The keynote of this passage is patient continuance. We should seek not only faith but its accompaniments. It is not enough to manifest faith, hope and love, but to continue to do so unto the end. Notice that the two conditions on which the promises are inherited are faith and patience.
These truths are enforced by the example of Abraham. He believed God and patiently endured. Your prayers cannot be lost, as ships at sea; they will make harbor at last, laden with golden freight. God's promise and oath are a double door, behind which they who have fled for refuge are safe-a double window beyond which all noise dies down. The allusion is either to the cities of refuge, or to a ship safely riding out the storm. Hope is sure, because the anchor has fastened in a sure ground; steadfast, because its cable will not snap in the strain; and entering, etc., because it unites us to the unseen. Jesus has taken our anchor into the inner harbor, and has dropped it down into the clear, still water there. [source]
Chapter Summary: Hebrews 6
1He exhorts not to fall back from the faith; 11but to be steadfast, 12diligent, and patient to wait upon God; 13because God is most sure in his promise
Greek Commentary for Hebrews 6:15
Having patiently endured [μακροτυμησας] First aorist active participle of μακροτυμος makrothumos Second aorist (effective) active indicative of epetugchanō old verb with genitive. God was true to his word and Abraham was faithful. [source]
After he had patiently endured [μακροθυμήσας] Pointing back to μακροθυμία long-suffering Hebrews 6:12. [source]
He obtained [ἐπέτυχεν] The compounded preposition ἐπὶ has the force of upon: to light or hit upon. The verb indicates that Abraham did not personally receive the entire fulfillment of the promise, but only the germ of its fulfillment. It was partially fulfilled in the birth of Isaac. See Romans 4:18. The security of the divine promise illustrated by the analogy of human practice. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]
Hebrews 11:13In faith [κατα πιστιν] Here a break in the routine πιστει pistei (by faith), “according to faith,” either for literary variety “or to suggest πιστις pistis as the sphere and standard of their characters” (Moffatt). These all Those in Hebrews 11:9-12 (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob). Not having the promises First aorist middle participle of κομιζω komizō to obtain, as in Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 11:39. And yet the author mentions Abraham (Hebrews 6:15) as having obtained the promise. He received the promise of the Messiah, but did not live to see the Messiah come as we have done. It is in this sense that we have “better promises.” Greeted them First aorist middle participle of ασπαζομαι aspazomai to salute (Matthew 5:47). Abraham rejoiced to see Christ‘s day in the dim distance (John 8:56). Strangers Foreigners. “To reside abroad carried with it a certain stigma” (Moffatt). But they “confessed” it (Genesis 23:4; Genesis 47:9). Pilgrims Late double compound (παρα επι δημος para class="translit"> epi class="translit"> dēmos), a sojourner from another land, in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:11. [source]
Hebrews 11:33Through faith [δια πιστεως] Change thus from the routine πιστει pistei used so far. Subdued kingdoms First aorist middle indicative of καταγωνιζομαι katagōnizomai Koiné verb to struggle against, to overcome, here alone in the N.T. Used by Josephus of David‘s conquests. The author has here (Hebrews 11:33,Hebrews 11:34), “nine terse clauses” (Moffatt) with no connective (asyndeton) with great rhetorical and oratorical force (sledge-hammer style). For “wrought righteousness” Second aorist active indicative of επιτυγχανω epitugchanō old verb (already in Hebrews 6:15) with genitive. But they did not see the fulfilment of the Messianic promise (Hebrews 11:39.). Stopped the mouths of lions First aorist active indicative of πρασσω phrassō old verb to fence in, to block up. See Daniel 6:18-23. [source]
What do the individual words in Hebrews 6:15 mean?
Greek Commentary for Hebrews 6:15
First aorist active participle of μακροτυμος makrothumos Second aorist (effective) active indicative of epetugchanō old verb with genitive. God was true to his word and Abraham was faithful. [source]
Pointing back to μακροθυμία long-suffering Hebrews 6:12. [source]
The compounded preposition ἐπὶ has the force of upon: to light or hit upon. The verb indicates that Abraham did not personally receive the entire fulfillment of the promise, but only the germ of its fulfillment. It was partially fulfilled in the birth of Isaac. See Romans 4:18. The security of the divine promise illustrated by the analogy of human practice. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 6:15
See on Hebrews 6:15. [source]
Here a break in the routine πιστει pistei (by faith), “according to faith,” either for literary variety “or to suggest πιστις pistis as the sphere and standard of their characters” (Moffatt). These all Those in Hebrews 11:9-12 (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob). Not having the promises First aorist middle participle of κομιζω komizō to obtain, as in Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 11:39. And yet the author mentions Abraham (Hebrews 6:15) as having obtained the promise. He received the promise of the Messiah, but did not live to see the Messiah come as we have done. It is in this sense that we have “better promises.” Greeted them First aorist middle participle of ασπαζομαι aspazomai to salute (Matthew 5:47). Abraham rejoiced to see Christ‘s day in the dim distance (John 8:56). Strangers Foreigners. “To reside abroad carried with it a certain stigma” (Moffatt). But they “confessed” it (Genesis 23:4; Genesis 47:9). Pilgrims Late double compound (παρα επι δημος para class="translit"> epi class="translit"> dēmos), a sojourner from another land, in N.T. only here and 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:11. [source]
Change thus from the routine πιστει pistei used so far. Subdued kingdoms First aorist middle indicative of καταγωνιζομαι katagōnizomai Koiné verb to struggle against, to overcome, here alone in the N.T. Used by Josephus of David‘s conquests. The author has here (Hebrews 11:33, Hebrews 11:34), “nine terse clauses” (Moffatt) with no connective (asyndeton) with great rhetorical and oratorical force (sledge-hammer style). For “wrought righteousness” Second aorist active indicative of επιτυγχανω epitugchanō old verb (already in Hebrews 6:15) with genitive. But they did not see the fulfilment of the Messianic promise (Hebrews 11:39.). Stopped the mouths of lions First aorist active indicative of πρασσω phrassō old verb to fence in, to block up. See Daniel 6:18-23. [source]