6:11

There are several ways to order the phrases in this verse. Be sure to use a natural way in your language to express the relationship of the phrases. See the General Comment on 6:11 at the end of 6:11 for examples.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure: There are two views about what the phrase to the very end is connected to in this verse:

(1) It is connected to “show the same diligence.” It means that they should be diligent to the very end. For example:

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. (New International Version)

(2) It is connected to “realize the full assurance of hope.” It means that they should be eager to realize the hope until the end. For example:

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end. (New American Standard Bible)

Some English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions and commentators.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end: In 6:10 the author indicated that the listeners had showed love for God by serving other believers. Here in 6:11 the author told them to continue to show that same eagerness to serve until the end of their lives. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

and we earnestly request that every one of you will continue to behave like that for as long as you live
-or-
Our great desire is that you will keep on faithfully doing this until you die

6:11a

We: The word We refers here to the author of Hebrews. It does not include the listeners. At the time when Hebrews was written, it was common for an author to use a plural form to refer to himself. In some languages it is more natural to use a singular form like “I.”

want: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as want means “to earnestly desire.” It indicates here that the author strongly desired his listeners to be diligent. Other ways to translate this meaning are:

greatly desire
-or-
earnestly beg/plead

In some languages it may more natural to use a noun to translate the meaning. For example:

great desire (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
earnest wish (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
longing

to show this same diligence: The phrase this same diligence refers to the same type of eager effort and perseverance that the listeners showed in the past when they served God’s people. It indicates that they were devoted to what they were doing. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb to translate this phrase. For example:

to persevere
-or-
to faithfully continue to do this

6:11b

to the very end: In Greek this phrase is more literally, “until the end.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It means “to the end of their lives.” For example:

as long as life lasts (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

(2) It means “until the end of time when the Lord returns.” For example:

until the last day

Most English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In the context of Hebrews, the believers suffered persecution and might be killed for following Jesus. It is important for believers to be faithful to him for as long as we live.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

all your lives (New Century Version)
-or-
as long as you live

in order to make your hope sure: This clause indicates the purpose of continuing to be diligent. The listeners should continue to be diligent so that they will be sure to receive what they hope for. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

so that you will receive what you have fully/confidently expected
-or-
so you will surely get what you hope for (New Century Version)

hope: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hope refers to expecting something with confidence that it will happen. That expectation is based on a reason. In this context hope refers to being confident that God will do the good things that he promised to do for his people.

In some languages it is more natural to express hope with a clause. For instance:

what you hope for
-or-
what you confidently expect

This word occurred also in 3:6. See how you translated it there. It also occurs in 6:18, 7:19 and 10:23.

General Comment on 6:11

In this verse the author indicated that the listeners should continue to do what he praised them for doing in 6:10. Be sure that the reference back to those actions is clear. Some other ways to make it clear are:

We really request that every one of you exert effort to have behavior like that until the end so that you will indeed get what you are hoping for from God.
-or-
That is what we wish, that each one of you simply/just perseveres doing like that as long as you live so that your expectation from God will be fulfilled.

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