Warning Against Spiritual Immaturity
Hebrews 5:11-6:12
Heb.5.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Περι: PREP
- ου: PART,neg
- πολυς: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δυσερμηνευτος: ADV
- λεγειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- επει: CONJ
- νωθροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- γεγονατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ακοαις·: NOUN,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (allusion): Uses the same motif of dull/heavy ears and inability to hear/understand; Hebrews 5:11 echoes Isaiah's picture of people whose ears are made heavy so they cannot comprehend.
- John 12:40 (quotation): Explicitly quotes Isaiah 6:10 about blinded eyes and hardened hearts/ears; parallels Hebrews' charge that the readers have become 'dull of hearing.'
- Acts 28:26-27 (quotation): Paul cites Isaiah 6 to describe Jewish unbelief—'they will hear and never understand'—a similar diagnosis to Hebrews' claim of spiritual dullness.
- Hebrews 5:12-14 (structural): Immediate context develops the same theme: because the audience is 'dull of hearing' they remain on spiritual milk and cannot digest solid food (mature teaching).
- Hebrews 6:4-6 (thematic): Addresses the consequences of spiritual immaturity and hardness—those who have tasted the truth but fall away—echoing the warning implicit in the charge of dullness in 5:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have grown dull of hearing.
- About him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have grown dull of hearing.
Heb.5.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- οφειλοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- διδασκαλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- χρονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- παλιν: ADV
- χρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- διδασκειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- στοιχεια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αρχης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- λογιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- γεγονατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- χρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- γαλακτος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ου: PART,neg
- στερεας: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- τροφης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (verbal): Paul contrasts 'milk' and 'solid food' for immature believers, using virtually the same language to describe spiritual infancy and inability to accept deeper teaching.
- 1 Peter 2:2 (thematic): Uses the 'milk of the word' metaphor to urge spiritual growth from basic teaching—parallel imagery emphasizing need to move beyond elementary sustenance.
- Hebrews 6:1-3 (structural): Immediate continuation within Hebrews: the author calls for leaving 'elementary principles' and progressing to maturity, echoing the critique in 5:12 and developing the same theme.
- Galatians 4:3 (allusion): Uses the term stoicheia ('elementary principles') to describe basic rudiments people are enslaved to; parallels Hebrews' reference to the 'first principles' or rudiments of God's message.
Alternative generated candidates
- For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of God's oracles; you have come to need milk, not solid food.
- For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you still need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word again; you have need of milk, not solid food.
Heb.5.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μετεχων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- γαλακτος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- απειρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- λογου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δικαιοσυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- νηπιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- εστιν·: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Hebrews 5:12 (structural): Immediate context: contrasts 'milk' and 'solid food' and reprimands readers for being slow to learn—same metaphor and argument within the same pericope.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (verbal): Paul says he gave them 'milk, not solid food' because they were 'infants in Christ,' using the same milk/infant language for spiritual immaturity.
- 1 Peter 2:2 (verbal): Calls believers 'newborn infants' who should crave 'pure spiritual milk'—similar nourishment imagery for growth in righteousness.
- Ephesians 4:14 (thematic): Warns against remaining 'children'—tossed and carried about—employing child/immaturity imagery parallel to Hebrews' critique of spiritual immaturity.
- 1 Corinthians 13:11 (thematic): Uses the child/adult contrast ('when I was a child... when I became a man') to describe maturity in understanding, paralleling Hebrews' infant/adult distinction for growth in righteousness.
Alternative generated candidates
- For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the message of righteousness, for he is a child.
- For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness; he is an infant.
Heb.5.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τελειων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- στερεα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- τροφη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εξιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αισθητηρια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- γεγυμνασμενα: VERB,perf,pass,part,acc,pl,n
- εχοντων: PART,pres,act,gen,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- διακρισιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- καλου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- κακου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Hebrews 5:12 (structural): Immediate context contrast — earlier rebuke for still needing 'milk, not solid food,' setting up 5:14's definition of who can take solid food (the mature).
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (verbal): Paul's milk vs. solid food metaphor mirrors Hebrews' contrast between basic teaching and deeper instruction for the mature. 3:2 explicitly uses 'milk' and 'solid food.'
- 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 (thematic): Distinguishes the natural/unspiritual person from the spiritual one who 'judges' or discerns — parallels Hebrews' claim that the mature are trained to discern good and evil.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (thematic): Commands believers to 'test all things; hold fast what is good,' echoing the ethical discernment and testing implied by Hebrews' trained senses.
- Philippians 1:9-10 (thematic): Paul prays that love be accompanied by knowledge and discernment so believers 'may approve what is excellent,' paralleling the aim of perceptive/trained judgment in Hebrews 5:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- But solid food is for the mature—those whose powers of discernment are trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
- But solid food is for the mature, whose faculties are trained by constant practice to discern both good and evil.
Heb.6.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Διο: CONJ
- αφεντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αρχης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τελειοτητα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- φερωμεθα: VERB,pres,mid,subj,1,pl
- μη: PART
- παλιν: ADV
- θεμελιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- καταβαλλομενοι: PART,pres,pass,nom,m,pl
- μετανοιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- απο: PREP
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 5:12-14 (structural): Same epistolary argument pressing readers to move from elementary teaching to maturity (milk vs. solid food; critique of spiritual immaturity) — immediate context and parallel exhortation.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (thematic): Paul's contrast between spiritual infancy (milk) and maturity (solid food) parallels Hebrews' call to advance beyond elementary instruction toward maturity.
- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (verbal): Uses foundation imagery and ministry-building language ('laid a foundation') that resonates with Hebrews' warning against re-laying elementary foundations.
- Acts 20:21 (verbal): Paul's formulation pairing 'repentance toward God' and 'faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ' closely reflects Hebrews' phraseology ('repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God').
- Acts 26:20 (thematic): Summarizes the evangelistic outcome as repentance and turning to God with deeds worthy of repentance, echoing Hebrews' linkage of repentance and works (repentance from dead works).
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore let us leave the elementary instruction about Christ and press on to maturity, not again laying a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
- Therefore let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and press on to maturity; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
Heb.6.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- βαπτισμων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- διδαχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επιθεσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- τε: CONJ
- χειρων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- αναστασεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- τε: CONJ
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- κριματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αιωνιου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 6:1 (structural): Immediate context: verse 2 lists the 'elementary teachings' referred to in 6:1 (foundation principles of the Christian faith).
- Acts 19:6 (verbal): Paul lays hands on believers and they receive the Holy Spirit—an example of the practice of imposition of hands mentioned in Heb 6:2.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 (verbal): Paul exhorts Timothy not to neglect the gift given through prophecy and the laying on of hands, echoing the 'imposition of hands' as a recognized practice.
- 1 Corinthians 15:12-22 (thematic): Extended treatment of the resurrection of the dead, developing the doctrine briefly listed among the elementary teachings in Heb 6:2.
- Matthew 25:31-46 (thematic): Jesus' teaching on final judgment and eternal consequences parallels Heb 6:2's reference to 'eternal judgment' as a foundational Christian doctrine.
Alternative generated candidates
- and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
- and of instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Heb.6.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ποιησομεν: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,pl
- εανπερ: CONJ
- επιτρεπη: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- James 4:15 (verbal): Explicitly uses the same conditional formula ('If the Lord wills' / 'if God permit') to qualify future plans, echoing the deference to divine permission in Heb 6:3.
- 1 Corinthians 4:19 (verbal): Paul's 'I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills' parallels the identical restraint—plans are contingent on God's will, as in Hebrews 6:3.
- Romans 15:32 (verbal): Paul speaks of coming 'by the will of God,' a similar acknowledgement that actions/visits proceed only with God's permission, matching the sense of Heb 6:3.
- Matthew 26:39 (thematic): Jesus' submission 'not as I will, but as you will' relates thematically to Hebrews' posture of deferring plans to God's will—both affirm divine sovereignty over human action.
Alternative generated candidates
- And this we will do, God willing.
- And this we will do—if God permits.
Heb.6.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αδυνατον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- απαξ: ADV
- φωτισθεντας: VERB,aor,pass,part,acc,pl,m
- γευσαμενους: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,pl,m
- τε: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δωρεας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- επουρανιου: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- μετοχους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- γενηθεντας: VERB,aor,pass,part,acc,pl,m
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Hebrews 10:26-29 (thematic): Another severe warning in Hebrews about persisting in sin after receiving knowledge/privileges; both passages stress the grave peril of apostasy following prior enlightenment or access to covenant blessings.
- 2 Peter 2:20-22 (thematic): Speaks of persons who have 'escaped' defilements and 'know the way' but then are again entangled, leaving them worse off—parallels the warning about those once enlightened who fall away.
- Acts 2:38 (verbal): Peter promises 'the gift of the Holy Spirit' to repentant believers; echoes the language of having 'tasted the heavenly gift' and being 'partakers of the Holy Spirit' in Hebrews 6:4.
- Ephesians 1:13-14 (allusion): Describes believers being sealed with the promised Holy Spirit as a present reality and guarantee—parallels Hebrews' language of participation in the Holy Spirit as a defining spiritual privilege.
- 1 John 2:19 (thematic): Refers to people who 'went out from us' and thus were never truly of the community; resonates with Hebrews' concern about those who appear to share in spiritual blessings yet fall away.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- For it is impossible, in the case of those who were once enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
Heb.6.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- καλον: ADJ,nom/acc,sg,neut
- γευσαμενους: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,pl,masc
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ρημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- δυναμεις: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- τε: CONJ
- μελλοντος: PART,pres,act,gen,sg,m
- αιωνος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 6:4 (structural): Immediate context: verse 4–5 lists experiences (enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, shared the Spirit, tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come) as a single unit describing what the readers have undergone.
- Hebrews 2:4 (thematic): Speaks of God’s attesting work through signs, wonders and gifts of the Spirit—paralleling the language of divine ‘‘powers’’ and supernatural validation associated with the coming age.
- Hebrews 2:5 (verbal): Uses the same phrase for the future era (τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος / μέλλοντος αἰῶνος), linking the author’s eschatological horizon and the idea of powers belonging to the age to come.
- 1 Peter 2:3 (verbal): ‘If you have tasted that the Lord is good’ (γεῦσθε ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ κύριος) echoes the metaphor of ‘tasting’ divine reality/goodness found in Hebrews 6:5 (tasted the good word of God).
- Psalm 34:8 (LXX Psalm 33:9) (verbal): ‘Taste and see that the LORD is good’ (γευσάσθωσαν... ὅτι χρηστός ὁ Κύριος) provides the OT background for the ‘taste’ metaphor of experiencing God’s goodness used in Hebrews 6:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
- and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
Heb.6.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παραπεσοντας: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,pl,m
- παλιν: ADV
- ανακαινιζειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- μετανοιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ανασταυρουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- παραδειγματιζοντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 6:4-8 (structural): Immediate context: the paragraph (Heb 6:4–8) frames the warning about falling away, renewal into repentance being 'impossible' and uses agricultural imagery of fruitlessness—directly connected to v.6's language about falling away and crucifying the Son.
- Hebrews 10:26-29 (verbal): Close verbal and theological parallel: warns against deliberate sin after receiving knowledge, speaks of trampling the Son of God and treating his blood with contempt—echoes 'crucifying again the Son of God and putting him to open shame.'
- Galatians 5:4 (thematic): Paul's warning that returning to the law means having 'fallen from grace' resonates with Hebrews' concern that apostasy nullifies the saving effect of Christ's work.
- Galatians 2:21 (thematic): Paul's assertion that if righteousness comes through the law, 'Christ died for nothing' parallels the idea that repudiating Christ after knowing him effectively negates his redemptive work (akin to 'crucifying again').
Alternative generated candidates
- and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance—since they are crucifying once more the Son of God for themselves and holding him up to public shame.
- and then have fallen away, to renew them again to repentance—since they are crucifying the Son of God anew for themselves and exposing him to public shame.
Heb.6.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πιουσα: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,f
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- επ᾽αυτης: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,f
- ερχομενον: VERB,pres,mid,part,acc,sg,m
- πολλακις: ADV
- υετον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τικτουσα: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,f
- βοτανην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ευθετον: ADJ,nom,sg,neut
- εκεινοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- δι᾽ους: PREP+REL,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- γεωργειται: VERB,pres,mid/pas,ind,3,sg
- μεταλαμβανει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ευλογιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 55:10 (verbal): Rain from heaven waters the earth so it brings forth and gives seed to the sower—directly parallels earth 'drinking' frequent rain and producing useful vegetation, receiving God's blessing.
- Psalm 65:9-10 (verbal): God visits and waters the earth, enriching it and preparing grain—parallels the divine provision of rain that enables the land to yield crops and so receive blessing.
- Psalm 1:3 (thematic): The righteous is like a tree planted by streams that yields fruit in season—uses the same life-from-water imagery to link receiving moisture with productive, blessed growth.
- Jeremiah 17:7-8 (thematic): One who trusts in the Lord is like a tree planted by water that sends out roots and bears fruit—echoes the motif of flourishing through continual access to water and divine favor.
- Hosea 10:12 (thematic): Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap steadfast love—connects cultivation and sowing with receiving blessing/harvest, resonating with the idea of cultivated land yielding benefit and God's blessing.
Alternative generated candidates
- For land that drinks in the rain that often falls on it and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated receives God's blessing.
- For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated receives God's blessing.
Heb.6.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εκφερουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,f,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ακανθας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- τριβολους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αδοκιμος: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- καταρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εγγυς: ADV
- ης: PRON,gen,sg,f
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τελος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- καυσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Genesis 3:18 (allusion): The curse on the ground after the Fall: the earth yields thorns and thistles — likely background for Hebrews’ image of unproductive land producing briars and destined for judgment.
- Matthew 13:40-42 (thematic): Parable explanation of the end‑time harvest: weeds are gathered and burned — parallels Hebrews’ image of unfruitful ground whose end is burning (divine judgment at harvest/consummation).
- Matthew 7:19 (verbal): Jesus’ saying that every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire echoes the same fruit/fruitlessness → destruction imagery used in Hebrews 6:8.
- Luke 3:9 (verbal): John the Baptist’s warning that unfruitful trees will be cut down and thrown into the fire closely parallels Hebrews’ threat of judgment on unproductive soil.
- Isaiah 5:24 (thematic): Prophetic image of fire devouring stubble and judgment on those who reject the LORD — similar symbolic language of burning as the final outcome of unfruitfulness and rebellion.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed; its end is to be burned.
- But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless, near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
Heb.6.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πεπεισμεθα: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,1,pl
- δε: CONJ
- περι: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- αγαπητοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- κρεισσονα: ADJ,comp,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- εχομενα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,n
- σωτηριας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- ουτως: ADV
- λαλουμεν·: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Hebrews 6:11 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same paragraph urging the recipients to show diligence and to have full assurance of hope until the end — develops the encouragement implicit in 6:9.
- Hebrews 6:18 (thematic): Later in the letter the author emphasizes God's sure promises as a basis for encouragement and holding fast to hope, reinforcing the conviction about the readers' salvation implied in 6:9.
- Philippians 1:6 (thematic): Paul expresses confidence that God will complete the work begun in believers, a parallel assurance concerning the progress and outcome of salvation found in Heb 6:9's 'better things...belonging to salvation.'
- 2 Corinthians 7:16 (verbal): Paul's expression of confidence/trust in the recipients (cf. πεποιθώς/πεποίθησιν) parallels the author's 'we are persuaded' language about the readers in Heb 6:9.
- Galatians 6:9 (thematic): An exhortation to persevere in doing good so that one may 'reap' in due time resonates with Hebrews' encouragement about the things accompanying salvation and perseverance toward that salvation.
Alternative generated candidates
- But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things concerning you—things that accompany salvation—though we speak in this way.
- But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you—things that accompany salvation—though we speak in this way.
Heb.6.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- αδικος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- επιλαθεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- εργου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αγαπης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ης: PRON,gen,sg,f
- ενεδειξασθε: VERB,aor,mid,ind,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- διακονησαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αγιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- διακονουντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (verbal): Mentions 'work of faith' and 'labor of love'—language closely parallels Hebrews' praise of the believers' work and love that God will not forget.
- Revelation 2:19 (verbal): Jesus commends 'your works and your love and your service and your faith,' echoing Hebrews' trio of work, love, and ministry to the saints.
- 1 John 3:17-18 (thematic): Stresses that genuine love is shown by practical help to fellow believers—the same ethic of ministering to the saints that Hebrews commends.
- Galatians 6:9-10 (thematic): Encourages perseverance in doing good and specifically serving 'the household of faith,' aligning with Hebrews' call to faithful ministry to fellow Christians.
- Hebrews 10:34 (structural): Within the same epistle, the author recalls the readers' past compassionate service (e.g., aiding those in prison), illustrating the concrete deeds of love referred to in 6:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have shown for his name in serving the saints and in continuing to serve them.
- For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you continue to do.
Heb.6.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επιθυμουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- δε: CONJ
- εκαστον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- ενδεικνυσθαι: VERB,pres,mp,inf
- σπουδην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πληροφοριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ελπιδος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αχρι: PREP
- τελους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Hebrews 3:6 (verbal): Both passages urge believers to 'hold fast' or show diligence in their confidence/hope 'firm to the end,' using similar language about perseverance in hope until the end.
- 2 Peter 1:5-11 (thematic): Calls for making every effort to supplement faith with virtue so that believers 'may be effective and productive' and be 'confirmed' in their calling—parallel emphasis on diligent effort to secure assurance and perseverance.
- Philippians 3:12-14 (thematic): Paul's image of pressing on toward the goal and pursuing the heavenly prize parallels the call to persistent diligence toward the 'full assurance of hope' until the end.
- Colossians 1:23 (verbal): Exhorts believers to continue in the faith 'stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel,' echoing Hebrews' insistence on sustained diligence and constancy in hope.
Alternative generated candidates
- And we desire that each of you show the same earnestness to the full assurance of hope until the end,
- And we desire that each one of you show the same earnest zeal to the full assurance of hope until the end,
Heb.6.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- νωθροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- γενησθε: VERB,aor,mid,subj,2,pl
- μιμηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- μακροθυμιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κληρονομουντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- επαγγελιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Hebrews 10:36 (verbal): Same epistle: exhorts believers to have endurance (υπομονη) so that after doing God’s will they may receive what is is promised—close verbal and conceptual parallel to persevering to inherit the promises.
- Hebrews 11:39-40 (thematic): Speaks of the faithful of old who did not receive the promises in their lifetime but were held for a fulfillment together with us—connects the call to imitate those who by faith and patience inherit the promises.
- James 1:12 (thematic): Promises a reward (the crown of life) to the one who endures trial; links perseverance/faith under trial with receiving God’s promised reward, echoing Heb 6:12’s stress on endurance to inherit promises.
- Galatians 6:9 (thematic): Exhorts believers not to grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time they will reap a harvest if they do not give up—parallels the warning against slackness and the call to perseverance in Heb 6:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
- so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
We have much to say about this, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you again need someone to teach you the basic principles of the oracles of God; you have come to need milk, not solid food.
For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. But solid food belongs to the mature—those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
Therefore, leaving behind the elementary teaching about Christ, let us press on to maturity, and not lay again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do, God permitting.
For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who once were enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,
and then have fallen away—since it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, for they crucify the Son of God again and expose him to public shame.
For the land that drinks in the rain often falling upon it and produces useful vegetation for those by whom it is cultivated receives God’s blessing. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.
But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you—things that accompany salvation—even though we speak in this way.
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have shown for his name, in having served and still serving the saints. And we desire that each of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.