HEB 6:1 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT So then, having left the message of the beginning of Christ, let us go forward to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith in God,

UST Therefore, we need to learn more so that we become mature. We should not continue to focus on only the most basic things about the Messiah. In other words, we do not need to learn again about how to stop doing useless things or about how to trust in God.

BLB Therefore, having left the beginning teaching of the Christ, we should go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and faith in God,

AICNT Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

OEB Therefore, let us leave behind the elementary teaching about the Christ and press on to perfection, not always laying over again a foundation of repentance for a lifeless formality, of faith in God –

WEBBE Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let’s press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith towards God,

WMBB Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Messiah, let’s press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith towards God,

NET Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God,

LSV For this reason, having left the word of the beginning of the Christ, we may advance to perfection, not laying again a foundation of conversion from dead works, and of faith on God,

FBV So let's not get stuck on the basic teachings about Christ, but let's progress to a more mature understanding. We don't need to go over again the ideas of repenting from what we used to do, about trusting in God—

TCNT Therefore, let us leave behind the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith in God,

T4T So, we (inc) must not keep discussing the elementary principles about Christ. Instead, we must proceed to the teaching that will make us spiritually mature [MTY]. We must not be people who always need someone to teach them the elementary truths about Christ that are like [MET] a foundation. I am referring to the teaching that people who do sinful things must turn away from their sinful behavior, things that those who are spiritually [MET] dead do. I am referring to the teaching that people must believe in God.

LEB Therefore, leaving behind the elementary message about Christ, let us move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God,

BBE For this reason let us go on from the first things about Christ to full growth; not building again that on which it is based, that is, the turning of the heart from dead works, and faith in God,

Moff Let us pass on then to what is mature, leaving elementary Christian doctrine behind, instead of laying the foundation over again with repentance from dead works, with faith in God,

Wymth Therefore leaving elementary instruction about the Christ, let us advance to mature manhood and not be continually re-laying a foundation of repentance from lifeless works and of faith in God,

ASV Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

DRA Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect, not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works, and of faith towards God,

YLT Wherefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Christ, unto the perfection we may advance, not again a foundation laying of reformation from dead works, and of faith on God,

Drby Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us go on [to what belongs] to full growth, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in [fn]God,

6.1 Elohim

RV Wherefore let us cease to speak of the first principles of Christ, and press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

SLT Therefore having left the word of the beginning of Christ, we should go on to perfection; not again laying down the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Wbstr Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God,

KJB-1769 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

KJB-1611 ¶ Therefore leauing the [fn]principles of the doctrine of Christ, let vs goe on vnto perfection, not laying againe the foundation of repentance from dead workes, and of faith towards God,
(¶ Therefore leauing the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God,)

6:1 Or, the word of the beginning of Christ.

Bshps Therefore leauyng the doctrine of the begynnyng of Christe, let vs go foorth vnto perfection, not laying agayne the foundatio of repentaunce from dead workes, and of fayth towarde God,
(Therefore leauing the doctrine of the beginning of Christ, let us go forth unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,)

Gnva Therefore, leauing the doctrine of the beginning of Christ, let vs be led forward vnto perfection, not laying againe ye foundation of repetance from dead workes, and of faith toward God,
(Therefore, leauing the doctrine of the beginning of Christ, let us be led forward unto perfection, not laying again ye/you_all foundation of repetance from dead works, and of faith toward God, )

Cvdl Wherfore let vs leaue the doctryne pertaynynge to the begynnynge of a Christen life, and let vs go vnto perfeccion: and now nomore laye ye foundacion of repetaunce from deed workes, and of faith towarde God,
(Wherefore let us leave the doctrine pertayning to the beginning of a Christn life, and let us go unto perfeccion: and now no more lay ye/you_all foundation of repetaunce from deed works, and of faith toward God,)

TNT Wherfore let vs leave the doctryne pertayninge to the beginninge of a Christen man and let vs go vnto perfeccion and now no more laye the foundacion of repentaunce from deed workes and of fayth towarde God
(Wherefore let us leave the doctrine pertaining to the beginning of a Christn man and let us go unto perfeccion and now no more lay the foundation of repentance from deed works and of faith toward God )

Wycl Therfor we bringinge in a word of the bigynnyng of Crist, be we borun to the perfeccioun of hym, not eftsoone leggynge the foundement of penaunce fro deed werkis, and of the feith to God, and of teching of baptimys,
(Therefore we bringinge in a word of the beginning of Christ, be we born to the perfeccioun of him, not soon_afterward legging the foundation of penance from deed works, and of the faith to God, and of teaching of baptimys,)

Luth Darum wollen wir die Lehre vom Anfang christliches Lebens jetzt lassen und zur Vollkommenheit fahren, nicht abermal Grund legen von Buße der toten Werke, vom Glauben an GOtt,
(Therefore want we/us the teaching from_the beginning christliches life now/currently let and to/for Vollkommenheit drive/ride/run, not again Grund place from repentance the/of_the kill work, from_the faith at/to God,)

ClVg Quapropter intermittentes inchoationis Christi sermonem, ad perfectiora feramur, non rursum jacientes fundamentum pœnitentiæ ab operibus mortuis, et fidei ad Deum,[fn]
(Quapropter intermittentes inchoationis of_Christ conversation, to perfectiora feramur, not/no again lying_down foundation of_repentance away works dead, and of_faith to God, )

6.1 Quapropter. Duriter eis increpatis et culpatis, eo quod velint semper eadem ipsa discere, iterum blanditur illis se eis connumerando, hortans eos ad perfectionem. Inchoationis Christi sermonem, quo rudes sunt catechizandi, ut est Symbolum fidei et Dominica oratio. Non rursus, id est non olim, ut sicut prius ceciderunt, iterum cadant. Vel, non rursus jacientes, ita modo jaciamus, ut amplius jacere non sit opus. Fundamentum. Quod prius dixit sermonem inchoationis, hic appellat fundamentum, eo quod ad Christianam religionem venientibus prius proponitur, ut super hoc, quod perfectionis est ædificetur. Hoc fundamentum dividitur in sex, quæ sunt: inchoatio seu pœnitentia, fides, baptismatum doctrina, impositio manuum, resurrectio, atque judicium. Quicunque aliquos ad fidem convertit, prius facit pœnitere, in Deum credere, baptizari in remissionem, confirmari per impositionem, resurrectionem et diem judicii præstolari.

6.1 Quapropter. Duriter to_them increpatis and guilttis, by_him that velint always the_same herself discere, again blanditur to_them himself to_them connumerando, hortans them to perfection. Inchoationis of_Christ conversation, where rude are catechizandi, as it_is Symbolum of_faith and Masterca speech. Not/No again, that it_is not/no formerly/once, as like first/before they_fell, again let_them_fall. Or, not/no again lying_down, so/thus just/only yaciamus, as more yacere not/no be opus. Fundamentum. That first/before he/she_said conversation inchoationis, this/here appeals foundation, by_him that to Christianam religionem coming first/before proponitur, as over hoc, that perfection it_is ædificetur. This foundation is_divided in/into/on sex, which are: inchoatio seu repentance, faith, baptismtum teaching/instruction, impositio hands, resurrection, and_yet judgement. Whoever somewheres to faith he_turned, first/before he_does repent, in/into/on God to_believe, baptizari in/into/on remission, confirmari through imposition, resurrection and day judgement to_prepare.

UGNT διὸ ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον, ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα; μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, καὶ πίστεως ἐπὶ Θεόν,
(dio afentes ton taʸs arⱪaʸs tou Ⱪristou logon, epi taʸn teleiotaʸta ferōmetha; maʸ palin themelion kataballomenoi metanoias apo nekrōn ergōn, kai pisteōs epi Theon,)

SBL-GNT Διὸ ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα, μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, καὶ πίστεως ἐπὶ θεόν,
(Dio afentes ton taʸs arⱪaʸs tou Ⱪristou logon epi taʸn teleiotaʸta ferōmetha, maʸ palin themelion kataballomenoi metanoias apo nekrōn ergōn, kai pisteōs epi theon,)

RP-GNT Διό, ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ χριστοῦ λόγον, ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα, μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, καὶ πίστεως ἐπὶ θεόν,
(Dio, afentes ton taʸs arⱪaʸs tou ⱪristou logon, epi taʸn teleiotaʸta ferōmetha, maʸ palin themelion kataballomenoi metanoias apo nekrōn ergōn, kai pisteōs epi theon,)

TC-GNT Διό, ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον, ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα, μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, καὶ πίστεως ἐπὶ Θεόν,
(Dio, afentes ton taʸs arⱪaʸs tou Ⱪristou logon, epi taʸn teleiotaʸta ferōmetha, maʸ palin themelion kataballomenoi metanoias apo nekrōn ergōn, kai pisteōs epi Theon, )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:11–6:12: Grow up in your faith, and do not give up

In Section 5:11–6:12 the author interrupted his teaching about God appointing Christ as the high priest in order to tell his listeners to mature in their faith and to warn them not to stop believing in Christ. After this warning (6:4–12), he will continue to teach them in 6:13–7:28 about the priesthood of Jesus and Melchizedek.

Remember to translate the section before choosing a heading for it. Some other possible headings are:

Warning about abandoning Christ

Do not be lazy but become mature followers of Christ

6:1a–b

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity: Here the BSB follows the order of phrases in the Greek text. Some translations use a different order of phrases. For example:

Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ (NRSV)

Choose the order that is most natural in your language.

let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity: Here the author told his listeners to stop repeating only the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to become mature. The phrase let us leave indicates that we must advance from basic teachings to learn what mature believers need to know. The phrase is not a request for permission.

Some other ways to translate this exhortation in 6:1a are:

in our study of Christ it is necessary that we become mature by learning more complex matters. Let’s not continue studying only the basic teaching.

we should stop repeating only the easiest teachings concerning Christ. Now we should learn the deeper teachings so that our faith will become mature.

6:1a

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ

¶ So, let us leave behind the first/simple lessons which people taught us^(incl) about Christ
¶ Because of this, we^(incl) must progress beyond the most basic things that we^(incl) learned about Christ

Therefore: The conjunction Therefore introduces an exhortation based on what the author told his hearers in 5:11–14. He said that they need to stop listening only to simple teaching and listen to teaching that is for mature believers. He assumes that they will now listen to the more advanced teaching about Jesus being our high priest.

Some other ways to translate Therefore here are:

So (NLT)

Because of this/that

Now therefore

With this in mind (GW)

The word Therefore occurs often in Hebrews. It occurred already in 3:7 and 3:10. However, many versions translate it differently in these verses. You will need to think carefully about the connections in each context to make them clear and natural in your language.

let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ: The author implies here that his listeners need to add to the basic truths that they learned about Christ. He did not imply that they should leave the basic truths and stop thinking about them. He meant that they should not be content with only those basic truths. He wanted them to also learn more complex truths about Christ to help them to mature in their faith.

Other ways to translate this meaning are.

we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ (NET)

We must…start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. (CEV)

the elementary teachings about Christ: The phrase elementary teachings about Christ refers to the first truths about Christ that the church teaches to a new believer in him. The phrase is similar to the phrase “basic principles” in 5:12. For more information and translation examples, see the note on 5:12a–b.

6:1b

and go on to maturity,

and become mature in our^(incl) knowledge about him.
so that we^(incl) study/learn what will make us mature followers of his.

and go on to maturity: The phrase go on to maturity is more literally “we-must-be-moved-on to maturity.” It indicates that we must develop (grow, progress) toward becoming mature as believers in Christ. It also implies that we must learn and understand the truths that mature believers need to know.Some scholars distinguish the two aspects of meaning (becoming mature believers and studying advanced teachings) as different interpretations of “go on to maturity.” This distinction results in the following breakdown of English versions: (1)-It means “become mature” as Christians, e.g., “go on to maturity” (BSB), followed by the BSB, NIV, NRSV, CEV, ESV, REB, and the NASB, or (2) It means “go on to more advanced teaching,” e.g., “Let us go forward, then, to mature teaching” (GNT), followed by the GNT, NCV, GW, and the NJB. The NLT rendering is a little different from either (1) or (2), since it focuses specifically on becoming mature in understanding, which involves a narrower meaning than the general “go on to maturity,” and implies absorbing teaching that is for mature people in order to gain maturity of understanding. Looking at the English versions, interpretation (1) seems to have somewhat more support. However, the back translations on TW tend to favor interpretation (2). BDAG (page 996) defines it in this verse as “maturity in contrast to the stage of elementary knowledge.” Since there is little practical difference in the interpretations, it seems best for translators to follow the interpretation that communicates most clearly in this context.

Some ways to translate the phrase go on to maturity are:

let us also learn the deeper teachings so that our faith will become mature.Kankanaey back translation on TW.

let’s develop/grow and become complete in our understanding

maturity: The Greek word that the BSB translates as maturity means “completeness, perfection.”τελειότης, BDAG, page 996. The word occurs only here and in Colossians 3:14. However, the corresponding verb “to make perfect” or “complete” occurs over twelve times in Hebrews. See the preceding note for translation examples.

6:1c–2

In 6:1d–2 the author listed six basic teachings that are part of the foundation of Christian faith. He mentions them in three pairs:Some commentators take the first pair in 6:1 (repentance and faith), as being the foundation, which is then expanded in the two pairs of items in 6:2. But the BSB, RSV, GNT and the NIV list all six items as being the foundation.

repentance from dead works and faith in God,
instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands,
resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

In (a) the author summarizes the crucial first things that a person does in coming to God: he repents of his sins and puts his faith in God. In (b) the author summarizes ceremonies of the church like baptism, in which a person is publicly initiated. In (c) he summarizes beliefs about future resurrection and judgment. The author implied that the readers already knew these truths and no one should have to teach them again.

6:1c

not laying again the foundation

We^(incl) should not need to lay the foundation of our faith all over again.
We^(incl) should not keep studying again and again the first lessons

not laying again the foundation: Here the author used a metaphor. He compared the elementary teachings about Christ to the foundation of a building. A foundation is its base and support. After the foundation is finished, the building needs walls and a roof. After a Christian has the foundation of basic beliefs, he needs to “build on” his faith by learning what mature believers need to know.

Some other ways to translate the metaphor are:

Use a simile. For example:
Let’s not continue to repeat the same basic teachings like someone who builds only the foundation of a house
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
without going over the fundamental doctrines again (NJB)

Translate the meaning in a clear way in your language.

6:1d

of repentance from dead works,

We^(incl) should already know that it is necessary to repent of sinful/useless actions
about repenting from acts that cause eternal/spiritual death,

repentance from dead works: The Greek word that the BSB translates as repentance refers to a person changing his mind, heart, or will. When a person repents from dead works, he realizes that they are wrong. He is sorry and stops doing them.

Some other ways to translate repentance from dead works are:

rejecting sins, which bring death

to quit/stop doing evil, which leads to death

For more information, see repent in KBT.

dead works: In this context, the phrase dead works refer to deeds that are both sinful and useless. They have no value, because they do not please God. They cannot help anyone to know God and go to heaven. They actually cause a person to be separated from God, which is spiritual death.

Some ways to translate the phrase dead works are:

Refer to them as useless actions. For example:
useless works (GNT)
deeds/activities that have no value
Refer to them as deeds that bring eternal death or punishment. For example:
not to do the evil that brings punishmentOtomi back translation on TW.

The text does not imply that the sins cause immediate physical death. Also, it does not imply that only some sins lead to death. Some other ways to translate dead works are:

sinful acts, which lead to death

evil deeds (NLT)

6:1e

and of faith in God,

and trust in God.
and about believing in God.

and of faith in God: The phrase faith in God refers to trusting God. It is listed here as the second teaching that is part of the foundation of Christian faith. In this context it refers especially to people trusting God to save them from sin and eternal death. In some languages it is more natural to express the noun faith as a verb. For example:

believing in God (GNT)

trust in God

depending/relying on God

For more information, see believe, sense C, in KBT.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

διὸ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διό ἀφέντες τόν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον ἐπί τήν τελειότητα φερώμεθα μή πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπό νεκρῶν ἔργων καί πίστεως ἐπί Θεόν)

The phrase So then introduces what the author wants his audience to do in response to the warning he gave in [5:11–14](../05/11.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces an application or inference. Alternate translation: [Because of that]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον, ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα

˓having˒_left (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διό ἀφέντες τόν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον ἐπί τήν τελειότητα φερώμεθα μή πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπό νεκρῶν ἔργων καί πίστεως ἐπί Θεόν)

The author speaks as if the beginning of the message of Christ were the starting point for a journey and as if maturity were the destination. He speaks in this way to encourage his audience to focus more time and energy on the destination (maturity) than on where they started out (the beginning of the message). He does not want them to replace the beginning of the message with what is related to maturity. Rather, he is exhorting them about what to focus their time and energy on. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [putting to the side the beginning of the message of Christ, let us take up maturity] or [focusing less on the beginning of the message of Christ, let us focus more on maturity]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον

The author uses the possessive form to identify the parts of the message about Christ with which a person would “begin.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in a form that is more natural. Alternate translation: [what you first learned about Christ]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of maturity, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “mature.” The idea of maturity could relate primarily to: (1) the audience and how they are becoming “mature.” Alternate translation: [to becoming mature people] (2) the message or teachings that the “mature” learn. Alternate translation: [to teachings for mature people]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι

The author speaks about teaching basic things as if it were laying a foundation. He speaks in this way because the foundation is the first thing that a builder “lays,” and the builder soon begins to build on top of that foundation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [not rehearsing again the simple teachings] or [not learning again the basics]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

μετανοίας ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, καὶ πίστεως

˱of˲_repentance (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διό ἀφέντες τόν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον ἐπί τήν τελειότητα φερώμεθα μή πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι μετανοίας ἀπό νεκρῶν ἔργων καί πίστεως ἐπί Θεόν)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of repentance and faith, you could express the ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [about repenting from dead works and about believing]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

νεκρῶν ἔργων

dead works

The author describes the works as if they were a dead person or animal. The author could describe the works as dead because: (1) they cannot accomplish anything, just like a dead person cannot do anything. Alternate translation: [works that accomplish nothing] (2) they lead to physical and spiritual death for the person who does them. Alternate translation: [works that lead to death]

Parallel HEB 6:1