Hebrews 6:1

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 6:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Hebrews 6:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, etc..] The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in and stick here, without going further: or rather the ceremonies of the law, which were the elements of the Jews' religion,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“WARNING AGAINST RETROGRADING, WHICH SOON LEADS TO APOSTASY; ENCOURAGEMENT TO STEADFASTNESS FROM GOD'S FAITHFULNESS TO HIS WORD AND OATH. (Heb 6:1-14) Therefore--Wherefore: seeing that ye ought not now to be still "babes" (Heb 5:11-14). leaving--getting further forward than the elementary "principles." "As in building a house one must never leave the foundation: yet to be always laboring in 'laying the foundation' would be ridiculous" [CALVIN]. the principles of the doctrine--Greek, "the word of the beginning," that is, the discussion of the "first principles of Christianity (Heb 5:12). let us go on--Greek, "let us be borne forward," or "bear ourselves forward"; implying active exertion:…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Therefore - “Since, as was stated in the previous chapter, you ought to be capable of comprehending the higher doctrines of religion; since those doctrines are adapted to those who have been for a considerable time professors of Christianity, and have had opportunities of growing in knowledge and grace - as much as strong meat is for those of mature years - leave now the elements of Christian doctrine, and go on to understand its higher mysteries.” The idea is, that to those who had so long been acquainted with the way of salvation, the elements of Christianity were no more adapted than milk was for grown persons. Leaving - Dismissing; intermitting; passing by the consideration of with a…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ - That is, saying no more of them for the present. Let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works - From open sins, the very first thing to be insisted on. And faith in God - The very next point. So St. Paul in his very first sermon at Lystra, Act 14:15, "Turn from those vanities unto the living God." And when they believed, they were to be baptized with the baptism, not of the Jews, or of John, but of Christ. The next thing was, to lay hands upon them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: after which they were more fully instructed, touching the resurrection, and the general judgment;…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25. 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the new covenant and constitute the basic posture of a Christian’s life (see Acts 20:21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“leaving: Heb 5:12-14 principles of the doctrine: or, word of the beginning, Mar 1:1; Joh 1:1-3; Ti1 3:16 let: Heb 7:11, Heb 12:13; Pro 4:18; Mat 5:48; Co1 13:10; Co2 7:1; Eph 4:12; Phi 3:12-15; Col 1:28, Col 4:12; Jam 1:4; Pe1 5:10; Jo1 4:12 laying: Mat 7:25; Luk 6:48; Co1 3:10-12; Ti1 6:19; Ti2 2:19 repentance: Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7; Eze 18:30-32; Zac 12:10; Mat 3:2, Mat 4:17, Mat 21:29, Mat 21:32; Mar 6:12; Act 2:38, Act 3:19, Act 11:18, Act 17:30, Act 20:21, Act 26:20; Co2 7:10; Ti2 2:25, Ti2 2:26 dead: Heb 9:14; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 2:1, Eph 2:5 faith: Heb 11:6; Joh 5:24, Joh 12:44, Joh 14:1; Pe1 1:21; Jo1 5:10-13 Hebrews 6:2”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification