Paragraph 6:1–3
6:1a–b
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity: Here the Berean Standard Bible follows the order of phrases in the Greek text. Some translations use a different order of phrases. For example:
Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ (New Revised Standard Version)
Choose the order that is most natural in your language.
let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity: Here the author told his listeners to stop repeating only the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to become mature. The phrase let us leave indicates that we must advance from basic teachings to learn what mature believers need to know. The phrase is not a request for permission.
Some other ways to translate this exhortation in 6:1a are:
in our study of Christ it is necessary that we become mature by learning more complex matters. Let’s not continue studying only the basic teaching.
-or-
we should stop repeating only the easiest teachings concerning Christ. Now we should learn the deeper teachings so that our faith will become mature.
6:1a
Therefore: The conjunction Therefore introduces an exhortation based on what the author told his hearers in 5:11–14. He said that they need to stop listening only to simple teaching and listen to teaching that is for mature believers. He assumes that they will now listen to the more advanced teaching about Jesus being our high priest.
Some other ways to translate Therefore here are:
So (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Because of this/that
-or-
Now therefore
-or-
With this in mind (God’s Word)
The word Therefore occurs often in Hebrews. It occurred already in 3:7 and 3:10. However, many versions translate it differently in these verses. You will need to think carefully about the connections in each context to make them clear and natural in your language.
let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ: The author implies here that his listeners need to add to the basic truths that they learned about Christ. He did not imply that they should leave the basic truths and stop thinking about them. He meant that they should not be content with only those basic truths. He wanted them to also learn more complex truths about Christ to help them to mature in their faith.
Other ways to translate this meaning are.
we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ (NET Bible)
-or-
We must…start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. (Contemporary English Version)
the elementary teachings about Christ: The phrase elementary teachings about Christ refers to the first truths about Christ that the church teaches to a new believer in him. The phrase is similar to the phrase “basic principles” in 5:12. For more information and translation examples, see the note on 5:12a–b.
6:1b
and go on to maturity: The phrase go on to maturity is more literally “we-must-be-moved-on to maturity.” It indicates that we must develop (grow, progress) toward becoming mature as believers in Christ. It also implies that we must learn and understand the truths that mature believers need to know.
Some ways to translate the phrase go on to maturity are:
let us also learn the deeper teachings so that our faith will become mature.
-or-
let’s develop/grow and become complete ⌊in our understanding⌋
maturity: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as maturity means “completeness, perfection.” The word occurs only here and in Colossians 3:14. However, the corresponding verb “to make perfect” or “complete” occurs over twelve times in Hebrews. See the preceding note for translation examples.
6:1c–2
In 6:1d–2 the author listed six basic teachings that are part of the foundation of Christian faith. He mentions them in three pairs:
(a) repentance from dead works and faith in God,
(b) instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands,
(c) resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
In (a) the author summarizes the crucial first things that a person does in coming to God: he repents of his sins and puts his faith in God. In (b) the author summarizes ceremonies of the church like baptism, in which a person is publicly initiated. In (c) he summarizes beliefs about future resurrection and judgment. The author implied that the readers already knew these truths and no one should have to teach them again.
6:1c
not laying again the foundation: Here the author used a metaphor. He compared the elementary teachings about Christ to the foundation of a building. A foundation is its base and support. After the foundation is finished, the building needs walls and a roof. After a Christian has the foundation of basic beliefs, he needs to “build on” his faith by learning what mature believers need to know.
Some other ways to translate the metaphor are:
• Use a simile. For example:
Let’s not continue to repeat the same basic teachings like someone who builds only the foundation of a house
• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
without going over the fundamental doctrines again (New Jerusalem Bible)
Translate the meaning in a clear way in your language.
6:1d
repentance from dead works: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as repentance refers to a person changing his mind, heart, or will. When a person repents from dead works, he realizes that they are wrong. He is sorry and stops doing them.
Some other ways to translate repentance from dead works are:
rejecting sins, which bring death
-or-
to quit/stop doing evil, which leads to death
For more information, see repent in Key Biblical Terms.
dead works: In this context, the phrase dead works refer to deeds that are both sinful and useless. They have no value, because they do not please God. They cannot help anyone to know God and go to heaven. They actually cause a person to be separated from God, which is spiritual death.
Some ways to translate the phrase dead works are:
• Refer to them as useless actions. For example:
useless works (Good News Translation)
-or-
deeds/activities that have no value
• Refer to them as deeds that bring eternal death or punishment. For example:
not to do the evil that brings punishment
The text does not imply that the sins cause immediate physical death. Also, it does not imply that only some sins lead to death. Some other ways to translate dead works are:
⌊ sinful⌋acts, which lead to death
-or-
evil deeds (New Living Translation (2004))
6:1e
and of faith in God: The phrase faith in God refers to trusting God. It is listed here as the second teaching that is part of the foundation of Christian faith. In this context it refers especially to people trusting God to save them from sin and eternal death. In some languages it is more natural to express the noun faith as a verb. For example:
believing in God (Good News Translation)
-or-
trust in God
-or-
depending/relying on God
For more information, see believe, sense C, in Key Biblical Terms.
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