Forerunner
HEBREWS 6:13-20
(I originally titled this blog “Confidence and Steadfastness.” There is nothing wrong with that title, for it aptly describes the intent of the author – and ultimately The Author – to encourage the congregation to press on in their faith. The more I got into my reading writing, however, the more I saw the word and all the word represents taking over my thoughts. So, “Forerunner.”)
THIS PASSAGE IS IN THE SAME CONTEXT AS THE RECENTLY-FINISHED 10-PART SERIES ON HEBREWS 6:4-8, WHICH IS REGARDED BY SCHOLARS AS ONE OF THE MOST PIVOTAL AND CHALLENGING PASSAGES IN THE ENTIRE BOOK. After having now completely exegeted the first six chapters and spending considerable time this week focusing on Hebrews 6:13:20, I am tempted to say that these verses do not at all pale in importance to any passage I’ve studied thus far.
EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME IN HEBREWS, HAVING PREACH THROUGH THE BOOK AT MY FORMER CHURCH AND TAUGHT THROUGH IN MY INTERMEDIATE GREEK CLASS AT SEMINARY, I WAS UNPREPARED FOR THE INTENSIFIED REALIZATION OF JUST HOW RICH AND REWARDING THIS PASSAGE IS.
NAS Hebrews 6:13-20 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply you.” 15 And thus, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. 16 For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. 17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 18 in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
“CONTEXT – VERSES 11-12 CONCLUDE WITH AN EXHORTATION TO BE DILIGENT SO THAT THE HOPE GIVEN TO BELIEVERS WILL BE REALIZED, SO THAT THEY WILL INHERIT GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE.” – Schreiner
IT MAY HELP YOU UNDERSTAND JUST HOW REMARKABLE THIS PASSAGE IS TO READ THROUGH THE BIBLE KNOWLEDGE COMMENTARY’S EXCELLENT EXEGETICAL COMMENTS. I have included them is this blog using them as a kind of frame for my blog. Immediately below is the first such entry…
“6:13–15. If the readers were searching for models to ‘imitate,’ there was the case of ABRAHAM who received an oath from God, the promise that assured the multiplication of his seed. In due time his patience was rewarded in that he (lit.) ‘received the.’ Since the reference is to the promise given in Genesis 22:17 after the offering of Isaac, the author may have been thinking of the reception of the promise itself as the reward. In that case the idea is that after Abraham had patiently endured (the test involving Isaac), he obtained the promise. Waiting patiently translates the participle makrothymēsas, related to the noun ‘PATIENCE,’ makrothymias in Hebrews 6:12. This word, common in the New Testament, refers to the ability to hold one’s feelings in restraint without retaliation against others (cf., e.g., Col. 1:11; 3:12; James 5:7–8, 10). A synonym, hypomonē, ‘ENDURANCE,’ perseverance, means the ability to remain steadfast in the face of undesirable circumstances; cf. Col. 1:11; Heb. 12:1–3, 7; James 5:11).
NAS Hebrews 12:1-3, 7 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
“VERSES 13-20 CONSIDER THE NATURE OF GOD’S PROMISE, THE NEED FOR PATIENCE TO OBTAIN THE PROMISE, AND THE HOPE THAT BELONGS TO BELIEVERS BY VIRTUE OF THE PROMISE.
“VERSES 13-14 CONTEMPLATE THE NATURE OF THE PROMISE. GOD’S PLEDGE TO BLESS ABRAHAM IS INVIOLABLE, FOR HE SWORE BY HIMSELF, AND THERE IS NO ONE GREATER TO SWARE BY.
“ABRAHAM RECEIVED THE PROMISE BY PATIENCE (V. 15). Abraham didn’t obtain the promise immediately. In fact, years passed before the promise became a reality, but Abraham patiently waited on and trusted in the promise.
“THE MAIN POINT OF THE SECTION IS FOUND IN VERSE 18. THE WRITER WANTS THE READERS TO BE ENCOURAGED SO THEY SEIZE THE HOPE SET BEFORE THEM, SO THEY WILL NOT MISS OUT ON THE PROMISE PLEDGED TO THEM.” – Schreiner
THE OATH THAT GOD SWORE TO ABRAHAM IS FOUND IN GENESIS 22:17…
“6:16–18. At this point Abraham is left behind as a model and the oath made to him is treated as for the benefit of Christians generally. That the promise of Genesis 22:18 had messianic aspects is clear from these words: “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.” Then the author of Hebrews affirmed that the messianic hope which the promise entailed was sure, not only to Abraham, but also to the Christian heirs of what was promised. As in human affairs an oath puts an end to all arguments, so too there can be no argument about this expectation since God confirmed it with an oath. If anyone, such as a sectarian, denied this eschatological anticipation, he was flying in the face of the strongest possible divine guarantee. Not only was it impossible for God to lie, but His ever truthful Word was supported in this case by His oath. These are the two unchangeable things, which encourage those who take hold of the hope. – Bible Knowledge Commentary
THE TWO UNCHANGEABLE THINGS ARE GOD’S WORD AND HIS OATH. Both are perfect and eternal and neither can be changed by circumstance.
“IN VERSES 16-18 THE AUTHOR REFLECTS FURTHER ON WHY GOD SEALED THE PROMISE WITH AN OATH. Among human beings oaths testify that someone greater and more trustworthy is invoked. Hence it confirms the truth of what is said and is intended to bring disputes about truthfulness to a conclusion. GOD, OF COURSE, DOESN’T NEED TO UNDERTAKE AN OATH TO DISPLAY HIS TRUTHFULNESS. THE OATH WAS FOR THE SAKE OF BELIEVERS, to certify unmistakably His unchangeable purpose. GOD, AFTER ALL, CANNOT LIE, but He underscored His truth to those inheriting the promise by making a promise and then swearing He would fulfill it. GOD’S PURPOSE IN DOING THIS THIS (V. 18) WAS TO GRANT ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE WHO WOULD HAVE TAKEN HOLD OF THE HOPE BEFORE THEM.” – Schreiner
THE NATURE OF THIS HOPE IS UNPACKED IN VERSES 19-20.
“6:19–20. The image suggested in verse 18 by the words ‘fled to take hold’ of hope was that of a fortified refuge. By a swift change in his figure, the writer then suggested the thought of a harbor where the soul may securely drop anchor. That anchor has been carried to the safest point of all—the inner sanctuary behind the curtain—by Jesus, who went before us. The Greek prodromos (‘who went before us’) suggests a ‘FORERUNNER,’ and if the harbor imagery is still in mind it recalls the role of sailors who leave their ship in a smaller craft in order to carry the anchor forward to a place where it can be firmly lodged. So too the Lord Jesus, by His entrance into the heavenly sanctuary where He functions as a High Priest forever, has given to a Christian’s hope an anchorage from which it cannot be shaken loose. Since, therefore, the readers’ hope was sure, they could cling to it tenaciously right to the very end.” – B. K. C.
“FORERUNNER” STRIKES ME AS A PARTICULARLY FASCINATING WORD. I trust it does you as well.
YOU MAY REMEMBER WE STUDIED A SIMILAR FASCINATING WORD – PERHAPS EVEN MORE SO – BACK IN CHAPTER 2 IN A BLOG ENTITLED “JESUS OUR CHAMPION.” Note the differing renderings of this word in our English translations…
NAS Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
ESV Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
NET Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
NKJ Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
DBY Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make perfect the leader of their salvation through sufferings.
NLT Hebrews 2:10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.
ALL THESE DIFFERENT TRANSLATIONS ARE ETYMOLOGICALLY ACCURATE AND COME FROM THE SAME GREEK WORD
THE GREEK WORD FROM WHICH WE GET THE CONNOTATIONS IS ἀρχηγός (ar-kay-gos), which BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Ardnt, and Gingrich), probably presently the world’s foremost biblical Greek Lexicon, defines as…
- 1. one who has a preeminent position, leader, ruler, prince: Ac 5:31; 3:15, where meaning 3 is also possible.
NAS Acts 5:31 “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
NAS Acts 3:15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.
- 2. one who begins something that is first in a series, thereby providing impetus for further developments: in bad sense (not in Scripture)
- 3. one who begins or originates, hence the recipient of special esteem in the Gr-Rom. world, originator, founder: Hb 2:10; 12:2.
NAS Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NKJ Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
ESV Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
NET Hebrews 12:2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
NIV Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
KJV Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
DBY Hebrews 12:2 looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured the cross, having despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NLT Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
CERTAINLY, WE CAN ALL AGREE, I THINK, ἀρχηγός (ar-kay-gos), HOWEVER IT IS TRANSLATED, IS A CAPTIVATING WORD, and certainly we can see Jesus exalted with any of these connotations. The challenge for the Bible student is to ascertain as closely as possible which nuance of the Greek word the writer of Hebrews favored in this passage.
CHRIST IS THUS “THE CHAMPION OF THEIR SALVATION” (2:10). A military leader, wounded in the battle, might nevertheless lead his troops home, triumphant in victory. So, suggests the writer, Christ leads the sons of God to glory. More than that, his sufferings were necessary and sufficient means of victory and deliverance. IT IS IN THIS SENSE THAT THE FATHER MADE HIM “PERFECT (I.E., COMPLETE) THROUGH SUFFERINGS.”
IN V. 20 OF HEBREWS 6 JESUS AS OUR FORERUNNER ENTERED INTO HEAVEN IN BEHALF OF US. “Jesus’ entering ‘within the veil’ signifies His entering the Holy of Holies, where the sacrifice of atonement was made. UNDER THE OLD COVENANT IT WAS MADE YEARLY BY THE HIGH PRIEST. UNDER THE NEW COVENANT IT HAS BEEN MADE ONCE FOR ALL TIME BY CHRIST’S SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS. Our anchored soul is, in God’s mind, already secure within the veil, secure within His eternal sanctuary. When Jesus entered the heavenly Holy of Holies, He did not leave after the sacrifice as did the Aaronic high priests, but…
NAS Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;
THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE AT THIS ALMOST-MIDWAY POINT OF MY STUDY, NAMELY, THAT THE NEW COVENANT IS NOW IN EFFECT. THE NEW COVENANT IS NOT ONLY FOR BELIEVERS FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY. THE NEW COVENANT BEGAN AT THE CROSS.
“IN OTHER WORDS, JESUS REMAINS THERE FOREVER AS GUARDIAN OF OUR SOULS.” – MacArthur
IN V. 19 JESUS IS CALLED THE “ANCHOR” OF OUR SOULS…
NAS Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,
“SUCH ABSOLUTE SECURITY IS ALMOST INCOMPREHENSIBLE. Not only are our souls anchored within the impregnable, inviolate heavenly sanctuary, but our Savior, Jesus Christ, stands guard over them as well! HOW CAN THE CHRISTIAN’S SECURITY BE DESCRIBED AS ANYTHING BUT ETERNAL? Truly we can trust God and His Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, with our souls. That is good cause to come all the way to salvation and to enjoy its security.” – MacArthur
READERS WILL NO DOUBT AGAIN NOTICE THE PROMINENT MENTION OF THE EXALTED AND ENIGMATIC FIGURE MELCHIZEDEK…
ESV Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
NAS Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, “Thou art a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
NAS Hebrews 5:1-10 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2 he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. 4 And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee”; 6 just as He says also in another passage, “Thou art a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” 7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. \
YOU ARE ALSO INVITED TO READ MY RECENT BLOG ENTITLED “MELCHIZEDEK.”
THERE IS MUCH TO LEARN ABOUT THE BOOK OF HEBREWS BY PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT FIGURE OF MELCHIZEDEK, AS CHAPTER 7 WILL REVEAL.
“BELIEVERS HAVE NO WARRANT TO OBTAIN ACCESS TO GOD’S PRESENCE. SUCH ACCESS IS GIVEN TO THEM BECAUSE JESUS IS THEIR MELCHIZEDEKIAN HIGH PRIEST. And as high priest He entered God’s presence, offering His own blood to secure access to God for believers. The hope of believers is anchored in the work of Jesus as high priest. Their hope is secure, for Jesus as the Melchizedekian priest has atoned for their sins so that they can enter God’s presence joyfully and boldly. He is their ‘FORERUNNER’ or ‘precursor.’ We think of the claim made elsewhere that Jesus is the pioneer of salvation (2:10; 12:2) {see Champion above – TAR}. The hope of believers, then, depends on the atoning work on the cross. THE AUTHOR DOESN’T CALL ON UPON THE READERS TO LOOK TO THEMSELVES AND TO THEIR RESOURCES BUT TO THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST” – Schreiner
“AS A FORERUNNER CHRIST DIFFERS FROM ALL OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE, WHO WERE REPRESENTATIVES OF MEN BUT NOTHING MORE.
“TO CALL HIM A FORERUNNER (πρόδρομος [pro-dro-mos]) DENOTES THE BELIEVER’S PROSPECT OF EVENTUALLY BEING WHERE CHRIST NOW IS. He is already in the actual presence of God, now just in some earthly counterpart. Thus He differs from all Levitical priests, and this explains why HIS PRIESTHOOD IS AFTER A DIFFERENT ORDER, THAT OF MELCHIZEDEK.
“IT ALSO EXPLAINS WHY HE CAN BE A PRIEST FOREVER, for He is in the ultimate reality, not in the passing earthly setting,
“WITH THE MENTION OF THE PRIESTLY ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK, THE AUTHOR HAS COME BACK TO THE POINT WHERE HE INTERRUPTED HIS DISCUSSION TO BEGIN THE WARNING (5:10) {COVERED IN THE 10-PART SERIES MENTIONED ABOVE – TAR).
“HOPING TO HAVE COUNTERACTED THEIR PROBLEM OF SLUGGISH HEARING (5:11) BY THE PREVIOUS ENCOURAGEMENTS, HE NOW IS READY TO RESUME THE MAIN DISCUSSION.” – Kent
NAS Hebrews 5:11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
– Professor Thomas A. Rohm
