• Hebrews 6:10
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 10 οὐ not γὰρ for ἄδικος unrighteous ὁ the θεὸς God ἐπιλαθέσθαι to forget τοῦ of the ἔργου work ὑμῶν of YOU καὶ and τῆς of the ἀγάπης love ἧς of which ἐνεδείξασθε YOU showed within εἰς into τὸ the ὄνομα name αὐτοῦ, of him, διακονήσαντες having served τοῖς to the ἁγίοις holy (ones) καὶ and διακονοῦντες. serving.

  • Hebrews 6:10
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 10 For not unrighteous is God to be forgetful of your work and of the love which ye have shewn forth for his name, In that ye have ministered unto the saints and are ministering,—

  • Hebrews 6:10
    King James Version

    • 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 6
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 6:10

      God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work: In this context, “to forget” means to stop caring about, to neglect. (Compare Lu 12:6.) Here Paul does more than simply reassure Christians that God remembers, or keeps in mind, the good that they do. The apostle adds extraordinary weight to his statement by prefacing it with the words “God is not unrighteous.” In God’s view, to neglect or stop caring about a loyal servant’s good deeds would be an unrighteous act on His part. It is impossible for Jehovah ever to do anything unrighteous; for example, it is “impossible for God to lie.” (See study note on Heb 6:18.) Such conduct would go against Jehovah’s very nature, so it is utterly unthinkable. (See also Job 34:12; Jas 1:13.) The Hebrew Christians could thus rest assured that Jehovah would always remember and value all the good that they did, even if other humans​—and they themselves​—had long since forgotten it.

      the love you showed for his name: In the Bible, the word “name” is often used in a broad sense, meaning not only the name itself but everything about the person bearing the name​—in particular, his reputation. (See study note on Mt 6:9.) Like Jesus, Christians were to show love for God’s name by making it known to others. Motivated by their love for Jehovah, they were not only to use his holy name but also to glorify it by their good conduct and acts of kindness to others. Paul’s words emphasize that showing love for the sacred name of God is of prime importance to all followers of Christ. Jesus himself summarized his earthly ministry by saying to his Father: “I have made your name manifest . . . I have made your name known.”​—See study notes on Joh 17:6, 26.

      continuing to minister to the holy ones: In this context, the expression “holy ones” refers to spirit-anointed followers of Jesus Christ, the men and women who have a heavenly hope. (See study note on Ro 1:7.) The Hebrew Christians had a long history of ministering to one another in various ways. (Ac 4:32-35; 12:5) For example, they likely offered material or financial help when needed. (Compare study note on Lu 8:3.) Paul commends them not only for doing so in the past but for continuing to do so over the course of time. He reminds them that Jehovah views caring for His servants as a way of showing love for His name.​—See also Heb 10:32-34; 13:1-3.