"16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 6:16-20
There is a great wealth for us in a true understanding of this passage. Alternative translations should be consulted in order to realise the full force of the Apostle's words. The RSV puts 16 thus: "Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation". J.B. Phillips has, "an oath is the end of all quibbling". And God, so anxious to convince men of His trustworthiness, not only gives them His promise, but also condescends to follow the practice of men and confirm His Word with an oath. How much more should this be regarded as final for confirmation? So that now there are two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to prove false, so that "we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us" (18). The idea of hope as an anchor of the soul is a wonderful one, and will require further thought in tomorrow's Note. In the meantime, we must note the insistence here that ultimately, everything in the Christian life depends upon faith in God's faithful word. It is written of Abraham that he 'believed God' - so simple, so uncomplicated, but so utterly demanding. This is the life of faith. 'Standing on the promises' - to understand aright what this means is to have comprehended all the deepest issues of spiritual life and to ensure steadfastness and true growth in grace. By this alone can we endure to the end.