Hebrews 6 · Verse 9

Hebrews 6:9

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Hebrews 6:9, King James Version

Hebrews 6:9 in other translations

BSBEven though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.
WEBBut, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this.
ASVBut, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak:
YLTand we are persuaded, concerning you, beloved, the things that are better, and accompanying salvation, though even thus we speak,
DARBYBut we are persuaded concerning you, beloved, better things, and connected with salvation, even if we speak thus.
BBEBut, my loved ones, though we say this, we are certain that you have better things in you, things which go with salvation;
WebsterBut, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

What does Hebrews 6:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. beloved--appositely here introduced; LOVE to you prompts me in the strong warnings I have just given, not that I entertain unfavorable thoughts of you; nay, I anticipate better things of you; Greek "the things which are better"; that ye are not thorn-bearing, or nigh unto cursing, and doomed unto burning, but heirs of salvation in accordance with God's faithfulness (He 6:10). we are persuaded--on good grounds; the result of proof. Compare Ro 15:14, "I myself am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye are full of goodness." A confirmation of the Pauline authorship of this Epistle. things that accompany--Greek, "things that hold by," that is, are close unto "salvation." Things that are linked unto salvation (compare He 6:19). In opposition to "nigh unto cursing." though--Greek, "if even we thus speak." "For it is better to make you afraid with words, that ye may not suffer in fact."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things. We confidently hope for better things respecting you. We trust that you are true Christians; that you will produce the proper fruits of holiness; that you will be saved.

Things that accompany salvation. Things that pertain to salvation. The Greek phrase here means, "near to salvation," or things that are conjoined with salvation. So Coverdale renders it, "and that salvation is nigher." The form of expression seems to refer to what was said in Heb 6:8. The land overrun with briers was nigh to cursing; the things which Paul saw in them were nigh to salvation. From this verse it is evident

(1.) that the apostle regarded them as sincere Christians, and

(2.) that he believed they would not fall away. Though he had stated what must be the inevitable consequence if Christians should apostatize, yet he says that, in their case, he had a firm conviction that it would not occur. There is no inconsistency in this. We may be certain that if a man should take arsenic it would kill him; and yet we may have the fullest conviction that he will not do it. Is not this verse a clear proof that Paul felt that it was certain that true Christians would never fall away and be lost? If he supposed that they might, how could he be persuaded that it would not happen to them? Why not to them as well as to others? Learn hence, that while we assure men that if they should fall away they would certainly perish, we may nevertheless address them with the full persuasion that they will be saved.

(++) "accompany" "belong to"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 But, beloved - Here he softens what he had before said; having given them the most solemn warning against apostasy, he now encourages them to persevere, commends the good that is in them, and excites them to watchfulness and activity. Better things of you - Than that you shall resemble that unfruitful ground that can be improved by no tillage, and is thrown into waste, and is fit only for the beasts of the forests to roam in. Things that accompany salvation - Τα εχομενα σωτηριας· Things that are suitable to a state of salvation; you give proofs still that you have not, whatever others have done, departed from the living God. Several of your brethren have already apostatized, and the whole nation is in a state of rebellion against God; and, in consequence of their final rejection of Christ and his Gospel, are about to be finally rejected by God. They must meet with destruction; they have the things that are suitable to, and indicative of, a state of reprobation; the wrath of God will come upon them to the uttermost; but, while they meet with destruction, you shall meet with salvation. It is worthy of remark, that no genuine Christian perished in the destruction of Jerusalem; they all, previously to the siege by Titus, escaped to Pella, in Coelosyria; and it is as remarkable that not one Jew escaped! all either fell by the sword, perished by famine, or were led into captivity! According to their own imprecation, His blood be upon us and our children, God visited and avenged the innocent blood of Christ upon them and upon their posterity; and they continue to be monuments of his displeasure to the present day.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 6:9-10
There are things that are never separated from salvation; things that show the person to be in a state of salvation, and which will end in eternal salvation. And the things that accompany salvation, are better things than ever any dissembler or apostate enjoyed. The works of love, done for the glory of Christ, or done to his saints for Christ's sake, from time to time, as God gives occasion, are evident marks of a man's salvation; and more sure tokens of saving grace given, than the enlightenings and tastings spoken of before. No love is to be reckoned as love, but working love; and no works are right works, which flow not from love to Christ.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Hebrews 6:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠεπείσμεθαPepeismethaWe have been persuadedG3982
δὲdehoweverG1161
περὶpericoncerningG4012
ὑμῶν,humōnyou,G4771
ἀγαπητοί,agapētoibeloved,G27
τὰta[of] <the> [things]G3588
κρείσσοναkreissonabetterG2908
καὶkaiandG2532
ἐχόμεναechomena[things] accompanyingG2192
σωτηρίας,sōtēriassalvation,G4991
εἰeiifG1487
καὶkaievenG2532
οὕτωςhoutōslike thisG3779
λαλοῦμεν.laloumenwe speak.G2980

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Hebrews 6:9

  • Hebrews 10:39

    But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

  • Hebrews 6:4-6

    For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

  • Matthew 5:3-12

    Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. …

  • Hebrews 2:3

    How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

  • 2 Corinthians 7:10

    For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

  • Galatians 5:22-23

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

  • Acts 20:21

    Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:14

    Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4

    Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

  • Titus 2:11-14

    For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • Hebrews 5:9

    And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

  • Hebrews 10:34

    For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
beloved.
4-6,10; 10:34,39; Php 1:6,7; 1Th 1:3,4
things.
2:3; 5:9; Isa 57:15; Mt 5:3-12; Mr 16:16; Ac 11:18; 20:21; 2Co 7:10
Ga 5:6,22,23; Tit 2:11-14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Hebrews 6:8

    But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

  • Hebrews 6:9

    But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

  • Hebrews 6:10

    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.

Read all of Hebrews 6

Hebrews 6:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Pero de vosotros, oh amados, esperamos mejores cosas, y más cercanas á salud, aunque hablamos así.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais nous sommes persuadés, en ce qui vous concerne, bien-aimés, de choses meilleures et qui tiennent au salut, quoique nous parlions ainsi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wir aber sind in Bezug auf euch, Geliebte, von besseren und mit der Seligkeit verbundenen Dingen überzeugt, wenn wir auch also reden.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Confidimus autem de vobis dilectissimi meliora, et viciniora saluti: tametsi ita loquimur.