Hebrews 6:1 says “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God”. This verse mentions “repentance from dead works” as one of the foundational teachings of Christianity that believers should move on from once they have grasped it.
To understand what “repentance from dead works” means, we need to examine the context of the verse, the meaning of “dead works”, and the meaning of repentance. By looking at these key concepts, we can gain insight into this important doctrine.
The Context of Hebrews 6:1
The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to reject Christ and return to Judaism. Hebrews explains how Jesus is superior to the Jewish law, priests, and sacrifices. Throughout the epistle, the writer warns against “falling away” from faith in Christ (Hebrews 6:6).
In chapter 5, the author scolds the readers for being “dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11). They had failed to grow spiritually and were still stuck on spiritual “milk” rather than mature “solid food” (Hebrews 5:12-14). The writer wants them to press on to deeper doctrines.
This sets the stage for Hebrews 6:1-3, where the author lists some foundational teachings that believers should have already grasped and moved past. These include:
- Repentance from dead works
- Faith in God
- Instructions about baptisms
- Laying on of hands
- Resurrection of the dead
- Eternal judgment
The writer expects his readers to have understood and embraced these core doctrines already. Now it is time to “press on to maturity” and to more advanced biblical truth (Hebrews 6:1). “Repentance from dead works” is listed first among these essential teachings.
What are “Dead Works”?
To comprehend “repentance from dead works,” we must grasp what Scripture means by “dead works.” The phrase shows up 4 times in Hebrews (6:1, 9:14, 9:26, and 13:7). The Greek word for “dead” here is nekros, meaning literally “a corpse.”
“Dead works,” then, are works or deeds that are devoid of life and useless from a spiritual perspective. They do not lead to righteousness or salvation. In fact, they defile the conscience (Hebrews 9:14).
Throughout Hebrews, the dead works in view appear to be the rituals and sacrifices of the Old Covenant:
- “The blood of goats and bulls cannot take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4)
- “He abolishes the first [covenant] in order to establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9)
- “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10)
The sacrifices and ceremonies mandated by the law of Moses could never provide eternal redemption (Hebrews 10:1-4). Though given by God, these acts had become “dead works” for the Hebrew believers. The Old Covenant was “obsolete” and “ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:13).
The book of Hebrews constantly elevates Christ above the law. Trusting in rituals and regulations for justification was futile. Salvation could only come through faith in Jesus (Hebrews 7:19).
Repentance from Dead Works
Given this background, “repentance from dead works” calls believers to turn away from ineffective, man-made religious rituals, and instead trust wholly in the death of Jesus Christ for salvation. Reliance on any other basis is rejecting the all-sufficiency of the cross.
Repentance means changing one’s mind. It involves turning from sin, self-effort, and idolatry, to serve the true and living God. Concerning dead works, it means recognizing the futility of Old Covenant ceremonies for redemption. One must lay aside confidence in such acts (Hebrews 6:1).
This does not mean the moral commandments of the law are invalid. The New Testament calls believers to ongoing repentance from specific sins. But regarding redemption, ceremonies and regulations are powerless to justify (Galatians 2:16). Salvation is through grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone.
Some key principles we can take from this doctrine:
- No amount of human effort or religious ritual can earn salvation.
- Trusting in our own good works is offensive to God (Isaiah 64:6).
- We must rely fully on Christ’s atonement for redemption.
- True saving faith transforms both heart and actions.
- Repentance is a lifelong process as we progress in holiness.
Repentance from dead works reminds us to reject all confidence in human achievement or religious ritual for salvation. Instead, we must cling solely to the death and resurrection of Jesus by faith. This doctrine highlights the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice for sinners.
Dead Works in Other New Testament Books
While “dead works” in Hebrews focuses mainly on Jewish ceremonies, the concept appears in other books also. Any human effort to earn righteousness apart from Christ qualifies as a “dead work.”
Romans 3:27-28
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Trying to justify oneself by good deeds is boasting in dead works. We can only be saved through faith in Christ.
Galatians 2:16
Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Seeking right standing with God through obedience to the law is futile. Righteousness is only through faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Salvation is by grace through faith, not by our good deeds. Thus, boasting is excluded.
Philippians 3:4-9
If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
Paul counted his most impressive moral achievements as worthless for salvation. He relied fully on Christ’s righteousness.
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Salvation is by God’s mercy, not human works done in righteousness.
All efforts to earn salvation by good works are futile. Jesus’ perfect sacrifice is the only basis for redemption and right standing with God. Turning from dead works means relying fully on Christ’s finished work.
Examples of Dead Works
Scripture is clear that human effort cannot provide redemption. What are some examples of “dead works” that believers must repent of?
1. Ritual Observances
For Jewish Christians, this meant no longer trusting in rituals like circumcision, Sabbath keeping, or temple sacrifices for justification. More broadly, it includes baptism, confirmation, church membership, taking communion, etc. These have value but cannot earn salvation.
2. Self-Discipline
Pursuing self-denial, extreme asceticism, vows of poverty, celibacy, etc. cannot merit salvation. At best, these represent human effort to earn righteousness.
3. Acts of Penance
Historically, some believers have relied on acts of penance like pilgrimages, paying indulgences, reciting prayers, etc. to try to atone for sin. But these dead works cannot cleanse sin or undo spiritual death.
4. Philanthropy
Giving to charity, feeding the poor, and other noble deeds cannot earn salvation. Good works are fruits of salvation but cannot purchase it.
5. Moral Living
Living an honest life, avoiding drunkenness or promiscuity, and having good manners does not merit heaven. Righteousness is imputed by faith, not earned by obedience.
6. Religious Knowledge
Being educated in theology, memorizing Scripture, or serving in church does not guarantee salvation. Head knowledge without heart repentance is worthless.
In summary, repentance from dead works means renouncing any reliance on human effort, religious ritual, or obedience to the law as the basis for salvation. Instead, we rest solely on Christ’s atoning sacrifice and resurrection received by faith alone.
Repenting from Dead Works in the Christian Life
While repentance from dead works occurs definitively at conversion, it should also characterize the ongoing Christian life. Believers must remind themselves that salvation is never merited by good behavior.
Whenever we think God is pleased with us because of prayer, Bible reading, service, or spiritual disciplines, we are embracing dead works. Even years into following Christ, it’s possible to slip into subtle works righteousness. We try to earn what Christ already purchased freely by grace.
Indicators we may be repenting from dead works insufficiently:
- Pride when we obey or perform well spiritually
- Guilt or shame when we fail or sin
- Viewing spiritual disciplines as debts to be repaid rather than grace to receive
- Thinking we must “do our part” to earn or keep salvation
- Looking down on other believers who seem less disciplined
- Overemphasis on external acts over the heart’s motivations
Repenting from dead works requires preaching the gospel to ourselves daily. Salvation is completely Christ’s work for us, not our work for Him. Believing firmly in justification by faith alone fosters humility, freedom, and gratitude in our spiritual walk.
Conclusion
Repentance from dead works is turning from any human effort to earn salvation, instead trusting wholly in Christ’s atoning sacrifice. This foundational doctrine elevates the sufficiency of the cross. Jesus’ resurrection power, not our religious devotion, redeems and transforms. Believers must continually repent of using good behaviors to earn favor with God. By grace we have been saved through faith.