Hebrews 6:1
What does Hebrews 6:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 6:1 means
The writer urges believers to move beyond the spiritual basics and grow into maturity. “Leaving” the first principles does not mean abandoning them, but building on them as a completed foundation. The goal is “perfection,” that is, settled maturity in Christ. The foundation includes repentance from “dead works”—acts that cannot give life or commend us to God—and faith toward God as the heart of true religion. The call is forward-looking: Christians must not endlessly re-lay the groundwork but press on to fuller understanding, obedience, and endurance, confident that Christ provides what is needed for adult steadiness in the faith rather than perpetual infancy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this reason let us go on from the first things about Christ to full growth; not building again that on which it is based, that is, the turning of the heart from dead works, and faith in God,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Wherefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Christ, unto the perfection we may advance, not again a foundation laying of reformation from dead works, and of faith on God,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect: not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works and of faith towards God,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us go on [to what belongs] to full growth, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith inGod,
Context
After warning about spiritual dullness, the author now calls his readers to advance. Verse 1 sets the tone for the chapter: progress, not stagnation. He names the elementary foundation to be assumed and surpassed, then in verse 2 lists several core teachings that, though essential, are not the end. Verse 3 acknowledges dependence on God for this progress. The charge to pursue maturity prepares the way for the sober warning about falling away in verses 4–8 and the strong encouragement that follows in verses 9–20.
v.1This passage
v.2of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 18:30
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord Jehovah. Return ye, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
- 1 Timothy 6:19
laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.
- 1 Peter 1:21
who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
- 1 John 4:12
No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us:
- 2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
- Acts 11:18
And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
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