“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,”
My Notes
What Does Hebrews 6:1 Mean?
The author of Hebrews tells his readers to move past the basics: leave the elementary doctrines of Christ and go on to maturity. Don't keep re-laying the foundation — repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection, eternal judgment. These are starting points, not destinations.
The word "perfection" (teleiotēs) means maturity, completion, full growth. It's the same concept as a plant moving from seed to fruit. The foundation is the seed. Maturity is the harvest. You don't keep planting the same seed over and over. You grow.
The six foundational doctrines listed represent the ABC's of Christian faith. Every one is essential. None is the final word. The author isn't dismissing them — he's saying they're supposed to launch you, not contain you. A foundation is the beginning of a building, not the building itself.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Are you still re-laying the foundation in your faith — or are you building on it?
- 2.Which of the six foundational doctrines (repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection, judgment) are you still 'learning' that should be settled?
- 3.What does spiritual maturity ('perfection') look like beyond the basics — and are you pursuing it?
- 4.How do you move from spiritual milk to spiritual meat practically — not just theoretically?
Devotional
Stop re-laying the foundation. Build something on it.
The author of Hebrews is frustrated with people who keep starting over. Repentance — learned it. Faith — got it. Baptism — done it. Resurrection — believe it. And then... back to repentance. Again. The same foundation. Re-poured. Re-laid. Never built upon.
There's a version of Christianity that's permanently elementary. Always at the beginning. Always re-learning the basics. Always re-establishing what should have been settled years ago. And the author says: enough. Leave the principles. Go on to perfection. Grow up.
The six doctrines listed aren't optional. They're foundational. Every one matters. But a foundation isn't a house. You don't live in the foundation. You live in what's built on it. And if you spend your entire spiritual life re-pouring the concrete, you never build the rooms that house mature faith.
"Let us go on unto perfection" — let us. Collective movement. Forward motion. Away from the elementary, toward the mature. Not abandoning the foundation. Building on it. Growing past it. Moving from milk to meat (5:12-14).
Where are you in your spiritual construction? Still at the foundation? Still re-learning the basics? Or building — room by room, story by story — toward the maturity that the foundation was designed to support?
The foundation is done. It's time to build.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called,…
Therefore - “Since, as was stated in the previous chapter, you ought to be capable of comprehending the higher doctrines…
Therefore - Because ye have been so indolent, slow of heart, and have still so many advantages.
Leaving the principles…
We have here the apostle's advice to the Hebrews - that they would grow up from a state of childhood to the fullness of…
leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ Lit., "leaving the discourse of the beginning of Christ," i.e. getting…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture