The writer proceeded to explain what the community of Christians that he addressed should do to rectify its dangerous condition.
6:1 Since they needed stretching mentally they should with the writer "press on to maturity."That is, they should not be content with their present condition. In this context spiritual maturity involves receiving and responding appropriately to revealed truth (5:14), zeal for the realization of hope (v. 11), and unwavering faith and steadfast endurance (v. 12).166
The verb translated "let us press on"(pherometha) is in the passive voice. We could render it, "Let us be carried on"(i.e., by God's Spirit). Spiritual maturity does not come by our striving in self-effort but by our cooperating with God as we do His will depending on His help. It comes as we follow the Holy Spirit who leads us (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16).
". . . they are saved. They are genuine believers. Thus their need is not knowledge; rather, they need to use the knowledge they possess."167
The writer proposed that his readers leave elementary teaching concerning the Messiah in the past. They did not need to learn that again, presumably by catechetical instruction.168They did not need further instruction about abandoning confidence in works for salvation (either as part of the Levitical rituals or just as legalism) and turning to God in faith. This too was foundational truth they did not need to learn again.
6:2 They did not need further instruction in four other subjects either. "Washings"evidently refers to the doctrine of spiritual cleansing. The Greek word translated "washings"is baptismosthat refers to Jewish ceremonial washings whenever it occurs in the New Testament (Mark 7:4, 8; Heb. 9:10). A different Greek word (baptisma) describes Christian baptism. This means the writer here referred not to baptism but to spiritual cleansing.
The "laying on of hands"in Judaism was part of the sacrificial ritual (Lev. 1:4; 3:2; 4:4; 8:14; 16:21; et al.) and commissioning for public office (Num. 27:18, 23; Deut. 34:9; cf. Acts 6:6; 13:3). In the early church the imparting of the Holy Spirit sometimes accompanied this practice (Acts 8:17-18; 19:6; cf. v. 4, 2:4; 10:29).
The Old Testament taught the resurrection of the dead (Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2) and eternal judgment (Gen. 18:25; Isa. 33:22).
"We are responsible people, and one day we shall rise from the dead and give account of ourselves to God. This must have been of importance to new converts in a time when many people thought of death as the end of everything."169
The writer presented the six foundational teachings in verses 1 and 2 in three pairs.
1. Repentance from dead works, and faith toward God (v. 1)
2. Instruction about washings, and laying on of hands (v. 2a)
3. Instruction about the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment (v. 2b)
The structure of this sentence in Greek suggests that the last two pairs explain the first pair. Laying the foundation of repentance and faith consists of instruction regarding washings, sortilege (laying on hands), resurrection, and judgment. The first pair points Godward, the second manward, and the third forward into the future.
Each of these teachings was foundational in Judaism as well as in Christianity. Most of the original readers would have come to believe these truths even before they became Christians. They are very basic.
6:3 We will press on to maturity "if God permits."The writer again (v. 1) acknowledged dependence on God for spiritual growth. We can continue to grow only as He enables us to do so.
"It seems that the apostle here addresses true Christians, as non-Christians cannot grow in their ability to experientially apply the word of righteousness to daily life and have their spiritual senses trained in spiritual discernment."170
What does a stagnant, sour believer need? He or she needs to mature. How does growth toward maturity take place? It happens when, by God's grace, the believer responds positively to further revelation beyond the basics. We see examples of the danger the writer warned his readers about all around us. Many Christians attend churches where they only hear the gospel repeatedly. Their ears become dull, they stop growing, and many of them turn away from the faith. Those who put themselves under the challenge of more advanced teaching and respond properly to it grow more mature.
