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Daily Devotions

Hebrews

Hebrews 
Day 
Day 141

"Leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ..."

Text: Hebrews 6:1

DIFFERENT PHRASES

Two very similar phrases were employed by the author of Hebrews to describe “the milk of the word of God.” These two phrases are:

“The first principles of the oracles of God…”
Hebrews 5:12

“The elementary principles of Christ…”
Hebrews 6:1

1. A common adjective

a) The word “first” translates the Greek “arches”.
b) The word “elementary” actually translates from the same adjective “arches”. It may thus be translated “first principles”.

2. The word “principles” (“stoicheia”)

a) This word was used in Hebrews 5:12.
b) This word was “added for clarity” in Hebrews 6:1.
c) It is a good and valid word that helps us understand the text better.

3. Linguistic style

a) The author sometimes leaves out a word or two if he feels that the context is very clear.
b) This seems to be the reason why the author left out the word “principles” in Hebrews 6:1.
c) He wrote simply “the first…” and of course the translators felt that readers would benefit if they would add the word that had been left out (this is known as an ellipsis). It is not an uncommon literary feature in the New Testament texts!

SAME MEANING

1. “Oracles” translates the Greek “logon”.

2. The phrases- the “oracles of God” and “the elementary principles of Christ” are essentially the same.

The author strongly urged his readers to move beyond the elementary principles of Christ towards spiritual maturity. A wise and necessary word of admonition.