Hebrews 6:1
Therefore 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,
Original Language Analysis
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχῆς
the principles
G746
ἀρχῆς
the principles
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
5 of 24
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
of the doctrine
G3056
λόγον
of the doctrine
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
8 of 24
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ἐπὶ
toward
G1909
ἐπὶ
toward
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τελειότητα
perfection
G5047
τελειότητα
perfection
Strong's:
G5047
Word #:
11 of 24
(the state) completeness (mentally or morally)
φερώμεθα
let us go on
G5342
φερώμεθα
let us go on
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
12 of 24
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
13 of 24
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
14 of 24
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
θεμέλιον
the foundation
G2310
θεμέλιον
the foundation
Strong's:
G2310
Word #:
15 of 24
something put down, i.e., a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively)
μετανοίας
of repentance
G3341
μετανοίας
of repentance
Strong's:
G3341
Word #:
17 of 24
(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
18 of 24
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἔργων
works
G2041
ἔργων
works
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
20 of 24
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πίστεως
of faith
G4102
πίστεως
of faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
22 of 24
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
Cross References
Hebrews 9:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?2 Corinthians 7:1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.Hebrews 12:13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.Matthew 21:32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.Hebrews 7:11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?Ephesians 4:12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:Matthew 3:2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.John 12:44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Historical Context
These basics likely formed the core of early Christian catechesis. The author assumes readers have been taught these fundamentals and should now advance to deeper understanding of Christ's priesthood and the New Covenant.
Questions for Reflection
- How do repentance and faith continue throughout the Christian life, not just at conversion?
- What 'dead works' might you still rely on instead of resting in Christ's finished work?
Analysis & Commentary
The call to 'go on to maturity' (Greek 'phero epi tēn teleiotēta') doesn't mean abandoning basics but building on them. The foundation includes 'repentance from dead works' (works that don't produce life) and 'faith toward God' - the two fundamental responses to the gospel. Reformed theology sees these as inseparable: true repentance flows from faith, and true faith produces repentance. These aren't earning merit but responding to grace.