Heb 6:1-3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Heb 6:1-3: 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14 ), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings . The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25 . 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13 ) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the new covenant and constitute the basic posture of a Christian’s life (see Acts 20:21 ).

Summary for Heb 6:1-3: 6:1-3 ^a In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14 ^b), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25 ^c. 6:1 ^d Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13 ^e) and that it is an ongoing process.

• Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the new covenant and constitute the basic posture of a Christian’s life (see Acts 20:21 ^f).
6:2 ^g The term baptisms (or washings) is plural, so it must mean more than just Christian baptism. Instruction about various washings was prevalent in first-century Judaism (see Matt 15:2 ^h; Mark 7:3 ⁱ). The author might also have in mind the cleansing rituals of the Old Testament (cp. Heb 9:13 ^j; 10:22 ^k).

• The laying on of hands was associated with healing (Mark 5:22-23 ^l; Luke 13:13 ^m), ritual blessing (Matt 19:13 ⁿ, 15 ^o), reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17 ^p; 9:17 ^q; 19:6 ^r), and acknowledgement of a person’s ministry (Acts 6:6 ^s; 13:3 ^t).

• resurrection of the dead: See thematic note for The Resurrection of the Dead at end of chapter.

• eternal judgment: See Rev 20:11-15 ^u.
6:3 ^v The author is implicitly exhorting his readers to maturity, not only in their understanding but in everything (cp. 4:11 ^w; 5:14 ^x; 10:23-39 ^y; 12:1-13 ^z).