QUESTION:
What does Hebrews 6:18 mean when it says:
“…by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie…”?
ANSWER:
To understand this verse well, let’s look at it in context. Hebrews 6:13–18 discusses how God made a promise to Abraham and confirmed it with an oath. These are the “two unchangeable things” the writer refers to—God’s promise and God’s oath.
Hebrews 6:17–18 :
“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, 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.”
1. God’s Promise
Theologically, a promise from God reflects His sovereign will and covenant faithfulness. In the Bible, God often establishes His covenant (like with Abraham in Genesis 12 and 15) through clear promises.
Genesis 22:17:
“I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring…”
God made this promise to Abraham without needing to—but He did it to show His commitment.
2. God’s Oath
Even more astonishing is that God, who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), swore an oath by Himself—because there is no higher authority.
Hebrews 6:13 :
“For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself…”
This oath is not because God’s word needs extra validation, but to accommodate our human need for assurance. God stooped to our level, using a method we understand (oaths), to make His word even more trustworthy.
Why Does This Matter?
In daily life, if someone promises something and swears an oath to confirm it, we take them seriously. How much more should we trust God, who not only promised but also swore—knowing He cannot lie?
Titus 1:2 :
“…in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began…”
When Jesus spoke, He often began with “Truly, truly I say to you” (John 16:23). This is a kind of solemn affirmation, showing that His words are faithful and true.
John 16:23b :
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”
That statement includes both a declaration and a promise—we can rely on it because God has bound Himself to it.
Theological Application
This truth encourages us to:
-
Trust God’s Word deeply, especially His promises
-
Be confident in prayer, knowing we have strong grounds for hope
-
Understand God’s nature as unchangeable (immutable) and truthful
Numbers 23:19:
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind…”
Psalm 138:2b:
“…you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”
In a world where promises are often broken, God’s promise and oath are like two solid anchors—unchangeable, eternal, and trustworthy.
Conclusion:
God gave us two unchangeable things—His promise and His oath—to confirm that He will never lie or fail to fulfill His word. These are the pillars of our faith and the basis of our hope.
He has promised. He has sworn. He will do it.
May the Lord bless us and strengthen our confidence in His unchanging Word.