Definition: Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this incredibly important passage from Hebrews 6:17. It’s a really deep and complex idea, but I’ll try to explain it in plain language. Here's the gist: This verse is saying God is really careful about what He promises to people who have been given a "promise" (a special inheritance or a future benefit). It’s not just a casual promise; God is deliberately protecting that promise with something called an “oath.” Let's unpack it word-by-word: “Wherein God…” : This tells us we’re going to read about something important in the Bible. “…willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise…” : "Heeders of promise" means people who have been given a special, future blessing or inheritance – like believers in Christ. "Showeth” means reveals or makes known. Basically, God is showing these believers something important. “…the immutability of his counsel…” : “Counsel” refers to God's plan and guidance for everything that will happen. “Immutability” means unchanging – it doesn’t change over time. So, this part says God is guaranteeing His plans, even when things get difficult or unexpected. “…confirmed [it] by an oath:” : This is the crucial part! "Confirmed" means to make sure something is true. “By an oath” means that God made a binding promise with an oath . An oath is like a vow – a solemn promise, and it’s considered very serious. So, what does this all mean? It's essentially saying that God never changes His mind about what He promises. Even if things seem bad or difficult, God has already made a firm commitment to keep his plan going. He's not just saying it might be possible someday; he’s guaranteeing it will happen. Why is this important? This idea is really important for believers because: It provides comfort: Knowing that God is steadfast and reliable gives us peace of mind, even when life throws curveballs. It emphasizes trust: It encourages us to trust in God's plan, even if we don’t fully understand it. It speaks to a deeper relationship: It shows that our relationship with God isn't based on our own efforts but on His unwavering commitment. In short, Hebrews 6:17 is a powerful statement about God’s faithfulness and security – a guarantee that He will always keep what He has promised. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail with an analogy? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Answer any specific questions you have about it?