Devine Scripture

Hebrews 6:18

What does Hebrews 6:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 6:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 6:18 means

Here the “two immutable things” are in view: God’s promise and God’s oath. In both, “it is impossible for God to lie.” On that bedrock, believers “who have fled for refuge” find “strong encouragement” to seize the hope set before them. The language evokes desperate sinners running to the only safe place and grasping the hope God provides. Assurance rests not in our grip but in the truthfulness of the One who pledged himself to us. The refuge is sure because it is guaranteed by God’s character, and hope is not wishful thinking but a divinely secured reality offered to be laid hold of.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that we, who have gone in flight from danger to the hope which has been put before us, may have a strong comfort in two unchanging things, in which it is not possible for God to be false;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that through two immutable things, in which <FI>it is<Fi> impossible for God to lie, a strong comfort we may have who did flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before <FI>us<Fi> ,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That by two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, we who have fled for refuge to hold fast the hope set before us.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that by two unchangeable things, in which [it was] impossible thatGod should lie, we might have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us,

Context

This verse sums up the purpose of God’s oath: to give strong encouragement to the heirs of promise. It prepares directly for the anchor metaphor in verse 19, tying hope to God’s unlying nature. The flow then moves to the climactic assurance in verse 20: Jesus has already entered within the veil as our forerunner and eternal high priest. Thus, the chapter’s warnings are balanced by a massive foundation for hope grounded in God’s character and Christ’s priestly work.

v.17Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath;

v.18This passage

v.19which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 3:7

    But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

  • Matthew 24:35

    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

  • Psalms 110:4

    Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

  • Romans 15:5

    Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:16

    Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

  • 2 Corinthians 5:18

    But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;

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