Hebrews 6:5

Hebrews 6:5

And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

a. YLT: And did taste the good saying of God, the powers also of the coming age, [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. ASV: And tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Peshitta Eastern Text: And have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come.  [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT.Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1961 by A.J. Holmon Co.; Copyright  Ⓒ 1939 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1967  by A.J. Holmon Co.;  Copyright  Ⓒ 1940 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; Copyright  Ⓒ 1957 by A.J. Holmon Co. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

d. Classic Amplified: And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Wuest Translation: And tasted the good word of God, also the powers [miracles] of the age that is about to come. [The New Testament: An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest. ©️ Copyright Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1961. All rights reserved.] 

1. “And have tasted the good word of God…”

a. And [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. have tasted [Strong: 1089 geuomai ghyoo'-om-ahee a primary verb; to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience (good or ill):--eat, taste.] [Thayer: to taste, to try the flavour of, to taste, i.e. perceive the flavour of, partake of, enjoy, to feel, make trial of, experience, to take food, eat, to take nourishment, eat.]

c. the good [Strong: 2570 kalos kal-os' of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from 18, which is properly intrinsic):--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.]

d. word [Strong: 4487 rhema hray'-mah from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.]

e. of God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). Scripture is to be obeyed by eating and drinking.

a). 1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

b). Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

c). Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

2. “…and the powers of the world to come.”

a. and [Strong: 5037 te teh a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of 2532):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.]

b. the powers [Strong: 1411 * dunamis][Strong: specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

1). The Greek word used for powers is the same Greek word used in Acts when speaking of the power of the Holy Ghost.

a). Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

b). Surely part of the powers of the world to come refers to the gifts of the Spirit being experienced unrestrained by our fleshly limitations. It includes all the power given to us in the New Covenant.

c). The powers of the resurrection and of the tongue. 

(1) Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

(2) Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

d). And the power of faith:

(1) Matthew 8:5-13  And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

c. of the world [Strong: 165 aion ahee-ohn' from the same as 104; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):--age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end).]

d. to come [Strong: 3195 mello mel'-lo a strengthened form of 3199 (through the idea of expectation); to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation):--about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.]

1). This phrase has intrigued me for a long time, for at least 20 years. It no doubt refers to the Millennial Reign of Christ and the Perfect Dispensation that will follow the Millennial. The Scripture says that we can taste or experience “the powers of the world to come.” No doubt some of the powers of the world to come refer to the authority we were given in Christ. Notice though it declares the authority can be experienced now and in the world to come.

a). Ephesians 1:19-23 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

1:23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

(1) Notice it mentions “all” principality, and might, and dominion, not just the evil. We know that Paul here is referring to angelic beings. We also know that the church has been given authority over evil principalities (Acts 16:15-18; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 16:16-18). Here Paul writes “all” so it includes the good angelic beings also.

(2) Another way to look at this is considering our position in Christ. We are “in Christ”, seated next to Father. There is no space or level between us and Christ where the angelic ranks would be inserted and over us.

(3) The authority over angels is part of our authority in this world, and in the world to come.    

b). Revelation 2:26, 27 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.