The Anchor Of The Soul

Hebrews 6:13–20 ESV

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 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. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Structure:

vv13-15 “The example of God making a promise to Abraham”

vv16-18 “The reason God swore an oath was to give hope”

vv19-20 “Jesus is the fulfillment of the hope God offered.”

Emphasis based on structure: God offered great hope to his people and Jesus is the fulfillment of that hope.

Context: verse 12 mentions that we are to imitate those who through faith and patience, inherited promises from God. The author is seeking to ground the audience in the hope found in Christ, so that they might remain in him. Additionally, he sees this promises being dispensed through the high priestly ministry role of Christ (v20).