v1-3: Let us go on, literally 'to carry oneself along'. Thus there is a personal responsibility to grow. Build upon the foundations of repentance and faith, Ps 5.1; Acts 3.19; 26.20; 2 Cor 7.8-11. We do not need to keep on laying foundations, but we must move on.

Repentance from dead works, for the religious person tends to rely upon his works. Repentance is commanded by God, Acts 17.30; 2 Pet 3.9; and repentance avoids judgement, Ezek 33.11; Luke 13.1-5; Jonah 3.5-10.

Faith is towards God, for He forgives sins.

Again, this is the expectation from the writer, "we will do so."

v4-5: Words used here, enlightened, tasted, shared, do not refer to conversion to Christ, but to some experience of God. Some experience God, but do not put their trust in Jesus Christ. These people, having fallen away, cannot return to repentance.

The word "fall away" is used in Rom 11.11-12 of the nation of Israel; the writer seems to be referring to a specific problem for Jewish people. Note that there is a distinction to be made between an attitude of rebellion, as here, and a single act of disobedience, as in Gal 6.1.

v7-8: Fruitfulness is another sign of maturity. Fruitfulness depends on the character of the ground; the same seed of the word of God is sown, the same rain falls on it. But some bears useful plants, and is blessed by God, other bears thorns and thistles, and is burned. Thus, the reader is presented with a choice for his life.

v9: The writer graciously commends his readers, confident that they will persevere, and evidenced by "things that accompany salvation." God works in our lives that we might be saved, but also that we might develop a certain character, and demonstrate qualities in our lives. Although we are all different, there are things which must be seen in all of us.

v10: God will not overlook our work and labour of love, serving others, doing something for the benefit of others, with no thought of personal glory, especially towards "His people" (Gal 6.10). God gives a reward, not because we deserve it, but because He has promised it. We should do something that others are not called to do, not able to do, and not willing to do. Look for the opportunity and make the effort. The service of others brings honour to His Name; God commands it, and receives glory by our obedience.

v11: The need for "each one" to press on; see 3.13, "any of you"; these things apply to each individual. The attitude of obedience strengthens our assurance of salvation; our hope is made more sure.

v12: Imitate those displaying faith and patience; press on, believing God. "Patience" here is self-restraint in the face of persecution, see 10.32-34, and 1 Pet 2.23.

v13-14: God made a promise to Abraham; this was the end of all dispute and doubt, for it is impossible that God should lie. God declared His mind to Abraham, with the promise of abundant blessing. The fulfilment of that promise was absolutely certain.

Ultimately the fulfilment was in Christ, through whom Abraham has many descendants. Just as Isaac was Abraham's "one and only son" (11.17), so Jesus Christ was God's one and only Son.

v15: Abraham had to wait; he patiently endured. Abraham had been called by God years before; this promise was only given after he had offered Isaac.

v16: Men swear by someone greater than themselves, e.g: 1 Sam 24.21; 25.22; such words are the end of all dispute and debate. It was a serious matter when, for example, Saul did not keep his word. How sad when a man's word cannot be trusted!

v17: God did not need to swear an oath, for there is no one greater, and it is impossible for God to lie. Yet to demonstrate the importance of what He was going to do, God confirmed His promise by an oath. Whatever else happened, whatever rebellion was displayed by man; God's word must be fulfilled.

v18: The two immutable things; that God cannot lie, and that there is no one greater than God. This brings us strong consolation. We have trusted in God, and these things remind us that our faith can never be disappointed. The promises of God cannot be broken.

In the OT, there are two references to those who 'fled for refuge:'

- there were six cities of refuge, where a person guilty of manslaughter, not murder, might flee.

- at the beginning of Solomon's reign, he sought to remove some from his inner circle. Joab and Adonijah, both rejected by Solomon, and for good reasons, fled to the altar.

In both cases, those who fled had an uncertain future; they depended on the judges and priests for mercy.

This is a powerful illustration. We recognise we are guilty before God, deserving death. We flee to Christ for safety and for mercy. And our future becomes certain.

v19: Our hope is an anchor of the soul, securing and guaranteeing safety. That hope is Jesus Christ and the promises of God in Him. That hope is in the dwelling place of God, behind the veil, in the sanctuary.

v20: Our High Priest has entered, and remained, behind the veil. There is no need for Christ to depart from the Father's presence. No sins of His can spoil their communion. We will be where our forerunner has gone, within the veil, in the very presence of God. Scripture goes further, since we are already seated in the Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus; there is a sense in which we are already there.

The forerunner was a chosen person who fixed an anchor on shore and, thus, provided safety for the ship. This person ran a great risk in doing this.