The Meaning of Hebrews 6:16 Explained

Hebrews 6:16

KJV: For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

YLT: for men indeed do swear by the greater, and an end of all controversy to them for confirmation is the oath,

Darby: For men indeed swear by a greater, and with them the oath is a term to all dispute, as making matters sure.

ASV: For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  men  verily  swear  by  the greater:  and  an oath  for  confirmation  [is] to them  an end  of all  strife. 

What does Hebrews 6:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Hebrews 6:9-20 - "the Hope Set Before Us"
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

1  He exhorts not to fall back from the faith;
11  but to be steadfast,
12  diligent, and patient to wait upon God;
13  because God is most sure in his promise

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 6:16

In every dispute [πασης αντιλογιας]
Objective genitive of old word several times in Hebrews (Hebrews 6:16; Hebrews 7:7; Hebrews 12:3). Talking back, face to face, in opposition. Final Limit, boundary (Matthew 12:42). Men may perjure themselves. [source]
And an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife [καὶ πἁσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίασπέρας εἰς βεβαίων ὁ ὅρκος]
For “an oath,” rend. “the oath”: generic. Const. for confirmation with end. “The oath is final for confirmation.” Πέρας is the outermost point; the point beyond which one cannot go. With this exception always in N.T. in the plural, of the ends of the earth. See Matthew 12:42; Romans 10:18. So often in lxx. Ἀντιλογία, strictly contradiction, only in Hebrews and Judges 1:11, on which see note. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 6:16

Philippians 1:7 Confirmation [βεβαιώσει]
Only here and Hebrews 6:16. The kindred verb βεβαιόω toconfirm, occurs frequently, as Romans 15:8; 1 Corinthians 1:8, etc. [source]
Philippians 1:7 In the defence [εν τηι απολογιαι]
Old word (our word apology, but not our idea of apologizing), in the original sense in Acts 22:1; Acts 25:16. So also in Phlippians 1:16 below. Confirmation (βεβαιωσει — bebaiōsei). Old word from βεβαιοω — bebaioō (βεβαιοσ βαινω — bebaiosσυγκοινωνους μου της χαριτος — bainō), to make stable. In N.T. only here and Hebrews 6:16 about oath. Partakers with me of grace Literally, “my Corinthians-sharers in grace” (objective genitive). “Grace prompted them to alleviate his imprisonment, to cooperate with him in defending and propagating the gospel, and to suffer for its sake” (Vincent, Int. Crit. Comm.). [source]
Philippians 1:7 Confirmation [βεβαιωσει]
Old word from βεβαιοω — bebaioō (βεβαιοσ βαινω — bebaiosσυγκοινωνους μου της χαριτος — bainō), to make stable. In N.T. only here and Hebrews 6:16 about oath. [source]
Hebrews 12:3 For consider [ἀναλογίσασθε γὰρ]
Γὰρ forintroduces the reason for the exhortation to look unto Jesus. Look unto him, for a comparison with him will show you how much more he had to endure than you have. Ἁναλογίζεσθαι N.T.oComp. Hebrews href="/desk/?q=heb+6:16&sr=1">Hebrews 6:16, and comp. Hebrews 7:7. See on gainsaying, Judges 1:11. Of sinners, ὑπὸ byat the hands of. [source]
Hebrews 12:3 Consider [αναλογισαστε]
First aorist middle imperative of αναλογιζομαι — analogizomai old word to reckon up, to compare, to weigh, only here in the N.T. See κατανοησατε — katanoēsate in Hebrews 3:1. Understanding Jesus is the key to the whole problem, the cure for doubt and hesitation. Endured Perfect active participle of the same verb υπομενω — hupomenō used in Hebrews 12:2. Gainsaying Old word from αντιλογος — antilogos (from αντιλεγω — antilegō), already in Hebrews 6:16; Hebrews 7:7. Of sinners “By sinners.” Against themselves Against their better selves if a genuine reading. But εις εαυτον — eis heauton (against himself), against Christ, is far more likely correct. That ye wax not weary Negative final clause with ινα μη — hina mē and the second aorist active subjunctive of καμνω — kamnō old verb to be weary as here or sick as in James 5:15. Fainting in your souls Present passive participle of εκλυω — ekluō old verb to loosen out, to set free, and in passive to be enfeebled, to be tired out (here in soul with locative case), as in Hebrews 12:5. The rest of the Epistle drives home the argument. [source]
Hebrews 6:16 In every dispute [πασης αντιλογιας]
Objective genitive of old word several times in Hebrews (Hebrews 6:16; Hebrews 7:7; Hebrews 12:3). Talking back, face to face, in opposition. Final Limit, boundary (Matthew 12:42). Men may perjure themselves. [source]
Hebrews 7:7 Dispute [αντιλογιας]
Ablative case with χωρις — chōris For the word see Hebrews 6:16. The writer makes a parenthetical generalization and uses the article and neuter adjective (το ελασσον — to elasson the less, υπο του κρειττονος — hupo tou kreittonos by the better), a regular Greek idiom. [source]
Jude 1:11 Went [επορευτησαν]
First aorist passive (deponent) indicative of πορευομαι — poreuomai the way of Cain Locative case οδωι — hodōi Cain is Jude‘s fourth example. Not in 2 Peter, but in Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:11. From Genesis 4:7.Ran riotously (εχεχυτησαν — exechuthēsan). First aorist passive indicative of εκχεω — ekcheō to pour out, “they were poured out,” vigorous metaphor for excessive indulgence. But it is used also of God‘s love for us (Romans 5:5).In the error of Balaam The fifth example in Jude. In 2 Peter also (2 Peter 2:15). Either locative case (in) or instrumental (by). Πλανη — Planē (in Peter also) is the common word for such wandering (Matthew 24:4., etc.).Perished (απωλοντο — apōlonto). Second aorist middle (intransitive) of απολλυμι — apollumi the gainsaying of Korah (τηι αντιλογιαι του Κορε — tēi antilogiāi tou Kore). Again either locative or instrumental. The word αντιλογια — antilogia is originally answering back (Hebrews 6:16), but it may be by act also (Romans 10:21) as here. This is the sixth example in Jude, not in 2 Peter. [source]
Jude 1:11 In the error of Balaam [τηι πλανηι του αλααμ]
The fifth example in Jude. In 2 Peter also (2 Peter 2:15). Either locative case (in) or instrumental (by). Πλανη — Planē (in Peter also) is the common word for such wandering (Matthew 24:4., etc.).Perished (απωλοντο — apōlonto). Second aorist middle (intransitive) of απολλυμι — apollumi the gainsaying of Korah (τηι αντιλογιαι του Κορε — tēi antilogiāi tou Kore). Again either locative or instrumental. The word αντιλογια — antilogia is originally answering back (Hebrews 6:16), but it may be by act also (Romans 10:21) as here. This is the sixth example in Jude, not in 2 Peter. [source]
Jude 1:11 Perished [απωλοντο]
Second aorist middle (intransitive) of απολλυμι — apollumi the gainsaying of Korah Again either locative or instrumental. The word αντιλογια — antilogia is originally answering back (Hebrews 6:16), but it may be by act also (Romans 10:21) as here. This is the sixth example in Jude, not in 2 Peter. [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 6:16 mean?

Men for by [one] greater swear and of all their disputes an end for confirmation [is] the oath
Ἄνθρωποι γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὅρκος

Ἄνθρωποι  Men 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
τοῦ  [one] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μείζονος  greater 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Singular, Comparative
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
ὀμνύουσιν  swear 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ὄμνυμι 
Sense: to swear.
πάσης  of  all 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ἀντιλογίας  disputes 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀντιλογία  
Sense: gainsaying, contradiction.
πέρας  an  end 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: πέρας  
Sense: extremity, bound, end.
βεβαίωσιν  confirmation 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: βεβαίωσις  
Sense: confirmation.
  [is]  the 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὅρκος  oath 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅρκος  
Sense: that which has been pledged or promised with an oath.