Hebrews 6:1 Meaning: Leaving Basics to Grow Toward Maturity
Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let’s press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Wherefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Christ, unto the perfection we may advance, not again a foundation laying of reformation from dead works, and of faith on God,
Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us go on [to what belongs] to full growth, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God,
Meaning in one sentence
What does Hebrews 6:1 mean by 'leaving' elementary teachings? Learn how to build on the foundation of faith and press on toward spiritual maturity.
Context
Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who had believed in Christ but were growing weary. They had been believers long enough to be teaching others, yet they were stuck on the basic lessons, like children who never leave kindergarten. The writer has just scolded them for their spiritual laziness (Hebrews 5:11, 14). Now he urges them forward. 'Therefore' connects to that rebuke: because you ought to be mature, let us leave the beginner topics behind and press on toward completeness. He is not saying to forget the basics, but to build on them. The foundation, repentance and faith, must stay; what changes is what you build on top of it.
Key Words
The word translated "leaving" (Greek aphentes) does not mean throwing away. Think of a builder who finishes the foundation and moves on to the walls. The foundation is still there, holding everything up, but he is not still digging footings. That is what the writer wants: stop laying the same foundation over and over.
The phrase "let us go on" is one Greek verb (pherōmetha) that means "let us be carried forward." It is passive, like being swept along by a current. The writer puts himself in the boat with them. Spiritual growth is not just gritting your teeth; it is surrendering to the Holy Spirit's movement and letting Him carry you into deeper waters.
The word "perfection" (teleiotēs) means completeness or maturity, the full-grown state Hebrews 5:14 calls "adults." It is not sinless perfection in this life, but a robust, seasoned faith that can digest the deep truths about Christ's priesthood. God wants you whole, not stuck.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians agree that this verse calls believers forward, but they have read "perfection" differently. Some, especially in Methodist and Wesleyan traditions, understand it as entire sanctification, being so filled with God's love that sin loses its grip. Others, like many Reformed and Anglican commentators, see it as mature Christian knowledge: the ability to grasp deep doctrines like Christ's eternal priesthood. The Catholic tradition has often connected this "perfection" with the full life of grace and the pursuit of holiness through the sacraments. What unites these readings is the conviction that God does not intend His children to stay as infants. The foundation of repentance and faith is essential and never abandoned, but you are meant to grow a house on it.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think "leaving the elementary teachings" means you eventually outgrow repentance and faith, as if mature Christians no longer need to turn from sin or trust God. That is not what the verse says. In fact, the phrase "not laying again a foundation" means those truths are still there, they are the bedrock. You never graduate from needing repentance and faith. You just stop treating the first steps as your whole journey. The builder does not demolish the foundation; he builds on it.
Living This Out
Think of one area where you have been stuck on repeat. Maybe every prayer time covers the same basic confessions and requests, without ever pausing to listen. Maybe your Bible reading circles around the same familiar passages because the deeper ones feel hard. This week, choose one truth about Christ that makes you uncomfortable or confused, His priesthood, His ascension, His ongoing intercession, and spend fifteen minutes with it. Read the passage slowly. Ask God to carry you forward. You do not have to abandon what you know. You only have to stop staying in the shallow end.
Main takeaway: God calls you to grow from spiritual infancy into maturity by building on the foundation of repentance and faith, not by staying there forever.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Think of when you learned your ABCs. You did not forget them after you learned to read. You used them to read harder books. God wants you to use what you know about Jesus to learn even more about Him.
For ages 9, 12
Imagine you are building a LEGO castle. The first step is laying a flat base plate. If you spend all your time taking that plate apart and putting it back together, you never build the towers or the gate. The basic plate has to stay, but you move on to the fun part. Hebrews 6:1 says the foundation of turning from sin and trusting God is solid and it stays. But God wants you to keep building, learning more about who Jesus is and what He has done, so your faith grows tall and strong.
Questions People Ask
Does Hebrews 6:1 mean I should stop repenting and believing once I am mature?
No. The foundation of repentance and faith never goes away. The verse says stop 'laying again' that foundation, meaning stop treating the basics as if you have to start over from scratch every time. A mature Christian still repents and believes; they just do more than those first steps.
What kind of 'perfection' is the writer talking about?
The Greek word teleiotēs means completeness or full growth, not sinless flawlessness. It refers to spiritual maturity, being able to digest the deeper truths about Christ instead of needing milk. Different traditions apply this differently, but all agree it means growing up in your faith.
Does 'leaving the principles of Christ' mean I should stop studying basic Bible teachings?
Not at all. You never outgrow needing to know the Gospel. But if you have been a Christian for years and still only know the very first lessons, something is wrong. Keep the basics, but let them be the foundation for deeper understanding of who Christ is and what He accomplished.
How does this verse connect to the warning about falling away in verses 4, 6?
The warning is a reason to press on. If you refuse to grow and remain stagnant, you become like ground that only produces thorns. The antidote to drifting away is actively moving forward into maturity. The writer wants his readers to advance so they do not fall back.
Why does the author include himself in 'let us go on'?
The writer is not claiming to have arrived. He puts himself alongside his readers because spiritual growth is a journey every believer shares. No one outgrows the need to press deeper into Christ. The call is for the whole community to move forward together.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study