Better Things
Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. (NKJV)
The early church claimed that the Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Hebrews. Clement of Alexandria claimed that Luke translated the book into Greek.
Luke was Paul’s amanuensis in Paul’s final days (2 Timothy 4:11) and is believed to be his amanuensis for this writing. This letter is believed to be Paul’s last, written late A.D. 67-early A.D. 68.
In the previous passage Paul warned against apostasy, the conscious act of turning away from Christ and rejecting Him. This is the person who has experienced Christ and professed to be a believer but then falls away.
By his action of rejecting Christ, he has proven that he was never a Christian. The proof of being a Christian and being indwelled by the Holy Spirit is endurance in the faith.
Paul began this passage with “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you” (v. 9a). So, Paul warned of apostasy but was “confident” that the Hebrews to whom this letter was written were true believers.
Paul continues with “yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner” (v. 9b). The “better things” accompany salvation, belong to true believers.
The phrase translated “that accompany salvation” in the literal Greek translation is “even holding fast salvation”. “Holding fast (to) salvation” is a reference to the endurance that proves the Hebrews were true believers.
Next, Paul writes “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (v. 10). Here, Paul encourages the Hebrews with the truth that God is just, and will not forget the work they do for Him and the love they show to Him by helping His people both in the past and in the present.
Doing good works is the result of being a Christian. Paul is again displaying his faithfulness to the Hebrews that they are true believers.
Next, Paul writes “And we desire” (v. 11a). The words translated “we desire” is the Greek word “epithumoumen” which means “we strongly desire”.
Paul continues with “that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end” (v. 11b). It is Paul’s, and those helping in his ministry, strong desire that the Hebrews would endure in these good works “until the end”.
This endurance would “show the same diligence to the full assurance”. Again, this is a reference to their endurance proving that they are true believers.
Next, Paul writes “that you do not become sluggish” (v. 12a). The strong desire is that these Hebrew believers would not be “sluggish” in their faith.
The word translated “sluggish” is the Greek word “nothroi”, which means “dull”. The word “dull” is a good description for some in the church.
They are just going through the motions. They show up for church, but that’s about all.
They are dull, slow to learn, because they do not read their Bibles and they do not attend Bible study. This slowness to learn often precedes apostasy. They may not be true believers.
Paul continues with “but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (v. 12b). In contrast, the strong desire is for the dull believers to “imitate” those of “faith and patience”, the true believers.
Next Paul writes “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself” (v. 13). God’s promise to Abraham was on His oath, guaranteed by the highest power, God Himself.
Abraham, perhaps, was the greatest of those of faith and patience. His faith was such that he offered up his son for sacrifice in obedience to God, even though God later did not require that sacrifice.
God would never require that of believers. He only required it of His own Son, Jesus Christ.
Abraham’s patience, endurance, was displayed by his waiting upon God to fulfill His promise to him. This is the kind of faith and endurance that proves that we are believers.
Paul writes “saying, ‘Surely blessing I will bless him, and multiplying I will multiply you’ " (v. 14). His promise to Abraham was to surely bless him and tg give him many descendants.
God blesses our faith and endurance. His blessing to Abraham was many descendants. His blessing to us may be altogether different, but it is sure.
Paul closes this passage with “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise (v. 15). And so, after patiently enduring, Abraham received his promise.
God is faithful. He blesses our faithfulness and endurance.
He blesses us with eternal life. He blesses us with earthly blessings and rewards in Heaven.
He is sure, and just, to fulfill His promises to us. These promises can be found throughout the Bible.
They are there for us to read, and receive. They are the result of the “better things”, our faithfulness and endurance.
Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary