Hebrews 6:3 says that the writer and his readers intend to keep moving forward in their growth as Christians, but they make that plan subject to God’s will. The verse is a short, confident statement of purpose with a humble qualification attached. It was written by the unnamed author of the letter to the Hebrews to a community of Jewish Christians who were tempted to stay content with the basics of their faith.
This will we do, if God permits.
Hebrews 6:3 (WEB)
What Hebrews 6:3 Means
The verse begins with “This will we do,” which points back to the previous verses. The author has just urged his readers to leave behind the elementary teachings about repentance, faith, baptism, the laying on of hands, resurrection, and judgment, and to press on toward maturity. “This” is that forward movement. The author is not saying he expects the readers to stay where they are, nor is he calling them to abandon those foundations. He is saying that moving on toward deeper understanding and fuller life in Christ is what he and his community will pursue.
The phrase “if God permits” is what gives the verse its humility. The author acknowledges that growth in faith is not simply a matter of human effort or willpower. Progress depends on God’s gracious allowance and help. This does not mean that God is reluctant or unpredictable. It reflects the ordinary Christian understanding that every step of spiritual maturity is made possible by God’s grace.
What the verse does not promise is a guaranteed outcome without any effort or any warning. It does not say that every believer will automatically reach a certain level of spiritual depth. The verse expresses a resolve, held within trust in God, to keep going. The reader is invited to share that resolve.
The Context of Hebrews 6:3
The letter to the Hebrews is anonymous, and its author is not named in the text. Early church tradition attributed it to Paul, but most scholars today do not accept that, and the matter remains uncertain. The letter was addressed to Christians, probably Jewish believers, who were under pressure and at risk of drifting away from their confession. The author spends much of the letter showing the superiority of Christ over the old covenant system, and he calls his readers to steadfast faith.
Verses 4 through 6 come directly after Hebrews 6:3 and have been read in many different ways across church history. They describe people who have been enlightened and have tasted the gifts of God but who then fall away. Because of that surrounding passage, Hebrews 6:3 reads as a deliberate turn toward hope and forward motion, set against a serious warning. The author moves from a call to maturity into a sober reminder of the danger of abandoning faith, and then returns to encouragement later in the chapter. Reading the verse with that context in view keeps it from being heard as mere optimism.
Key Phrases in Hebrews 6:3
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
(WEB)
Paul expresses confidence that God, who began a good work in believers, will carry it on to completion. This echoes the theme of ongoing spiritual growth held within God’s faithful work, and it strengthens the assurance behind “if God permits.”
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
(WEB)
This proverb speaks of human hearts planning their way while the Lord directs their steps. It parallels Hebrews 6:3 closely, showing the same balance between intentional planning and humble dependence on God.
A Short Prayer From Hebrews 6:3
Lord, you know the places where I have grown comfortable and stopped moving forward. Give me a clear desire to press on toward maturity in my faith. Show me the next faithful step, whether that is deeper prayer, careful study of your Word, or love shown to someone who needs it. I want to commit those plans to you, trusting that every good work I attempt depends on your grace. If you permit it, let me walk in them with courage and humility. Amen.
