Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.

“Hence, instead of saying many things, he writes in comparatively few words (Heb 13:22). In the "we," Paul, as usual, includes Timothy with himself in addressing them.”

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,

“This accounts for the omission of distinct specification of some essential first principle of Christian truth. Hence, too, he mentions "faith toward God," and not explicitly faith toward Christ (though of course included).”

instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

“Greek, "baptismoi," plural, including Jewish and Christian baptisms, are to be distinguished from baptisma, singular, restricted to Christian baptism.”

And this we will do, if God permits.

“The "for" in Heb 6:4 refers to this: I say, if God permit, for there are cases where God does not permit, for example, "it is impossible," &c. Without God's blessing, the cultivation of the ground does not succeed (Heb 6:7).”

who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—

“"The world to come," is the Christian dispensation, viewed especially in its future glories, though already begun in grace here. The world to come thus stands in contrast to course of this world, altogether disorganized because God is not its spring of action and end.”

and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.

“He who abides not in Christ, is cast forth as a withered branch; but he who abides in Him becomes more and more free from sin; the wicked one cannot touch him; and he by faith overcomes the world.”

For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.

“Such as the master of the soil wishes. The opposite of "rejected," Heb 6:8. by whom--rather as Greek, "for (that is, on account of) whom," namely, the lords of the soil; not the laborers, as English Version, namely, God and His Christ (1Co 3:9).”

Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.

“Greek "the things which are better"; that ye are not thorn-bearing, or nigh unto cursing, and doomed unto burning, but heirs of salvation in accordance with God's faithfulness (Heb 6:10). we are persuaded--on good grounds; the result of proof.”

For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to…

“(2) our best performances bear no proportion to what we leave undone; (3) all strength comes from God; but God has promised of His own grace to reward the good works of His people (already accepted through faith in Christ); it is His promise, not…”

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

“And--Greek, "But." desire--Greek, "earnestly desire." The language of fatherly affection, rather than command. every one of you--implying that all in the Palestinian churches had not shown the same diligence as some of those whom he praises in Heb 6:10.”

Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

“1Co 11:1. patience--Greek, "long-suffering endurance." There is the long-suffering patience, or endurance of love, 1Co 13:4, and that of faith, Heb 6:15. them who . . . inherit the promises--Greek, "who are inheriting," &c.; to whom the promises are their inheritance.”

When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,

“"He now gives consolation, by the oath of God's grace, to those whom, in the second, third, and fourth chapters, he had warned by the oath of God's 'wrath.'”

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.

“Wherein--that is, Which being the case among men, God, in accommodation to their manner of confirming covenants, superadded to His sure word His oath: the "TWO immutable things" (Heb 6:18). willing . . . counsel--Greek, "willing . . . will"; words akin.”

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…

“Ramoth, that is, high, for Him hath God exalted with His right hand (Ac 5:31). Golan, that is, joy, for in Him all the saints are justified and shall glory.”

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

“(2) The world is the fore-court: heaven, the Holy of Holies; Christ, the High Priest going before us, so as to enable us, after Him, and through Him, to enter within the veil.”

where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

“The first-fruits of our nature are ascended, and so the rest is sanctified. Christ's ascension is our promotion: and whither the glory of the Head has preceded, thither the hope of the body, too, is called.”

and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”

“Hebrew "Malchi" means king: "Tzedek," righteousness. King of Salem--not only his own name, but that of the city which he ruled, had a typical significance, namely, peace. Christ is the true Prince of peace.”

Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

“Thus compare the "consider," Heb 7:4, in the case of Melchisedec, the type, with the "consider" (Greek, "contemplate attentively," see on Heb 3:1, a stronger word than here) in the case of Christ, the archetype.”

But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

“Paul exalts Abraham in order still more to exalt Melchisedec. When Christ is the subject, the singular "promise" is used.”

And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

“The principle that the blesser is superior to him whom he blesses, holds good only in a blessing given with divine authority; not merely a prayerful wish, but one that is divinely efficient in working its purport, as that of the patriarchs on their children…”

In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.

“Christ, on the other hand, is, in His own person, "ever living after the power of an endless life" (Heb 7:16, 25).”

For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

“BENGEL remarks, The blessings which Abraham had before meeting Melchisedec were the general promises, and the special one of a natural seed, and so of Levi; but the promises under which Christ was comprehended, and the faith for which Abraham was so commended, followed after…”

For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.

“For--the reason why Paul presses the words "after the order of Melchisedec" in Ps 110:4, namely, because these presuppose a change or transference of the priesthood, and this carries with it a change also of the law (which is inseparably bound up with the priesthood…”

He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.

“Confirming the truth that a change is made of the law (Heb 7:12), by another fact showing the distinctness of the new priesthood from the Aaronic. these things-- (Ps 110:4). pertaineth--Greek, "hath partaken of" (the perfect tense implies the continuance still of His manhood).”

And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,

“Another proof that the law, or economy, is changed, namely, forasmuch as Christ is appointed Priest, "not according to the law of a carnal (that is, a mere outward) commandment," but "according to the power of an indissoluble (so the Greek) life."”