• Hebrews 6:18
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 18 ἵνα in order that διὰ through δύο two πραγμάτων things ἀμεταθέτων, unchangeable, ἐν in οἷς which (ones) ἀδύνατον impossible ψεύσασθαι to lie θεόν, God, ἰσχυρὰν strong παράκλησιν encouragement ἔχωμεν we may be having οἱ the (ones) καταφυγόντες having fled down κρατῆσαι to take hold τῆς of the προκειμένης lying down before ἐλπίδος· hope;

  • Hebrews 6:18
    The Bible in Living English

    • 18 in order that by two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie we might have a strong encouragement, we who have sought refuge in grasping the hope that lies before us.

  • Hebrews 6:18
    American Standard Version

    • 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us:

  • Hebrews 6:18
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 18 In order that through means of two unchangeable things In which it was impossible for God to make himself false A mighty consolation we might have Who have fled along to grasp the fore-lying hope,

  • Hebrews 6:18
    King James Version

    • 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

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

    • 6:18

      two unchangeable things: That is, God’s promise and his oath. By means of this promise and oath, God testifies to the unchangeableness of his purpose that “all nations of the earth” will be blessed by means of Abraham’s offspring; Jehovah’s word is sure to be accomplished.​—Ge 22:16-18; Heb 6:17; see study note on Heb 6:13.

      it is impossible for God to lie: This statement echoes what is said at Nu 23:19 and 1Sa 15:29.​—See also study note on Tit 1:2.

      fled to the refuge: This phrase renders a single Greek verb that conveys the idea of fleeing, escaping, or taking refuge. (Ac 14:6) Paul’s readers would have been familiar with this expression from the Septuagint, which uses the same Greek verb to describe fleeing to the cities of refuge. (De 4:42; 19:5; Jos 20:9) Paul’s use of the expression may have reminded the Hebrew Christians that they had escaped from the Jewish system of things, which God had rejected and was about to destroy. (Mt 21:43; 23:37, 38) They had fled to the safest place, a close relationship with their trustworthy God and Father, Jehovah. (Ps 118:8; 143:9) One reference work suggests that the idea here is “we who have run to God in order to be safe.”

      have strong encouragement: The Greek word rendered “encouragement” can refer to something that motivates people to take action and gives them confidence. (Compare study note on Ro 12:8.) By means of his word and oath, God gave his people overwhelming proof that his purpose to bless mankind is unchangeable. That assurance is “no ordinary encouragement,” as one scholar puts it. Rather, as Paul explains, it is a “strong encouragement” for Christians “to take firm hold” of their hope.