Hebrews 6:9-12: Loving Motivation

Introduction

Scripture

Hebrews 6:9–12 ESV

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Outline

Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God has Spoken

Hebrews 1:5-14 - The Son is Superior to the Angels

Hebrews 2:1-4 - A Warning

Hebrews 2:5-9 - Lowliness to Crowning Glory

Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus has Delivered His Brothers

Hebrews 3:1-4:13 - Jesus is a Greater Rest

Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus is Worthy of More Glory Than Moses

Hebrews 3:7-19 - Disobedience After the Exodus

Hebrews 4:1-13 - A Sabbath Rest for God’s People

Hebrews 4:14-7:26 - Jesus is Greater than Melchizedek

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus is the Great High Priest

Hebrews 5:1-10 - Jesus is the High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 - Warning and Exhortation

Hebrews 5:11-14 - Failure to Mature

Hebrews 6:1-8 - Pursue Maturity

Hebrews 6:9-12 - Loving Motivation

Hebrews 6:9 - Encouragement

Hebrews 6:10 - God is Just

Hebrews 6:11-12 - Persevere until the End

Purpose of Book

Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise

Main Point

Sure of better things, the author encourages the congregation to reject their laziness and to pursue spiritual maturation

Hebrews 6:9 - Encouragement

Hebrews 6:9 ESV

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

Though

Conjunction that signifies that he is now moving away from a warning towards loving encouragement as he does not believe the congregation has committed apostasy

We speak in this way,

Harsh, vivid eschatological warning mentioned in 6:4-6

Yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things —

Your - PLURAL

Beloved

This is the only place in the entire book he references his audience as “beloved”

This assures the congregation that he is speaking from love not judgment

We feel sure of

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. πείθω

④ perf. pass. πέπεισμαι to attain certainty in ref. to something, be convinced, certain

The author is sure of better things for this congregation

Hebrews 6:7–8 ESV

7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

Things that belong to salvation.

The author is confident that the recipients of the warning will mature from their spiritual regression and be found in Christ

They will build upon the basic core doctrine (6:1-3) and move towards maturity

Salvation here is more than the moment of conversion, but includes the eternal judgment and Christ’s return

Hebrews 6:10 - God is Just

Hebrews 6:10 ESV

10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

For

Conjunction continuing the author’s encouragement with hope for the congregation based not on their works, but God’s character

God is not unjust so as to overlook your work

Your - PLURAL

God is not unjust

Psalm 89:14 ESV

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Luke 18:7–8 ESV

7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Romans 3:21–28 ESV

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

God is a just God and would not overlook their previous work - He knows who are His and the author will elaborate on this reality looking at Abraham in vss. 13-20

Your work

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

James 2:18 ESV

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

How we live our lives actually matters to God

And the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints,

The love

You - PLURAL

His name

Serving the saints

John 13:34–35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The saints in the congregation have been faithfully serving others

As you still do.

You - PLURAL

The congregation still served the saints at large

The congregation is displaying spiritual fruit in their lives

Here is why the author is confident they will heed this warning

Hebrews 6:11-12 - Persevere until the End

Hebrews 6:11–12 ESV

11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness

And vs. But

Indicates a contrast from vss. 9 & 10 with the purpose of continuing in perseverance

We desire

The author’s warning is crouched in his deepest desire - for the congregation to persevere in eternal salvation

Each one of you

The pastor is concerned not only for the congregation as a whole, but for the individuals as well

Same Earnestness

The same zeal that they displayed in vs. 10 opposite of sluggishness

To have the full assurance of hope until the end,

full assurance of hope

God will keep His promises

Until the end

The author’s desire is for all the persevere in faith until the end - hence an eschatological warning

So that you may not be sluggish,

You - PLURAL

Sluggish

Connection back to 5:11 - dull of hearing - forming an inclusio

But imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The author’s desire is contrasted to their reality - imitate those who are mature instead of being lazy/sluggish

Inherit the promises

Language from the Abrahamic Covenant

The ultimate promise that one can inherit is the eternal promised land through the work of the Son

The first imitator that the author will mention is Abraham in Hebrews 6:13-20

Reflection

Where are you in your spiritual walk? Have you become like this congregation - sluggish?

Application

Persevere until the end! Do not give up on maturation! Heed the loving warning if you are sluggish!

Main Point

Sure of better things, the author encourages the congregation to reject their laziness and to pursue spiritual maturation