13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself, [6:14] saying, "Surely I will bless you, and I will surely multiply you." [6:15] And so, having waited patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. [6:16] For people swear by what is greater than themselves, and the oath serves as a confirmation that ends all dispute between them. [6:17] In the same way, when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, [6:18] so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. [6:19] We have this hope as an anchor for the soul — secure and firm — and entering into the inner place behind the curtain, [6:20] where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
HEB 6:13-20
Godʼs Unchangeable Promise
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, oaths were binding social contracts, often sworn by deities or higher authorities to guarantee trustworthiness. For Jewish listeners, God’s oath to Abraham in Genesis 22:16-18 would have been deeply familiar, as it underscored the covenant’s permanence. The author highlights God’s oath by Himself, a gesture of supreme authority since no higher being exists. This would resonate with Jewish and Greco-Roman audiences alike, who understood oaths as final and unbreakable. The term (long-suffering endurance) reflects Abraham’s patient trust, a virtue prized in both Jewish and Stoic thought. The (unchangeableness) of God’s purpose contrasts with human instability, offering assurance in a volatile world. The (encouragement/comfort) provided by this dual guarantee—God’s promise and oath—would have been particularly meaningful to a community facing persecution or doubt, reinforcing their confidence in God’s faithfulness.
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How other translations render this
HEB 6:13
- KJV
- For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
- BSB
- When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,
- Koinōnos
- For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself,
HEB 6:14
- KJV
- Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
- BSB
- saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”
- Koinōnos
- saying, "Surely I will bless you, and I will surely multiply you.
HEB 6:15
- KJV
- And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
- BSB
- And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.
- Koinōnos
- And so, having waited patiently, Abraham obtained the promise.
HEB 6:16
- KJV
- For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
- BSB
- Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.
- Koinōnos
- For people swear by what is greater than themselves, and the oath serves as a confirmation that ends all dispute between them.
HEB 6:17
- KJV
- Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
- BSB
- So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
- Koinōnos
- In the same way, when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,
HEB 6:18
- KJV
- That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
- BSB
- Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.
- Koinōnos
- so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
HEB 6:19
- KJV
- Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
- BSB
- We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
- Koinōnos
- We have this hope as an anchor for the soul — secure and firm — and entering into the inner place behind the curtain,
HEB 6:20
- KJV
- Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
- BSB
- where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
- Koinōnos
- where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 6:15
- having waited patiently:The word translated 'having waited patiently' implies a long-suffering endurance, not merely passive waiting, but an active perseverance through difficulty without giving up hope.
HEB 6:17
- unchangeableness:The term used here for 'unchangeableness' emphasizes an absolute and inherent immutability, meaning something that cannot be altered or shifted from its nature or purpose.
HEB 6:18
- strong:The word translated 'strong' here carries the sense of an urgent appeal or a powerful encouragement, often implying a call to action or comfort in distress.
HEB 6:19
- soul:The word translated 'soul' in this context refers to the very essence of a person's life, their vital breath, and their inner being, encompassing more than just a spiritual component.