and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The "powers of the age to come" weren't just abstract future blessings; they were tangible, miraculous manifestations of God's power that inaugurated the Messianic era, and believers could experience them firsthand. This means the verse points to a real, powerful encounter with God's kingdom breaking into the present, not just a hopeful anticipation of heaven.
and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is urging readers to move beyond the foundational teachings of Christianity, like repentance and faith, towards deeper spiritual maturity. He's describing people who have experienced significant spiritual blessings, including the goodness of God's word and the powerful demonstrations of God's kingdom. However, the context immediately following warns against the danger of falling away after receiving such profound experiences, suggesting these blessings were real but not necessarily saving.
Ever wonder what it means to truly 'taste' God's Word? It's more than just reading; it's an experience that nourishes the soul.
In Hebrews 6:5, the writer uses the vivid phrase 'tasted the good word of God.' This isn't just intellectual assent; it's a sensory experience, like savoring delicious food.
More Than Just Knowing
What are the 'powers of the age to come,' and how could someone experience them before that age fully arrives?
The phrase 'powers of the age to come' points to the incredible, unfolding reality of God's future kingdom, which is already breaking into our present reality.
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A Glimpse of the Future
Understand the original words
chrestos · Greek Adjective
The manifestation of God's nature, favor, or acts that are inherently beneficial, morally right, and pleasing. It reflects the essential character of God as the source of all that is truly good.
aion mellon · Greek Noun phrase
The future era or kingdom reign of God, initiated by Christ's first coming and to be fully consummated at His return. The 'powers' refer to the miracles and transformative effects of that future reality present in the current age.
The verse describes individuals who have experienced the transformative power of the gospel, including witnessing miracles and experiencing the Holy Spirit's work, during the early church era following Pentecost.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33
Jesus' Ministry and Ascension
Jesus' earthly ministry, miracles, teachings, death, and resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. His ascension marked the inauguration of the new age.
c. AD 33— this verse
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus' followers, empowering them to preach the gospel with boldness and perform miracles, signifying the 'powers of the age to come' becoming manifest.
c. AD 33 - 60s
Early Church Growth and Spread
The gospel spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire, with numerous conversions and the establishment of churches, often facing persecution.
c. AD 62
Likely Date of Hebrews' Writing
The Epistle to the Hebrews was likely written during a period of intense persecution or spiritual testing for Jewish Christians, urging them toward maturity and perseverance.
This passage directly echoes the idea of 'tasting' God's goodness, emphasizing the personal experience and sweetness found in His word and promises.
Matthew 13:20-21Jesus' parable of the sower illustrates how some people initially receive the word with joy but lack deep roots, paralleling the temporary experience of God's goodness described in Hebrews 6.
John 6:63This verse highlights that Jesus' words are Spirit and life, connecting to the 'goodness of the word of God' as a source of spiritual vitality and power that believers experience.
Acts 24:25The account of Felix trembling before Paul's message about righteousness, self-control, and judgment shows an individual experiencing the powerful impact of God's word and the 'powers of the age to come' without true repentance.
Hebrews 2:4This verse, also from Hebrews, speaks of God bearing witness through signs, wonders, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, directly relating to the 'powers of the age to come' that were manifested in the early church.
ellicottHebrews 6:5: "And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,"
(5) Tasted the good word of God. —There is a change of construction in the Greek which suggests that the words rather mean, tasted that God’s word is goody —tasted the excellence of God’s word, and of the powers, &c. God’s word was “spoken through the Lord” ( Hebrews 2:3 ); the Hebrew Christians had heard and received this word, and had proved for themselves its excellence. (Comp. 1Peter 2:3 .) Powers of t…
pooleHebrews 6:5: "And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,"
And have tasted the good word of God; so as to relish comfort and sweetness in the doctrine and promises of the gospel through self-flattery; for these hearing of pardon of sin, and crediting it, are filled with joy by it; as a condemned malefactor, hearing of a general pardon, believeth himself to be one of the pardoned, and rejoiceth in it: see Matthew 13:20,21 Lu 8:13 . So did many of the Jews rejoice i…
The "powers of the age to come" weren't just abstract future blessings; they were tangible, miraculous manifestations of God's power that inaugurated the Messianic era, and believers could experience them firsthand. This means the verse points to a real, powerful encounter with God's kingdom breaking into the present, not just a hopeful anticipation of heaven.
The author is urging readers to move beyond the foundational teachings of Christianity, like repentance and faith, towards deeper spiritual maturity. He's describing people who have experienced significant spiritual blessings, including the goodness of God's word and the powerful demonstrations of God's kingdom. However, the context immediately following warns against the danger of falling away after receiving such profound experiences, suggesting these blessings were real but not necessarily saving.
The author is urging readers to move beyond the foundational teachings of Christianity, like repentance and faith, towards deeper spiritual maturity. He's describing people who have experienced significant spiritual blessings, including the goodness of God's word and the powerful demonstrations of God's kingdom. However, the context immediately following warns against the danger of falling away after receiving such profound experiences, suggesting these blessings were real but not necessarily saving.
"and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come," — The "powers of the age to come" weren't just abstract future blessings; they were tangible, miraculous manifestations of God's power that inaugurated the Messianic era, and believers could experience…
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Last reviewed October 2026