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God’s Unchangeable Promise
Hebrews 6:13–20 explains why God’s promise gives strong encouragement. The writer points to God’s promise to Abraham, then shows how God’s promise, oath, hope and Jesus belong together in a steady and reliable message.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Hebrews is written as teaching. In these verses, the writer refers to God’s promise to Abraham, explains how oaths confirm a matter, and then applies that idea to the heirs of the promise. The passage moves from Abraham to hope, then to Jesus as high priest.
Hebrews 6:13–20Main takeaway
Because God’s promise and oath are unchangeable, we who have fled for refuge may take hold of the hope set before us in Jesus.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01God swore by himselfThe passage begins with God making a promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater by whom God could swear, he swore by himself.
Explanation
The passage begins with God making a promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater by whom God could swear, he swore by himself. The quoted promise speaks of blessing and multiplying. The focus is on God’s own authority and the certainty of what he said.
02Abraham patiently enduredAbraham is described as patiently enduring before obtaining the promise. The writer does not add extra details here, but uses Abraham to show that the promise was truly obtained.
Explanation
Abraham is described as patiently enduring before obtaining the promise. The writer does not add extra details here, but uses Abraham to show that the promise was truly obtained. In this passage, patient endurance stands alongside God’s reliable word and points to the fulfilment of what was promised.
03God added an oath to show certaintyThe writer explains that people swear by someone greater, and such an oath confirms a matter.
Explanation
The writer explains that people swear by someone greater, and such an oath confirms a matter. Then the writer applies this to God. God wanted the heirs of the promise to see clearly the unchangeable nature of his purpose, so he interposed with an oath.
04Two unchangeable things give strong encouragementThe result is strong encouragement for those who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us.
Explanation
The result is strong encouragement for those who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us. The passage says these are two immutable things, and it is impossible for God to lie. The stress is on God’s truthfulness and the security of the hope he sets before us.
05Hope is an anchor, and Jesus entered for usHope is described as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast. This hope enters within the veil.
Explanation
Hope is described as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast. This hope enters within the veil. Jesus entered for us as a forerunner, and the passage names him as a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Our hope is therefore connected with where Jesus has entered and who he is.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does this passage say God did to show the unchangeable nature of his purpose?
Look for the verse that explains why God added an oath and what he wanted the heirs of the promise to understand.
02How is hope described in Hebrews 6:19, and what does that picture suggest about its stability?
Notice the exact image the writer uses and the words attached to it, such as sure and steadfast.
03According to Hebrews 6:19–20, where does this hope enter, and what does Hebrews 6:20 say Jesus became there for us?
Use Hebrews 6:19 for the location and Hebrews 6:20 for Jesus’ action and title.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Hebrews 6:13–20
13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,
14saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”
15Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.
17In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath,
18that 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 take hold of the hope set before us.
19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil,
20where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.