6:2

This verse continues the list of basic teachings about the Christian life.

This verse mentions four more topics that are basic Christian teachings. The phrase instruction about applies to each of these topics. Some ways to make this clear are:

• Use an introductory phrase that obviously applies to all the following topics. For example:

and other basic teachings like these:

• Use an introductory phrase or word before each topic or each two topics. For example:

teaching about baptisms or about the laying on of hands or about people being raised from death and the future judgment

• Use more than one sentence to translate the topics. For example:

They are taught to request to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and a…leader puts hands on their head. They are taught what will happen in the future. God will make dead people live again and he will punish forever people whose behavior is evil.

Remember that the author wants his listeners to realize that these matters are basic truths that new Christians learn. By now they should be mature enough to consider topics for believers who are ready for more advanced truths. They will continue to think about the beginning topics as needed, but they will already know the basic truths about them.

6:2a

baptisms:
The Greek word for baptisms literally means “washings.” It is slightly different from the usual word used for “baptism” in the NT. Scholars interpret it in different ways in this context:

(1) It refers to Christian baptism and other types of baptism.

the teaching about baptisms (Good News Translation)

(2) It refers to ceremonies to make a person ritually clean. For example:

instruction about cleansing rites (Revised English Bible)

(3) It refers only to Christian baptism. For example:

baptism (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In Hebrews the author spoke to Jewish Christians, who knew about different types of baptism and cleansing ceremonies. They needed to be taught the meaning of Christian baptism and how it is different from other types of baptism.

In some languages it may be helpful to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

teaching about the difference between the baptism of a believer in Christ and other baptisms
-or-
purification rituals and baptism

6:2b

the laying on of hands: The action laying on of hands has a special meaning here. It refers to a Christian laying his hand or hands gently on another person (usually on his head or shoulders) to ask the Holy Spirit to come to that person. In some languages it may be necessary to use a more specific phrase. For example:

the placing of hands on the head of a companion
-or-
about placing hands on the head of people to ask a blessing for him from God

The laying on of hands was done for different purposes. At baptism, it was done to ask the Holy Spirit to be with the new believer and give him power to live for the Lord. It was also done when a person was appointed to do special work for the Lord or in order to ask for healing or for a special gift for ministry.

In some languages a phrase like laying on of hands implies a wrong meaning. For example, it may imply that a person lays hands on another person to harm him or restrain him. If that is true in your language, you may need to translate only the meaning of the action. For example:

the receiving of the Holy Spirit

6:2c–d

the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment: In 6:2c–d the author lists the final two basic teachings: After people have died, God will make them alive again, and he will judge them. His decision about them will be eternal. Some ways to translate this meaning are:

dead people coming back to life, and eternal judgment (God’s Word)
-or-
God making dead people live again and making an eternal judgment/decision about each of them

eternal judgment: The phrase eternal judgment refers to the future time when God will judge all human beings. At that time he will make a decision about each person. His decision will determine what will happen to each one forever.

Some other ways to translate eternal judgment are:

God’s judging of people which has no end to its result
-or-
people will be judged and God will determine what will happen to each person.

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