Hebrews 6 9

Hebrews 6:9 kjv

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Hebrews 6:9 nkjv

But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.

Hebrews 6:9 niv

Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case?the things that have to do with salvation.

Hebrews 6:9 esv

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things ? things that belong to salvation.

Hebrews 6:9 nlt

Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don't believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.

Hebrews 6 verses

Hebrews 6 9 Meaning

Hebrews 6:9 marks a significant shift in tone from the stern warning against apostasy (Heb 6:4-8) to an expression of pastoral confidence and affirmation regarding the spiritual state of the audience. The author assures his readers that, despite the severe caution, he believes "better things" characterize them—specifically, evidences inherently linked to genuine salvation. This implies that their spiritual journey reflects a true saving faith, contrasting them with those who might "fall away."

Hebrews 6 9 Context

Hebrews chapter 6 begins by urging the readers to move beyond elementary Christian teachings towards maturity. The central warning in verses 4-8 describes a fearful condition: people who have received spiritual benefits (illumination, tasting the heavenly gift, etc.) but then deliberately turn away from Christ, making renewal to repentance impossible for them. This grave warning underscores the danger of apostasy. However, verse 9 abruptly pivots. The author clarifies that, despite this harsh language, he holds a different, hopeful assessment of his immediate audience. He believes they are genuinely converted, exhibiting "better things," which are tangible indicators of their salvation. This transition serves to both instruct without condemning and to offer assurance to those whose faith is true, thus encouraging perseverance rather than causing despair. The broader context of Hebrews emphasizes Christ's superiority and calls believers to faithfulness amidst pressures to abandon their confession, making genuine perseverance a crucial theme.

Hebrews 6 9 Word analysis

• "But" (Δέ - De): A strong adversative conjunction indicating a distinct shift. It signals a turning point in the author's argument, moving from a stern warning to a declaration of confidence and reassurance.
• "beloved" (ἀγαπητοί - agapetoi): A deeply affectionate term, frequently used by apostles (e.g., Paul, John, Peter) to address fellow believers. Its use here reinforces the author's pastoral heart and genuine love for his readers, signaling that the preceding harsh words were not an indictment against them but a necessary warning for all to heed. It underscores that they are viewed as true brethren in Christ.
• "we are confident" (πεπείσμεθα - pepeismetha): Derived from the verb peitho, meaning "to persuade." The perfect tense passive indicates an abiding state of conviction, a settled and firm persuasion. It's not a mere hope or wish, but a strong, reasoned belief based on observable reality, likely their actions detailed in verse 10. This confidence is personal and collective ("we").
• "of better things" (περὶ κρειττόνων - peri kreittonon): The Greek term kreittona (from kreitton) means "superior," "excellent," or "better." This is a recurring thematic word throughout Hebrews, always referring to the superiority of the new covenant and Christ's ministry over the old (e.g., better hope, better covenant, better sacrifice). Here, "better things" refers to spiritual realities superior to a merely superficial experience; these are things associated with genuine, enduring salvation, rather than a temporary or shallow encounter. It signifies their actual spiritual state is sound.
• "concerning you" (ὑμῶν - hymon): This directly addresses the specific audience, differentiating them from the hypothetical apostates described previously. It specifies that the author's confidence is directly focused on their spiritual condition.
• "yes, things that accompany salvation" (καὶ ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας - kai echomena sotērias): This phrase clarifies what "better things" refers to. Echomena (from echomai) means "to hold," "to cling to," "to be joined to." Thus, these are not just arbitrary things, but "things holding close to salvation" or "things inextricably linked to salvation." These are the tangible, observable characteristics and fruits of genuine conversion and faith—such as love, perseverance, and good works (as Heb 6:10 explicitly states). They are not the cause of salvation but its undeniable evidence.
• "though we speak in this manner" (εἰ καὶ λαλοῦμεν οὕτως - ei kai laloumen houtōs): The phrase ei kai introduces a concession: "even though," or "although." Laloumen (from laleo, "to speak") is in the present tense, reflecting their ongoing or recent stern admonition. This clause explicitly ties back to the previous warning (Heb 6:4-8). It means: "Even though we just issued such a grave warning about apostasy, know that we are still confident regarding your true spiritual state." It’s an assurance that the warning was instructional, not an accusation or an indication that the author doubted their salvation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But, beloved, we are confident": This is the turning point of the passage. The initial "But" sets a clear contrast, pivoting away from the severe warning. "Beloved" softens the tone, emphasizing pastoral affection and confirming the author's enduring care. "We are confident" expresses the author's strong, personal, and abiding assurance regarding his readers, demonstrating his belief in their genuine faith despite the harsh preceding words.
• "of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation": This phrase precisely defines the nature of the author's confidence. The "better things" are immediately clarified as the fruits, evidences, or characteristics that are inextricably linked with and flow from genuine salvation. This confirms that the author is observing qualities in them that testify to a real, not superficial, work of God's grace in their lives. These "things" stand in contrast to the unproductive spiritual state of the apostates described earlier.
• "though we speak in this manner": This is a crucial qualifying statement that contextualizes the severe warning. It implies that the purpose of the preceding difficult words was not to accuse the readers of falling away, but to instruct, exhort, and provide a strong cautionary example to encourage their perseverance. It assures them that the author distinguishes between the true nature of their faith and the perilous condition described previously.

Hebrews 6 9 Bonus section

The tension between the warning passages (like Heb 6:4-8) and passages of assurance (like Heb 6:9 and 10:39) is a characteristic feature of the Epistle to the Hebrews. This is often understood not as a contradiction, but as a pastoral strategy: strong warnings serve to prevent presumption and stimulate diligence (provocative warnings), while affirmations of assurance provide encouragement to those whose faith is real (pastoral affirmation). The author does not believe his audience will apostatize but warns them of the terrible consequences if they could. His confidence stems from discerning that their lives manifest the "better things," proving that the "good work" in them is indeed continuing towards completion (Phil 1:6). These "things that accompany salvation" are not the basis upon which one earns salvation, but rather the unavoidable outcomes and proofs of a living, saving faith. The Holy Spirit indwells and transforms true believers, inevitably leading to these "accompanying" evidences.

Hebrews 6 9 Commentary

Hebrews 6:9 serves as a crucial pastoral pivot within a complex and weighty chapter. After laying out a terrifying warning concerning the danger of apostasy and the impossibility of renewal for those who fully reject Christ after genuine exposure to truth, the author suddenly shifts to an affirmation of hope and assurance for his readers. He employs the endearing term "beloved," emphasizing his affection and trust in their spiritual standing.

His "confidence" is not a mere wishful thought, but a firm conviction. This conviction is rooted in observing "better things" in them—concrete evidences that "accompany salvation." While verse 9 states this confidently, verse 10 will elaborate, specifically citing their "work and love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and still do minister." These actions are presented as a confirmation of their genuine faith, distinguishing them from those who fall away. True saving faith is always active and fruitful; it cannot exist in isolation without manifesting "things that accompany salvation." This verse teaches that while the dangers of apostasy are real and must be warned against, true believers possess a perseverance and produce evidences of faith that God recognizes and will uphold. The warning was universal truth; the affirmation is personal encouragement for those manifesting the fruit of perseverance.