Bible Strands
Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author addresses Jewish Christians who have stalled in their spiritual development and require basic instruction rather than advanced teaching. He positions this command immediately before outlining secondary doctrines like baptism and resurrection.
The words — The Greek ἀφέντες (aphentes), meaning "having left," governs the directive to depart from the λόγον (logon), "teaching," of Christ. This lexical pairing frames spiritual progression as a deliberate abandonment of repeated foundational instruction.
The thread — The progression past elementary principles mirrors Hebrews 5:12, where the audience needs reteaching of basic words. The call to advance in faith connects to the cleansing mandate in 2 Corinthians 7:1 and the purifying function of Christ's blood in Hebrews 9:14.
Why it lands — The text commands readers to stop circling back to foundational doctrines and pursue mature understanding. It requires a practical shift from merely grasping repentance and faith to actively applying advanced spiritual responsibility.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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,
Cross-references
- Hebrews 5:12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!
- 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
- Acts 26:20 First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.
- Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
- Hebrews 12:13 Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
- Matthew 21:32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
- Hebrews 7:11 Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
- Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
- 1 John 5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.