboutabout

ChristChrist ((6:1) —) —found in the Old found in the Old TestamentTestament ( (cf.cf. John 5:39).).

This phrase This phrase simply refers to simply refers to the first truths or the first truths or elements elements ——aboutabout

ChristChrist ((6:1) —) —found in the Old found in the Old TestamentTestament ( (cf.cf. John 5:39).).


SpeakingSpeaking moremore

aboutabout the term for the term for princi-ples here,here,

everyevery time Paul time Paul used this term he used this term he used it in refer-used it in refer-ence to the OT: in ence to the OT: in Col. 2:8 & & 20 and and in in Gal. 4:3 & & 9 ((where it’s where it’s translated as translated as ele-ments) it’s the ) it’s the idea of idea of that which that which is ele-mentary or is ele-mentary or found-ationalfound-ational, , that which the OT that which the OT is.is.

SpeakingSpeaking moremore

aboutabout the term for the term for princi-ples here,here,

everyevery time Paul time Paul used this term he used this term he used it in refer-used it in refer-ence to the OT: in ence to the OT: in Col. 2:8 & & 20 and and in in Gal. 4:3 & & 9 ((where it’s where it’s translated as translated as ele-ments) it’s the ) it’s the idea of idea of that which that which is ele-mentary or is ele-mentary or found-ationalfound-ational, , that which the OT that which the OT is.is.

Notice first Notice first Gal. 3:24-25: : The law was our tutor to bring us to

Christ…. [Now] we are no longer under a tutor. Then notice Then notice 4:1-3 & & 9: : A child … is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bond-age under the elementselements of the

world [the Jewish system][the Jewish system]…. But now … how is it that you turn again to

the weak and beggarly elementselements of the world [the Jew-ish[the Jew-ish system,system, thethe lawlaw ofof

sin/death]sin/death] to which you desire again to be in bondage? So… So…

If the oracles of God here are a If the oracles of God here are a reference to the Law of Moses, then reference to the Law of Moses, then what was Paul saying? If the OT what was Paul saying? If the OT prophesied of Jesus of Nazareth, and prophesied of Jesus of Nazareth, and if they were headed back to that if they were headed back to that world (world (remember, this was before it was remember, this was before it was destroyeddestroyed), then they obviously need-), then they obviously need-eded toto bebe taught againtaught again concerningconcerning the the very fundamentals of the OT. So…very fundamentals of the OT. So…

For them to head back to the world For them to head back to the world that foreshadowed Christ would have that foreshadowed Christ would have been to totally miss the very basics been to totally miss the very basics of the OT (of the OT (cf. cf. Col. 2:16-17 & & Heb. 10:1); ); Jesus being their High Priest was Jesus being their High Priest was something that should have been something that should have been fundamental to Jews who had fundamental to Jews who had become Christians!become Christians!

For though by For though by this time you this time you ought to be ought to be teachers, you teachers, you need someone need someone to teach you to teach you again the first again the first principles of the principles of the oracles of God; oracles of God; and you have and you have come to need come to need milkmilk and not and not solid food.solid food.

The The milk of God’s of God’s Word is obviously Word is obviously equal to equal to the first principles of the oracles of God ( (or or the elementary prin-ciples of Christ, , 6:1), ), including that including that which he had which he had already dis-already dis-cussed—Jesus’ cussed—Jesus’ ful-fillment of the ful-fillment of the type and shadow type and shadow of the Aaronic of the Aaronic priesthood. priesthood. So… So…

The The milk of God’s of God’s Word is obviously Word is obviously equal to equal to the first principles of the oracles of God ( (or or the elementary prin-ciples of Christ, , 6:1), ), including that including that which he had which he had already dis-already dis-cussed—Jesus’ cussed—Jesus’ ful-fillment of the ful-fillment of the type and shadow type and shadow of the Aaronic of the Aaronic priesthood. priesthood. So… So…

For though by For though by this time you this time you ought to be ought to be teachers, you teachers, you need someone need someone to teach you to teach you again the first again the first principles of the principles of the oracles of God; oracles of God; and you have and you have come to need come to need milk and not milk and not solid foodsolid food..

Meat or Meat or solid food likely refers to likely refers to the next step in the next step in the dis-cussion of the dis-cussion of Jesus’ priesthood Jesus’ priesthood that Paul was that Paul was trying to take. trying to take. Why? Because… Why? Because…

Meat or Meat or solid food likely refers to likely refers to the next step in the next step in the dis-cussion of the dis-cussion of Jesus’ priesthood Jesus’ priesthood that Paul was that Paul was trying to take. trying to take. Why? Because… Why? Because…

For though by For though by this time you this time you ought to be ought to be teachers, you teachers, you need someone need someone to teach you to teach you again the first again the first principles of the principles of the oracles of God; oracles of God; and you have and you have come to need come to need milk and not milk and not solid foodsolid food..

It was at the point It was at the point of bringing up the of bringing up the priesthood of priesthood of Jesus in the order Jesus in the order of Mel-chizedek of Mel-chizedek that he that he pausedpaused toto scoldscold themthem for for making this moremaking this more difficult on him difficult on him than it should’ve than it should’ve been.been.

It was at the point It was at the point of bringing up the of bringing up the priesthood of priesthood of Jesus in the order Jesus in the order of Mel-chizedek of Mel-chizedek that he that he pausedpaused toto scoldscold themthem for for making this moremaking this more difficult on him difficult on him than it should’ve than it should’ve been.been.

Notice these three points:Notice these three points:1. This verse implies that it isn’t This verse implies that it isn’t neces-neces- sary to know everything sary to know everything (or even (or even a a great deal)great deal) about the Bible to be about the Bible to be saved.saved.2. This verse implies that every This verse implies that every Christi-Christi- anan isis expected to beexpected to be aa teacher of teacher of God’sGod’s Word in one form or another. Word in one form or another. And…And…3. Isn’t it sad that many of those Isn’t it sad that many of those who who complain about hearing the complain about hearing the basics basics too often from the pulpit don’t too often from the pulpit don’t even even know where to go in the Bible to know where to go in the Bible to

share the Gospel plan of share the Gospel plan of salvation salvation with others? with others?

Because Because everyone who everyone who partakes only ofpartakes only of milkmilk isis unskilled unskilled in the Word of in the Word of righteousness,righteousness,for he is a babe.for he is a babe.

Why did Paul Why did Paul think they think they needed to be needed to be taught the first taught the first principles again?principles again?

Why did Paul Why did Paul think they think they needed to be needed to be taught the first taught the first principles again?principles again?


The term for The term for unskill-ed means means inexperi-encedinexperi-enced; ; i.e.,i.e., they needed they needed to be taught so to be taught so they could teachthey could teach. . And what were And what were they expected to they expected to share with the share with the world? world?

The term for The term for unskill-ed means means inexperi-encedinexperi-enced; ; i.e.,i.e., they needed they needed to be taught so to be taught so they could teachthey could teach. . And what were And what were they expected to they expected to share with the share with the world? world?

Because Because everyone who everyone who partakes only ofpartakes only of milkmilk isis unskilledunskilled in the Word of in the Word of righteousness,righteousness,for he is a babe.for he is a babe.

This phrase This phrase brings brings Romans 1:17 to mind to mind where Paul where Paul taught that taught that through through thethe

GospelGospel——thethe New New TestamentTestament —— we we learn how to gain learn how to gain God’sGod’s righteousnessrighteousness by by faith. I.e.… faith. I.e.…

This phrase This phrase brings brings Romans 1:17 to mind to mind where Paul where Paul taught that taught that through through thethe

GospelGospel——thethe New New TestamentTestament —— we we learn how to gain learn how to gain God’sGod’s righteousnessrighteousness by by faith. I.e.… faith. I.e.…

Because Because everyone who everyone who partakes only ofpartakes only of milkmilk isis unskilled unskilled in in the Word of the Word of righteousnessrighteousness,,for he is a babe.for he is a babe.

Since they were Since they were so caught up in so caught up in and headed back and headed back toto the Oldthe Old

CovenantCovenant ,, they they were were unskilled or or inexperiencedinexperienced in in teaching peopleteaching people

the New the New CovenantCovenant..

Since they were Since they were so caught up in so caught up in and headed back and headed back toto the Oldthe Old

CovenantCovenant ,, they they were were unskilled or or inexperiencedinexperienced in in teaching peopleteaching people

the New the New CovenantCovenant..

Because Because everyone who everyone who partakes only ofpartakes only of milkmilk isis unskilled unskilled in the Word of in the Word of righteousnessrighteousness,,for he is a babe.for he is a babe.

Being called Being called a babe in Paul’s day in Paul’s day wasn’t a good wasn’t a good thing; this term thing; this term referred to referred to someone who was someone who was ignorantignorant, either , either due to a lack of due to a lack of being taught or to being taught or to a lack of personal a lack of personal study and study and experience in experience in teaching others.teaching others.

Being called Being called a babe in Paul’s day in Paul’s day wasn’t a good wasn’t a good thing; this term thing; this term referred to referred to someone who was someone who was ignorantignorant, either , either due to a lack of due to a lack of being taught or to being taught or to a lack of personal a lack of personal study and study and experience in experience in teaching others.teaching others.

Because Because everyone who everyone who partakes only ofpartakes only of milkmilk isis unskilled unskilled in the Word of in the Word of righteousness,righteousness,for he is for he is a babea babe..

Notice an implied irony here: Notice an implied irony here: these brethren weren’t these brethren weren’t

inexperienced be-cause they were inexperienced be-cause they were babes (babes (which would be normalwhich would be normal); they ); they

were babes because they were were babes because they were inexperienced, and that by their inexperienced, and that by their own choice. See, unlike normal own choice. See, unlike normal child-ren, they weren’t trying to child-ren, they weren’t trying to

learn and grow, so they were learn and grow, so they were actually regressing instead of actually regressing instead of

progressing.progressing.

But solid food But solid food belongs to belongs to those who are those who are of full age, that of full age, that is, those who by is, those who by reason of use reason of use have their have their senses senses exercised to exercised to discern both discern both good and evil.good and evil.


But solid food But solid food belongs to belongs to those who are those who are of full age, that of full age, that is, those who by is, those who by reason of reason of useuse have their have their senses senses exercised to exercised to discern both discern both good and evil.good and evil.

The term for The term for use re-fers to that re-fers to that which has become which has become second naturesecond nature. . The old say-ing The old say-ing that that if you don’t if you don’t use ituse it ,, youyou loselose itit impliesimplies thatthat youyou

can-not lose what can-not lose what you don’t haveyou don’t have, , yet Paul was yet Paul was telling them thattelling them that

theythey didn’tdidn’t even even have it because have it because they didn’t use it. they didn’t use it. (Paul must’ve really (Paul must’ve really enjoyed ironies!)enjoyed ironies!)

The term for The term for use re-fers to that re-fers to that which has become which has become second naturesecond nature. . The old say-ing The old say-ing that that if you don’t if you don’t use ituse it ,, youyou loselose itit impliesimplies thatthat youyou

can-not lose what can-not lose what you don’t haveyou don’t have, , yet Paul was yet Paul was telling them thattelling them that

theythey didn’tdidn’t even even have it because have it because they didn’t use it. they didn’t use it. (Paul must’ve really (Paul must’ve really enjoyed ironies!)enjoyed ironies!)

But solid food But solid food belongs to belongs to those who are those who are of of full agefull age, that , that is, those who by is, those who by reason of use reason of use have their have their senses senses exercised to exercised to discern both discern both good and evil.good and evil.

The phrase The phrase full age refers to refers to adultsadults, of course; , of course; and, unlike and, unlike infants who’ll infants who’ll swal-low swal-low anything, adults anything, adults are much more are much more cau-tious about cau-tious about what they what they swallow, liter-ally swallow, liter-ally and figuratively.and figuratively.

The phrase The phrase full age refers to refers to adultsadults, of course; , of course; and, unlike and, unlike infants who’ll infants who’ll swal-low swal-low anything, adults anything, adults are much more are much more cau-tious about cau-tious about what they what they swallow, liter-ally swallow, liter-ally and figuratively.and figuratively.

But solid food But solid food belongs to belongs to those who are those who are of full age, that of full age, that is, those who by is, those who by reason of use reason of use have their have their sensessenses exercised to exercised to discern both discern both good and evil.good and evil.

The word The word senses here refers to here refers to men-tal abilitiesmen-tal abilities, , not to the five not to the five senses we senses we normally think of; normally think of; and these and these exercised senses exercised senses result in the result in the ability to ability to determine what’s determine what’s good and what’s good and what’s bad … to swallow.bad … to swallow.

The word The word senses here refers to here refers to men-tal abilitiesmen-tal abilities, , not to the five not to the five senses we senses we normally think of; normally think of; and these and these exercised senses exercised senses result in the result in the ability to ability to determine what’s determine what’s good and what’s good and what’s bad … to swallow.bad … to swallow.

But solid food But solid food belongs to belongs to those who are those who are of full age, that of full age, that is, those who by is, those who by reason of use reason of use have their sense have their sense exercised to exercised to discern both discern both good and evilgood and evil..

This phrase This phrase doesn’t refer to doesn’t refer to good & bad good & bad morals, but to morals, but to right & wrong right & wrong doctrinesdoctrines, for , for that’s what cor-that’s what cor-respondsresponds to this to this text concerning text concerning what makes us what makes us righteous. righteous. Remember… Remember…

This phrase This phrase doesn’t refer to doesn’t refer to good & bad good & bad morals, but to morals, but to right & wrong right & wrong doctrinesdoctrines, for , for that’s what cor-that’s what cor-respondsresponds to this to this text concerning text concerning what makes us what makes us righteous. righteous. Remember… Remember…

These brethren were being These brethren were being severely pressured to return to severely pressured to return to Judaism, and this pressure (Judaism, and this pressure (false false teaching as well as persecution from teaching as well as persecution from

JudaizersJudaizers) was causing them to ) was causing them to neglect, even renounce, what they neglect, even renounce, what they

had been taught and what they had been taught and what they had previously accepted as true. had previously accepted as true. This is why Paul indicated that This is why Paul indicated that

such negli-gence leads to such negli-gence leads to apostasy (apostasy (6:4-9).).

There’s something comforting in There’s something comforting in this verse that we should take to this verse that we should take to heart: the implied lesson here is heart: the implied lesson here is

that, gener-ally speaking, the that, gener-ally speaking, the more one exercises himself in more one exercises himself in reading, studying, meditat-ing reading, studying, meditat-ing

upon, and teaching God’s Word, upon, and teaching God’s Word, the more chance there is that he’s the more chance there is that he’s cor-rect in his interpretation; this cor-rect in his interpretation; this

is obvi-ously why God expects is obvi-ously why God expects respect in har-mony with one’s respect in har-mony with one’s

amount of spiritual exercise (amount of spiritual exercise (cf. cf. 1 The. 5:12-13).).

Therefore, Therefore, leaving the leaving the discussion of discussion of the elementary the elementary principlesprinciples ofof

Christ,Christ, let let usus gogo

onon toto per-per-fection, not fection, not laying again the laying again the founda-tion of…founda-tion of…

HebrewHebrews s 6:1a 6:1a

At this verse Paul At this verse Paul began to ease began to ease back into the back into the subject of Jesus subject of Jesus being of the being of the priesthood order priesthood order of Melchizedek; of Melchizedek; this “easing” this “easing” actually took him actually took him the rest of the rest of chapter 6. . Firstly…Firstly…

At this verse Paul At this verse Paul began to ease began to ease back into the back into the subject of Jesus subject of Jesus being of the being of the priesthood order priesthood order of Melchizedek; of Melchizedek; this “easing” this “easing” actually took him actually took him the rest of the rest of chapter 6. . Firstly…Firstly…




II thinkthink it’sit’s

important to important to point out here point out here that when Paul that when Paul used the phrase used the phrase let us, he didn’t , he didn’t usually mean to usually mean to include himself—include himself—itit waswas ((andand isis))

merely a tactful merely a tactful way to mo-tivateway to mo-tivate

people.people. II menmen--tion tion this here be-this here be-cause this phrase cause this phrase applies to both applies to both the the leavingleaving & the & the going ongoing on clauses. clauses. So…So…

II thinkthink it’sit’s

important to important to point out here point out here that when Paul that when Paul used the phrase used the phrase let us, he didn’t , he didn’t usually mean to usually mean to include himself—include himself—itit waswas ((andand isis))

merely a tactful merely a tactful way to mo-tivateway to mo-tivate

people.people. II menmen--tion tion this here be-this here be-cause this phrase cause this phrase applies to both applies to both the the leavingleaving & the & the going ongoing on clauses. clauses. So…So…


Christ,Christ, letlet usus gogo


Paul was saying, Paul was saying, Let us be leaving Let us be leaving the first principles the first principles of Christof Christ, or more , or more liter-ally,liter-ally, Let us Let us be leav-ing the be leav-ing the beginning words beginning words ((logonlogon)) about the about the MessiahMessiah. . And… And…

Paul was saying, Paul was saying, Let us be leaving Let us be leaving the first principles the first principles of Christof Christ, or more , or more liter-ally,liter-ally, Let us Let us be leav-ing the be leav-ing the beginning words beginning words ((logonlogon)) about the about the MessiahMessiah. . And… And…




Where were (Where were (and areand are) these ) these teachings found again? Right—in teachings found again? Right—in the Old Testa-ment, beginning as the Old Testa-ment, beginning as far back as far back as Genesis 3:15, in fact. , in fact.

However, in this context Paul may However, in this context Paul may have been more specifically have been more specifically

referring to the very things he had referring to the very things he had been talking about up to this pointbeen talking about up to this point

—the Old Testament types and —the Old Testament types and shadows found in the Aaronic shadows found in the Aaronic

priesthood with its sacrifices and priesthood with its sacrifices and offerings. Anyway… offerings. Anyway…

Then he went on to say… Then he went on to say…

The word The word perfection here here comes from a comes from a term referring to term referring to an an endend, thus , thus pointing to thepointing to the endend , the , the pur-pur-posepose, the, the consum-consum-mationmation, or the , or the ful-ful-fillment fillment of the OT of the OT types, shadows, types, shadows, and prophecies.and prophecies.

The word The word perfection here here comes from a comes from a term referring to term referring to an an endend, thus , thus pointing to thepointing to the endend , the , the pur-pur-posepose, the, the consum-consum-mationmation, or the , or the ful-ful-fillment fillment of the OT of the OT types, shadows, types, shadows, and prophecies.and prophecies.



onon toto per-per-fectionfection, not , not laying again the laying again the founda-tion of…founda-tion of…

Going Going on to perfection meant meant leaving the Aaronic priesthood leaving the Aaronic priesthood

behind (behind (not just in conversation here, not just in conversation here, but totallybut totally) and ac-cepting the ) and ac-cepting the

Melchizedekian (Melchizedekian (eternaleternal) ) priesthood of Jesus which required priesthood of Jesus which required

the absolution of the old law (the absolution of the old law (cf. cf. 7:12). See, since Melchizedek lived ). See, since Melchizedek lived before Moses, Christ’s priesthood before Moses, Christ’s priesthood wasn’t meant to carry on the old wasn’t meant to carry on the old

law, but to supersede it.law, but to supersede it.

This clause is This clause is pas-pas-sivesive, meaning , meaning let let us be carried on us be carried on to this perfectionto this perfection——this endthis end; i.e., it ; i.e., it was coming was coming whether they whether they were ready or were ready or not.not.

This clause is This clause is pas-pas-sivesive, meaning , meaning let let us be carried on us be carried on to this perfectionto this perfection——this endthis end; i.e., it ; i.e., it was coming was coming whether they whether they were ready or were ready or not.not.




TheirTheir wildernesswilderness wandering,wandering, theirtheir

tran-sition phase, their forty-year tran-sition phase, their forty-year grace period was very near its grace period was very near its

end! When speaking of end! When speaking of Jerusalem’s destruction in AD 70, Jerusalem’s destruction in AD 70, Jesus said, Jesus said, These are the days of vengeance that all things which are written may be fulfilled ( (Luke

21:22). The thing is, these ). The thing is, these brethren, instead of going brethren, instead of going

backwards, needed all-the-more backwards, needed all-the-more to start seriously pressing toward to start seriously pressing toward and thinking about their future in and thinking about their future in

relation to their present state. relation to their present state. Now… Now…

Let’s briefly consider the six Let’s briefly consider the six subjects Paul listed insubjects Paul listed in verses 1b-2, , keeping two things in mind:keeping two things in mind:

1. They They werewere beingbeing pressuredpressured toto

return return to Judaism (the Scriptures of to Judaism (the Scriptures of which which they had) they had). And…And…

2. They didn’t have much of the They didn’t have much of the New New Testament for their Christianity Testament for their Christianity.

The result was that…The result was that…

They were dwelling on what little They were dwelling on what little they knew, apparently not they knew, apparently not growing by means of the growing by means of the

resources at their dis-posal … resources at their dis-posal … even after 30 years! They seemed even after 30 years! They seemed to be content in drinking the milk to be content in drinking the milk

of The Law (of The Law (perhaps as a way to perhaps as a way to compromise with their persecutorscompromise with their persecutors). ). They just didn’t seem to realize They just didn’t seem to realize that they, that they, especially especially in the 60s, in the 60s,

didn’t have the time to get stuck didn’t have the time to get stuck dabblin’ in the mere shadows of dabblin’ in the mere shadows of

the substance which was the substance which was unfolding right before their eyes!unfolding right before their eyes!

……repentance repentance from dead from dead works and faith works and faith toward God, of toward God, of the doctrine of the doctrine of baptisms [and] baptisms [and] of layingof laying onon ofof

hands, [and] of hands, [and] of resurrec-tion resurrec-tion from the dead from the dead and of eternal and of eternal judgment.judgment.

HebrewHebrews s 6:1b-2 6:1b-2

Firstly it’s Firstly it’s probably worth probably worth mentioningmentioning thatthat PaulPaul wrote these wrote these 66 topics in topics in 33 sets sets of of 22 as can be as can be seen in his use of seen in his use of the coordinating the coordinating conjunction conjunction and..

Firstly it’s Firstly it’s probably worth probably worth mentioningmentioning thatthat PaulPaul wrote these wrote these 66 topics in topics in 33 sets sets of of 22 as can be as can be seen in his use of seen in his use of the coordinating the coordinating conjunction conjunction and..

……repentance repentance from dead from dead works works andand faith faith toward God, of toward God, of the doctrine of the doctrine of baptisms [baptisms [andand] ] of layingof laying onon ofof

hands, [hands, [andand] of ] of resurrec-tion resurrec-tion from the dead from the dead and of eternal and of eternal judgment.judgment.

SoSo forfor brevity’sbrevity’s sake, sake, I’mI’m goinggoing toto

justjust con-con- cisely cisely

paraphrase what I paraphrase what I believe Paul was believe Paul was saying here: saying here:

SoSo forfor brevity’sbrevity’s sake, sake, I’mI’m goinggoing toto

justjust con-con- cisely cisely

paraphrase what I paraphrase what I believe Paul was believe Paul was saying here: saying here:

……repentance repentance from dead from dead works and faith works and faith toward God, of toward God, of the doctrine of the doctrine of baptisms [and] baptisms [and] of layingof laying onon ofof

hands, [and] of hands, [and] of resurrec-tion resurrec-tion from the dead from the dead and of eternal and of eternal judgment.judgment.

Yes, studying, believing, and Yes, studying, believing, and discuss-ing the fact that men must discuss-ing the fact that men must turn from evil deeds that lead to turn from evil deeds that lead to death toward faith in God that death toward faith in God that leads to life is indeed leads to life is indeed good old good old first testament teaching that'sfirst testament teaching that's brought to its fullness in the brought to its fullness in the

second testament, but let's move second testament, but let's move on. (on. (Notice that it’s faith toward God Notice that it’s faith toward God

instead of Jesus,instead of Jesus,

indicating an OT concept.indicating an OT concept.) And… ) And…

Yes, studying, believing, and Yes, studying, believing, and discuss- discuss- ing how the various ing how the various

ceremonial cleans-ceremonial cleans- ings and laying ings and laying hands on the sin-sacri-fices hands on the sin-sacri-fices

beautifully picture our forgive-beautifully picture our forgive-ness and cleansing is indeed good ness and cleansing is indeed good old first testament teaching that's old first testament teaching that's

brought to its fullness in the brought to its fullness in the second testament, but again let's second testament, but again let's move on. (move on. (The original term used for The original term used for

baptisms here is never used in reference here is never used in reference to what we usually think of as bap-tism; to what we usually think of as bap-tism;

rather it’s always used in the NT for cere-rather it’s always used in the NT for cere-

monial washings [cf.monial washings [cf. 9:10].].) And… ) And…

Yes, studying, believing, and Yes, studying, believing, and discuss-ing the wonders of discuss-ing the wonders of

resurrection and the terrors of resurrection and the terrors of eternal judgment is in-deed good eternal judgment is in-deed good old first testament teaching that's old first testament teaching that's

brought to its fullness in the brought to its fullness in the second testament, but let's move second testament, but let's move on! (on! (Yes, both of these are taught in the Yes, both of these are taught in the

OT, e.g. Dan. 12, et. al.OT, e.g. Dan. 12, et. al. They just had so They just had so little infor-mation about these topics that little infor-mation about these topics that they were far from the truth on what it all they were far from the truth on what it all

meant or how it would all play out.meant or how it would all play out. ) )

Yes, let’s move on.Yes, let’s move on.

And this we will And this we will do if God do if God permits.permits.


And this we will And this we will do if God do if God permits.permits.

Since (Since (as will as will become more clear become more clear in our study of in our study of 6:4-12) the hearts of ) the hearts of these brethrenthese brethren

couldcould be too far be too far gone already, gone already, Paul, by this Paul, by this statement, hinted statement, hinted at the possi-bility at the possi-bility that God’s na-ture that God’s na-ture may not permit may not permit the desired the desired conse-quenceconse-quence ofof

thisthis teach-ing. teach-ing. See… See…

Since (Since (as will as will become more clear become more clear in our study of in our study of 6:4-12) the hearts of ) the hearts of these brethrenthese brethren

couldcould be too far be too far gone already, gone already, Paul, by this Paul, by this statement, hinted statement, hinted at the possi-bility at the possi-bility that God’s na-ture that God’s na-ture may not permit may not permit the desired the desired conse-quenceconse-quence ofof

thisthis teach-ing. teach-ing. See… See…

Because God created man with Because God created man with free-will, He will not, yea cannot, free-will, He will not, yea cannot,

violate it; i.e., the choice had to be violate it; i.e., the choice had to be made by these made by these brethren between brethren between

going back to the firstgoing back to the first testament or testament or on deeper into the second on deeper into the second

testament—the testament—the purposepurpose of the first of the first testament. If these brethren testament. If these brethren

persisted persisted inin theirtheir coursecourse ((aa coursecourse

thatthat waswas impliedimplied in in 3:7-8 when Paul when Paul warned against the harden-ed heartwarned against the harden-ed heart) )

thisthis letter would do them no good; letter would do them no good; what the result of this letter was what the result of this letter was we can’t know, but we should be we can’t know, but we should be

ex-tremely thankful for the good it ex-tremely thankful for the good it does for us today.does for us today.

A Study Of The Apostle Paul’s Letter To The Hebrews

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