John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 6:11

"And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end:" — Hebrews 6:11 (ASV)

And we desire, and so on. Just as he tempered his exhortation, so that he would not completely grieve their minds, so now he freely reminds them of what was still lacking in them, so that his courtesy would not appear to contain any flattery. “You have made,” he says, “your love evident by many acts of kindness; it remains, however, that your faith should correspond with it. You have diligently labored not to be lacking in your duties to men; but with no less earnestness it is necessary for you to make progress in faith, so as to demonstrate before God its unwavering and full certainty.”

Now, by these words the Apostle shows that there are two parts in Christianity which correspond with the two tables of the Law. Therefore, whoever separates the one from the other has nothing but what is mutilated and mangled. And from this it appears what sort of teachers they are who make no mention of faith, and prescribe only the duty of honesty and uprightness towards men. Indeed, it is a profane philosophy that dwells only on the outward mask of righteousness, if it even deserves to be called philosophy, for it so unreasonably performs its own duties that it robs God, to whom the preeminence belongs, of his own rights. Let us then remember that the life of a Christian is not complete in all its parts unless we attend to faith as well as to love.

To the full assurance of hope, or, to the certainty of hope, and so on. Since those who professed the Christian faith were distracted by various opinions, or were still entangled in many superstitions, he urges them to be so fixed in firm faith as no longer to waver nor be driven here and there, suspended between alternating winds of doubts. This injunction is, however, applicable to all; for, as the truth of God is unchangeably fixed, so faith, which relies on him, when it is true, ought to be certain, surmounting every doubt. It is a full assurance, πληροφορία, an undoubting persuasion, when the godly mind firmly concludes that it is not right to question what God, who cannot deceive or lie, has spoken.

The word hope is here to be taken for faith, because of its affinity to it. The Apostle, however, seems to have intentionally used it, because he was speaking of perseverance. And from this we may conclude how far short of faith is that general knowledge which the ungodly and the devils have in common; for they also believe that God is just and true, yet they derive no good hope from this, because they do not take hold of his paternal favor in Christ. Let us then know that true faith is always connected with hope.

He said to the end, or perfection; and he said this so that they might know that they had not yet reached the goal, and were therefore to think of further progress. He mentioned diligence so that they might know that they were not to sit down idly, but to strive in earnest. For it is not a small thing to ascend above the heavens, especially for those who hardly creep on the ground and when innumerable obstacles are in the way. There is indeed nothing more difficult than to keep our thoughts fixed on things in heaven, when the whole power of our nature inclines downwards, and when Satan or numberless devices draw us back to the earth. For this reason, he urges us to beware of sloth or softness.