Compare 1 Cor. 15:50 klhronomei' ; and contrast the perfect, Heb. 1:4; and the aorist, Heb. 12:17.
For the image comp. 1:4, 14; 9:15 and Additional Note. There is an evident distinction between oiJ klhronomou'nte" ( ta;" ejpaggeliva" ) and oiJ klhronovmoi ( th'" ejpaggeliva" 6:17). The first phrase marks the direct realisation of the blessings of heirship, and the second simply the position.
The plural ( aiJ ejpaggelivai ) represents the various promises made in old time in many parts (1:1). Compare 7:6; 11:13; Rom. 9:4; 15:8; Gal. 3:16. Clem. 1 Cor. 10 jAbraavm... ejxh'lqen ... o{pw" ... klhronomhvsh/ ta;" ejpaggeliva" tou' qeou' . Ps. Sol. 12:8 o{sioi Kurivou klhronomhvsaien ejpaggeliva" Kurivou , and Ryle and James ad loc.
These many promises are gathered up in the one promise of that salvation which Christ wrought and which awaits its complete accomplishment: Heb. 6:17; 9:15; 10:36; 11:39.
(4)
The certainty of the divine promises
(Hebrews 6:13-20)
The reference to the divine promises in 6:12 suggests the consideration that long-suffering (patience is necessary and reasonable. Though their fulfilment may be delayed it is certain. This certainty of fulfilment after long waiting is illustrated by ( a ) the fundamental promise to Abraham, which by its very formpointing to a distant futureimplied the exercise of patience (6:13-15). And ( b ) this promise partially, typically, yet not exhaustively fulfilled, has been handed down to us, doubly confirmed, so that we cannot doubt as to its uttermost accomplishment (6:16-18); ( c ) an accomplishment which is presented to us in the exaltation of the Son, Whom hope can follow now within the veil (6:19, 20).
13 For when God had made promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He sware by Himself, saying ,
14 Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men swear by the greater, and the oath is an end of all gainsaying in their case for confirmation. 17 Wherein God being minded to shew more abundantly to the heirs of salvation the immutability of His counsel interposed by an oath ,
18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, who fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
19 Which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering within the veil; 20 whither, as forerunner, Jesus entered on our behalf, having become, after the order of Melchizedek, a High-priest for ever.
( a ) The promise to Abraham (6:13-15). 6:13-15. The example of Abraham establishes two things, the certainty of the hope which rests on a promise of God, and the need of patience in order to receive its fulfilment. God promised with an oath: Abraham endured to wait and that not in vain. He is thus a perfect representative of all who through faith and long-suffering inherit the promises.
By fixing the attention of his readers on the promise to Abraham the writer carries their thoughts beyond the Law. The Law appears as a stage