Hebrews 6:17

“Wherein God, willing, etc..] Or “wherefore”, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it; that is, whereas an oath is used among men to confirm anything that might be doubted; therefore God, in condescension to the weakness of men, made use of one; being very desirous and determined, more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel; by which is meant, not the Gospel nor the ordinances of it, though these are sometimes called the counsel of God; but the decree of God, concerning the salvation of his people by Jesus Christ, which is immutable; as appears from the unchangeableness of his nature, the sovereignty of his will, the unsearchableness of his wisdom,…”

“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. Expressing the utmost benignity [BENGEL]. more abundantly--than had He not sworn. His word would have been amply enough; but, to make assurance doubly sure, He "interposed with an oath" (so the Greek). Literally, He acted as Mediator, coming between Himself and us; as if He were less, while He swears, than Himself by whom He swears (for the less among men usually swear by the greater). Dost thou not yet believe, thou that hearest the promise?…”

“Wherein God - On account of which; or since an oath had this effect, God was willing to appeal to it in order to assure his people of salvation. Willing more abundantly - In the most abundant manner, or to make the case as sure as possible. It does not mean more abundantly than in the case of Abraham, but that he was willing to give the most ample assurance possible. Coverdale renders it correctly, “very abundantly.” The heirs of promise - The heirs to whom the promise of life pertained; that is, all who were interested in the promises made to Abraham - thus embracing the heirs of salvation now. The immutability of his counsel - His fixed purpose. He meant to show in the most solemn manner…”

“God interposed by an oath - Amazing condescension! He who is greatest of all acts as if he were a middle person; as if while he swears, he were less than himself, by whom he swears! Thou that hearest the promise, dost thou not yet believe? Hebrews 6:18”

“6:17-18 God also bound himself with an oath: See 7:20-22. God’s oath makes it clear that he would never change his mind . . . because it is impossible for God to lie (see Ps 110:4). • We have fled to him for refuge, like those in the Old Testament era who killed someone accidentally (Num 35:9-34; Deut 4:41-43); Christ is like a city of refuge, where believers escape God’s wrath. Christ’s followers, therefore, have great confidence.”

“more: Psa 36:8; Sol 5:1; Isa 55:7; Joh 10:10; Pe1 1:3 the heirs: Heb 6:12, Heb 11:7, Heb 11:9; Rom 8:17; Gal 3:29; Jam 2:5; Pe1 3:7 the immutability: Heb 6:18; Job 23:13, Job 23:14; Psa 33:11; Pro 19:21; Isa 14:24, Isa 14:26, Isa 14:27, Isa 46:10; Isa 54:9, Isa 54:10, Isa 55:11; Jer 33:20, Jer 33:21, Jer 33:25, Jer 33:26; Mal 3:6; Rom 11:29; Jam 1:17 confirmed it: Gr. interposed himself, Heb 6:16; Gen 26:28; Exo 22:11 Hebrews 6:18”