Hebrews 6:1

Exegetical Considerations in Hebrews 6:1: The Voice of φερώμεθα

The interpretation of Hebrews 6:1 presents a significant exegetical challenge, particularly concerning the verb φερώμεθα. This passage exhorts believers to move beyond elementary doctrines towards spiritual maturity. The precise understanding of φερώμεθα—whether it functions primarily as a passive (“let us be carried/brought forward”) or a middle voice (“let us carry ourselves forward,” “let us advance”)—carries substantial theological and practical implications regarding human agency and divine initiative in spiritual growth. This exegesis will delve into the textual, lexical, grammatical, and rhetorical dimensions of this crucial verb to illuminate its intended meaning and propose nuanced translations.

Διὸ ἀφέντες τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγον ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα, μὴ πάλιν θεμέλιον καταβαλλόμενοι

— Hebrews 6:1 (Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• The Greek text of Hebrews 6:1 in the Nestle 1904 edition is identical to that found in the SBL Greek New Testament (2010), showing no variants that impact the verb φερώμεθα or its immediate context.

Textual criticism of Hebrews 6:1 within the Novum Testamentum Graece (NA28) apparatus reveals no significant variants affecting the verb φερώμεθα. The textual tradition for this particular verb form is remarkably stable across major manuscripts. This stability allows the exegete to focus on the semantic and grammatical nuances of the word itself rather than being diverted by debates over textual authenticity.

Lexical analysis of φέρω (from which φερώμεθα is derived) provides crucial insights. According to KITTEL’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT, Vol. IX, pp. 59-70), while the middle voice (φέρομαι) can sometimes carry a passive sense (“to be carried, borne”), it frequently denotes a dynamic, self-directed action, meaning “to carry oneself, proceed, advance.” This latter sense is particularly relevant in contexts of movement or progression. BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, p. 1054-1056) specifically lists Hebrews 6:1 under the meaning of the middle voice φέρομαι as “to move to, proceed to… ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα φερώμεθα *let us proceed to perfection*.” This strong lexical evidence from BDAG favors an interpretation that emphasizes the believers’ active role in their spiritual advancement, suggesting that they are the agents of their own progression towards maturity, even if empowered divinely.

Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The verb φερώμεθα is a first-person plural, present, middle/passive subjunctive form of φέρω. The challenge lies in determining whether its function in this context is primarily middle (reflexive/dynamic) or passive (being acted upon by an external agent). The subjunctive mood, combined with the hortatory nature of Διὸ ἀφέντες (“Therefore leaving… let us…”), strongly indicates an exhortation to action by the believing community.

If interpreted as a passive voice, the translation would be “let us be carried/brought forward.” This rendering implies an external agent performing the action, potentially God (a “divine passive”), moving believers towards maturity. While God is ultimately the source of all spiritual growth (Philippians 2:13), such a translation might diminish the immediate call to personal responsibility embedded in the hortatory subjunctive. The rhetorical force of the passage seems to be urging the readers to *make a deliberate effort* to advance, rather than passively awaiting transformation.

Conversely, if interpreted as a middle voice, the translation would be “let us carry ourselves forward,” “let us advance,” or “let us proceed.” This aligns with the active participation implied by the preceding aorist participle ἀφέντες (“having left/abandoned”). The middle voice here suggests that the subject (the believers) is acting upon themselves or for their own benefit, actively engaging in the process of spiritual maturation. This interpretation maintains the imperative for believers to exercise agency in their spiritual journey, building upon the foundational teachings they have received.

The phrase ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα (“to maturity” or “to perfection”) clearly indicates a goal-oriented movement. The conjunction of this prepositional phrase with a dynamic verb like φέρω, especially in its middle voice, creates a powerful rhetorical call to intentional and sustained spiritual progression. The active choice to “leave” (ἀφέντες) the elementary doctrines naturally leads to an active “moving forward” towards maturity, rather than a passive reception of it.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Based on the lexical evidence from BDAG, which explicitly cites Hebrews 6:1 as an instance of the middle voice meaning “to proceed to,” and considering the hortatory context of the passage, the interpretation of φερώμεθα as a dynamic middle voice is the most compelling. While divine enablement is foundational to all spiritual progress, the immediate grammatical and rhetorical thrust of this verse emphasizes the believers’ active and responsible engagement in their journey toward maturity. The call to “leave” elementary teachings implies a corresponding call to “move forward” intentionally.

Therefore, translations should reflect this active agency while acknowledging the broader theological context of God’s work in sanctification.

1. “Therefore, having left the elementary word of Christ, let us proceed to maturity, not laying again a foundation…”
   This translation emphasizes the believers’ active and deliberate advancement, consistent with the middle voice.
2. “Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation…”
   This version uses a more idiomatic English expression for active progress, maintaining the sense of personal effort.
3. “Therefore, leaving behind the primary doctrine of Christ, let us strive towards perfection, not laying again a foundation…”
   This option captures both the forward movement and the intentional effort implied by the middle voice and hortatory subjunctive.