Though Hebrews includes poetic elements in its quotations of Hebrew Scripture, the form of 6:1-8 is prose for edifying purposes. It offers the exhortation in a rhetorically deliberate way, most likely utilizing Greco-Roman theories of persuasion. The first part of 6:1 begins abruptly with the introduction and thesis of the argument. …show more content…
The author displays a logical sequence of ideas and emotions in the text. By moving from a simple, non-emotionally charged command/suggestion (with a list of examples) in the first three verses, to the very emphatic following verses, he advocates strongly for what happens when you don’t follow the thesis. The cataloging of Christian identity markers highlight how good a Christian has it, and they cumulate in the severity of giving that up. Harsh, highly emotional language like “crucifying again the Son of God” represents the climax that is supposed to make the reader want to greatly avoid that conclusion. To frame that climax, the author uses an analogy to foil the right path from the wrong path, and show the further consequences of