Hebrews 6:19
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”
Explanation and Commentary of Hebrews 6:19
“This hope” is the promise of God in Christ Jesus, a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Ps 110:4), of our inheritance in the Lord. The author of Hebrews is discussing in these chapters the first covenant between God and Abraham, which gave him hope that he would inherit the land and have numerous offspring that become a great nation. The offspring of Abraham failed to obtain the inheritance because they did not continue in the faith and obedience of Abraham.
But God always meant for the first covenant to be a step toward the new covenant in Jesus Christ. He meant for the first priesthood in the order of Levi to give way to the ultimate priesthood from Judah, which was the order of Melchizedek, who actually preceded Levi. The hope we have now is not based on our own righteousness, but that of him who is both our high priest and our once-for-all sacrifice of atonement.
It is Jesus who has entered the “inner sanctuary behind the curtain” and brings us in with him. Our salvation is secure, and we continue by faith and patience to walk in him, obedient to God, hopeful, our soul anchored in him. It means that we will indeed make it to the end and receive our inheritance. We already have in a very real sense. The Kingdom of God is already and not yet, and so are we as members of the Kingdom. We have received eternal life, and we are going to receive eternal life. We are saved and being saved. Only let us “live up to what we have attained” (Phil 3:16).
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Hebrews 6:19
#1 “We have this hope…”
The hope is the certainty of the promise of God. His promise is that we will receive our inheritance. We have this hope because he declares that we have it, and he has secured it by way of the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son.
#2 “As an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
This is not only a conceptual hope. It is an anchor for the soul. By that hope we are firm, and we are secure. Being anchored in one’s soul is a powerful image for the “perfect peace” (Isa 26:3) that Jesus secures for us. We are grounded in truth and the righteousness of Christ as we are sanctified. This is more and more lived out in the one who is truly saved by faith and follows after God, waiting for the return of Christ.
#3 “It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”
Jesus has entered behind the curtain (Heb 6:20) on our behalf, and our hope is entirely in him. This implies that in this newness of life (Ro 6:4) we can approach the throne of our Father in heaven full of the boldness of a son.
Bible Study on Hebrews 6:19
Expert Overview of Hebrews
Biblical Translations of Hebrews 6:19
NIV
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
NLT
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
ESV
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.
KJV
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.
NKJV
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.