The fascinating reformed theology paradox of Hebrew 6:4-6

[Mercy Shown]

They were believers who fell away. they had once been enlightened. Only believers are enlightened. Believers are in the light not in darkness.

"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; " (Ephesians 1:15-18 KJV)

We also read in the same book of Hebrews

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” (Hebrews 3:1 KJV)

Notice first that he is talking to believers here and includes himself in all words.

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" (Hebrews 3:12-14 KJV)

So it is not works that saves or causes us to lose it, but unbelief. To try and say a believer can never have an evil heart of "unbelief" is contrary to scripturre.

Seek the revelation of God by the Spirit and the anointing teaches all things. And we put on Christ and make no provisions for the flesh, we do not fear men.

This is so true. We need the teaching of Christ. God uses men to spread the Gospel, but the Holy Spirit gives us the understanding.

 

[B Griffin]

Context context context!!!!
Hebrews 5:11-14 Weymouth
11 Concerning Him we have much to say, and much that it would be difficult to make clear to you, since you have become so dull of apprehension. (((Context - they were unable to receive mature teaching)))
12 For although, considering the long time you have been believers, you ought now to be teachers of others, you really need some one to teach you over again the very rudiments of the truths of God, and you have come to require milk instead of solid food.
(((Context - They needed someone to teach the rudimnent of the teaching all over again... milk vs solid food)))
13 By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness.
(((Context - They were milk drinkers, not mature in their teaching)))
14 Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults--that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil. (((Context - So immature were they in their teaching diet, that they were babes in their doctrine)))

There is nothing in these verses about their salvation or sin. It is all about the word immaturity of the Hebrew Christians.

Hebrews 6:1-3 Weymouth
1 Therefore leaving elementary instruction about the Christ, let us advance to mature manhood and not be continually re-laying a foundation of repentance from lifeless works and of faith in God,
(((Context - must move on from the elementary teachings.)))
2 or of teaching about ceremonial washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and the last judgement.
(((Context - continues to list out the elementary teachings. Nothing whatsoever to do their with salvation or sin)))
3 And advance we will, if God permits us to do so.
(((Context - Question: Permit them to do what? Answer - Permit the to "advance to mature manhood" teaching. Not a word here about their sin or lost of salvation.)))

One must enter into the next verses with the continued context of this passage. To suddenly change the context from the discussion of Word Maturity to sin and salvation is bad analysis! The verses that follow must both continue on in the context of the passage AND address the final statement "if God permit."

So many of us are so sin-conscious that we automatically assume everything is about sin and salvation. Of course, these are very important! But if we change the context from "doctrinal maturity" to "sin and salvation," we miss entirely what is being said.

You are making an interesting point which I have not thought of before. But Hebrews 6:9 certainly ties the discussion to salvation, right? At a minimum, we can conclude from 6:9 that the manner of speach in the previous verses conjurs ip thoughts about not having salvation.

My take on the context is that the writer of Hebrews is hitting the same subject matter for almost the entire book of Hebrews and chapter 6 is no different. The Hebrews were grappling with the upheaval of their long-held religion. They were confronted with Christ being the promised Savior, the end of animal sacrifices (replaced with Jesus by the Spirit offering Himself without spot to God one time), the replacement of their high priest on earth with One who serves in that role from Heaven, and many other things.

The writer of Hebrews warned them throughout the Book of Hebrews to not take lightly this change in their religion and told them plainly that they must embrace it fully and rest all their hope in Christ or else they will not be saved. Here are a few of the instances where this warning was given:

• Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation (Heb 2:1–3).
• but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end (Heb 3:6)
• For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end (Heb 3:14)
• For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (Heb 3:16–19)
• Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience (Heb 4:6).
• For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb 4:10–13)
• And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Heb 6:11–12)

After these warnings to not stop short of full confidence in Christ, the writer gives a full-throated rationalle for Christ being worthy of their full confidence in Hebrews 6:13-10:18. The punchline of that discussion is the reiteration of the call to put all their trust in Christ because He is the most trustworthy person in the universe:

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Heb 10:19–23)​

And again the same warning... If anyone falls short of full confidence in Christ, then their end is not good.

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:26–31)​

So to me, the warnings of the entire Book of Hebrews are consistent with what is said in Hebrews 4:10-13. Namely, it is that God sees everything going on inside a person's heart. He knows whether or not they have ceased from their works and have rested their hope fully on Christ. Failing to do so is a bad deal.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

You are making an interesting point which I have not thought of before. But Hebrews 6:9 certainly ties the discussion to salvation, right? At a minimum, we can conclude from 6:9 that the manner of speach in the previous verses conjurs ip thoughts about not having salvation.

My take on the context is that the writer of Hebrews is hitting the same subject matter for almost the entire book of Hebrews and chapter 6 is no different. The Hebrews were grappling with the upheaval of their long-held religion. They were confronted with Christ being the promised Savior, the end of animal sacrifices (replaced with Jesus by the Spirit offering Himself without spot to God one time), the replacement of their high priest on earth with One who serves in that role from Heaven, and many other things.

The writer of Hebrews warned them throughout the Book of Hebrews to not take lightly this change in their religion and told them plainly that they must embrace it fully and rest all their hope in Christ or else they will not be saved. Here are a few of the instances where this warning was given:

• Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation (Heb 2:1–3).
• but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end (Heb 3:6)
• For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end (Heb 3:14)
• For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (Heb 3:16–19)
• Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience (Heb 4:6).
• For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb 4:10–13)
• And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Heb 6:11–12)

After these warnings to not stop short of full confidence in Christ, the writer gives a full-throated rationalle for Christ being worthy of their full confidence in Hebrews 6:13-10:18. The punchline of that discussion is the reiteration of the call to put all their trust in Christ because He is the most trustworthy person in the universe:

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Heb 10:19–23)​

And again the same warning... If anyone falls short of full confidence in Christ, then their end is not good.

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:26–31)​

So to me, the warnings of the entire Book of Hebrews are consistent with what is said in Hebrews 4:10-13. Namely, it is that God sees everything going on inside a person's heart. He knows whether or not they have ceased from their works and have rested their hope fully on Christ. Failing to do so is a bad deal.

Thank you for your lengthy and well-thought-out post. Lots to digest!
My understanding regarding the "things that accompany salvation" is that they are the things listed earlier in verses 4-5:

Hebrews 6:4-5 KJV
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come

"Things that accompany salvation"
Were enlightened,
tasted of the heavenly gift
partakers of the Holy Ghost,
tasted the good word of God,
powers of the world to come




,

 

[Clare73]

Thank you for your lengthy and well-thought-out post. Lots to digest!
My understanding regarding the "things that accompany salvation" is that they are the things listed earlier in verses 4-5:

Hebrews 6:4-5 KJV
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come

"Things that accompany salvation"
Were enlightened,
tasted of the heavenly gift
partakers of the Holy Ghost,
tasted the good word of God,
powers of the world to come

Tasting is not eating (appropriating to oneself). . .

We must feed on them.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Tasting is not eating (appropriating to oneself). . .

We must feed on them.

Thank you.

 

[B Griffin]

Thank you for your lengthy and well-thought-out post. Lots to digest!
My understanding regarding the "things that accompany salvation" is that they are the things listed earlier in verses 4-5:

Hebrews 6:4-5 KJV
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come

"Things that accompany salvation"
Were enlightened,
tasted of the heavenly gift
partakers of the Holy Ghost,
tasted the good word of God,
powers of the world to come

But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. (Heb 6:9)
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

I'm terrible at diagramming sentences. I see Part 1's "better things" as refering to things better that what were spoken of in the previous verses. And Part 2 augments the better "better things" in Part 1, contrasting the things which were said before with things that accompany salvation. And Part 3 augments Part 1 plus Part 2 to essentially say, "we believe you are saved even though we are talking to you this way".

As a side note, there is similar language after the "certain fearful expectation of judgment" speach in Hebrews 10, where the writer says, "But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" (Heb 10:39). There are three things of note here.

First, immediately preceeding this sentence is language similar to that which follows Hebrews 6:9, namely language talking about the evidence of salvation of those the writer was addressing.

Second, Hebrews 10:39 makes a delcaratory statement, "We are not of those who draw back", then another, "We are of those who believe to the saving of the soul". This is similar to the "better things that accompany salvation" language from before. Here though, the language gives no space to a misinterpretation that those in the "we" category may excercise a future choice to give up the salvation that their faith assures them of.

Third, the importance of the role that the full assurance of "faith" plays in salvation is made evident by the fact that the writer devotes an entire chapter to defining and highlighting "faith" immediately after saying, "we are of those who believe to the saving of the soul".

 

[LoveofTruth]

But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. (Heb 6:9)
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

I'm terrible at diagramming sentences. I see Part 1's "better things" as refering to things better that what were spoken of in the previous verses. And Part 2 augments the better "better things" in Part 1, contrasting the things which were said before with things that accompany salvation. And Part 3 augments Part 1 plus Part 2 to essentially say, "we believe you are saved even though we are talking to you this way".

As a side note, there is similar language after the "certain fearful expectation of judgment" speach in Hebrews 10, where the writer says, "But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" (Heb 10:39). There are three things of note here.

First, immediately preceeding this sentence is language similar to that which follows Hebrews 6:9, namely language talking about the evidence of salvation of those the writer was addressing.

Second, Hebrews 10:39 makes a delcaratory statement, "We are not of those who draw back", then another, "We are of those who believe to the saving of the soul". This is similar to the "better things that accompany salvation" language from before. Here though, the language gives no space to a misinterpretation that those in the "we" category may excercise a future choice to give up the salvation that their faith assures them of.

Third, the importance of the role that the full assurance of "faith" plays in salvation is made evident by the fact that the writer devotes an entire chapter to defining and highlighting "faith" immediately after saying, "we are of those who believe to the saving of the soul".

There is often a mixed multitude of saved and unsaved people in some gatherings. And it is a warning for those who think they stand lest they fall.

The writer says to believers in this letter,

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" ( Hebrews 3:12-14 KJV)

That evil heart of unbelief can be a danger to those who are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. It is not works that save or cause men to fall away, but unbelief. So those who may say to some believers who show scripturally that a believer can be lost after once believing and end up in the lake of fire one day are not right to simply try and put them into the "works" salvation group. They are not saying this. They know that the only works that save a believer are Gods works without them on the cross and resurrection and Gods works in them as they walk in faith and the light of Christ. These works are needful.

“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:19 KJV)

 

[LoveofTruth]

Know much theology.

Can feel the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit giving them a taste of religion (as in the seed which fell in the soil with the thorns which eventually choked it).

No, the seed is the word of God and in the parable Jesus speaks of the seed sown in the heart and those who believe it are saved, but some are saved only for a while then they fall away. And the hearing is inward, many heard Jesus words outside and he said they did not hear his word, or have his word abiding in them. But those that hear in the heart and believe for a while are saved for a while then they are not rooted deep enough and fall away. As the Sun will rise and cause the plant to dig deeper for moisture and soil, some when tried are offended and have no depth, they have other things that hinder the root.

"Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." (Luke 8:12-13 KJV)

Notice here that when a person hears and believe the word they are saved. "lest they should believe and be saved", then the second group "for a while believed" and so were saved for a while then fell away. There is no avoiding this unless a bias is adopted from the teaching of other groups.

As in Mt 7:21-23, prophesying, driving out demons, performing many miracles, yet whom Jesus never knew.

A person can be known of Jesus showing they are saved because he has covered them with his righteousness, and then they turn away and through and evil heart of unbelief fall away and he dow not know them. To know them is eternally to know then in the Light. But of they walk in darkness and the flesh and not in the light they cannot say they know him or he knows them.

Its like this sort of, lets suppose you see a man in his flesh and he is full of sin. You don't know him as a spiritual man in that state. Now lets suppose he puts on the armour of Light and are clothed with Christ, now, you don't see the old man or the flesh they are in Christ and God knows them, they are known as a spiritual man. But if they depart from that light and now are in the flesh again, they are not KNOWN as a spiritual man . God only knows eternally those who are in Christ and walk in the light. The ones who walk in the darkness and say they are in the light, (even if they were once in that light) lie and do not the truth. They never knew God in the flesh , God is only known (eternally) in the light. We must abide (remain) in him to know him. When we sin and walk in darkness and unbelief we cannot claim to know him. So if a believer knows him and then through and evil heart of unbelief departs from God God can still say to him one day "I never knew you". He never knew him in the flesh, only in the spirit can a man know God. A person cannot claim to know and see God if they walk in darkness. Be not decieved brothers and sisters, ho who does righteousness is righteous, he who does evil is of the devil ( 1 John, 3:7,8)

We see some evidence of this here

"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." ( 1 John 1:6 KJV)

and

“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.”" ( 1 John 3:6 KJV)

"But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. 25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. " ( Ezekiel 18:24-27 KJV)

Because they were never truly converted, the seed (of the gospel) had no good soil.

The seed, the word of God can take root even if there is some soil. as Jesus showed. They can be saved by believing for a while, then fall away. We see this also in the case of Judas who was once a sheep saved and sent to the lost sheep and had his name eventually blotted out of the book of life and not with the righteous any more and he was even given power as all the other 11 and then fell away.

"Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." (Luke 8:12-13 KJV)

 

[LoveofTruth]

Know much theology.

No, only believers are said to be enlightened. Only Christians have the light of Christ enlightening them. They are in the light not in the darkness.

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:8 KJV)

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” (Ephesians 5:8 KJV)

“For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.” (Psalm 18:28 KJV)

 

[BNR32FAN]

Context context context!!!!
Hebrews 5:11-14 Weymouth
11 Concerning Him we have much to say, and much that it would be difficult to make clear to you, since you have become so dull of apprehension. (((Context - they were unable to receive mature teaching)))
12 For although, considering the long time you have been believers, you ought now to be teachers of others, you really need some one to teach you over again the very rudiments of the truths of God, and you have come to require milk instead of solid food.
(((Context - They needed someone to teach the rudimnent of the teaching all over again... milk vs solid food)))
13 By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness.
(((Context - They were milk drinkers, not mature in their teaching)))
14 Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults--that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil. (((Context - So immature were they in their teaching diet, that they were babes in their doctrine)))

There is nothing in these verses about their salvation or sin. It is all about the word immaturity of the Hebrew Christians.

Hebrews 6:1-3 Weymouth
1 Therefore leaving elementary instruction about the Christ, let us advance to mature manhood and not be continually re-laying a foundation of repentance from lifeless works and of faith in God,
(((Context - must move on from the elementary teachings.)))
2 or of teaching about ceremonial washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and the last judgement.
(((Context - continues to list out the elementary teachings. Nothing whatsoever to do their with salvation or sin)))
3 And advance we will, if God permits us to do so.
(((Context - Question: Permit them to do what? Answer - Permit the to "advance to mature manhood" teaching. Not a word here about their sin or lost of salvation.)))

One must enter into the next verses with the continued context of this passage. To suddenly change the context from the discussion of Word Maturity to sin and salvation is bad analysis! The verses that follow must both continue on in the context of the passage AND address the final statement "if God permit."

So many of us are so sin-conscious that we automatically assume everything is about sin and salvation. Of course, these are very important! But if we change the context from "doctrinal maturity" to "sin and salvation," we miss entirely what is being said.

You were doing so well in your explanation why did you stop before you got to the verses were actually discussing?

”For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

This is the portion we’re discussing. You pointed to the previous verses that were not about sin or loss of salvation and stopped right before the verses that are pertaining to sin and loss of salvation.

 

[BNR32FAN]

As in Mt 7:21-23, prophesying, driving out demons, performing many miracles, yet whom Jesus never knew.

We can’t actually say that they performed any miracles, they were false prophets, who practiced lawlessness. Most likely they were liars. Jesus doesn’t acknowledge whether or not they actually performed miracles, He just says “I never knew you”. Their statement is a quote not a statement of fact.

”Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’“
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

 

[concretecamper]

This is an interesting interpretation of it. My main concern would be that it doesn't mention baptism and it uses the term "Fall Away."

Verse 2 sets the stage, and tells us of Baptism

I also wonder how this interpretation would fit with Acts 19:1-5.

John's Baptism did not save. Water Baptism does. That is why the disciples referred to in the passage were then Baptized.

 

[B Griffin]

There is often a mixed multitude of saved and unsaved people in some gatherings. And it is a warning for those who think they stand lest they fall.

The writer says to believers in this letter,
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" ( Hebrews 3:12-14 KJV)

That evil heart of unbelief can be a danger to those who are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. It is not works that save or cause men to fall away, but unbelief. So those who may say to some believers who show scripturally that a believer can be lost after once believing and end up in the lake of fire one day are not right to simply try and put them into the "works" salvation group. They are not saying this. They know that the only works that save a believer are Gods works without them on the cross and resurrection and Gods works in them as they walk in faith and the light of Christ. These works are needful.

“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:19 KJV)

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:​

​

“Today, if you will hear His voice,​

8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,​

In the day of trial in the wilderness,​

9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,​

And saw My works forty years.​

10 Therefore I was angry with that generation,​

And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart,​

And they have not known My ways.’​

11 So I swore in My wrath,​

‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”​

​

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:​

​

“Today, if you will hear His voice,​

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”​

​

16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.​

​

[The New King James Version (Heb 3:7–19). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]​

The context of this passage is clear. The Children of Israel did not enter the promised land until after they wanderd around in the desert for 40 years. All perished in that time except 3 believers (if I remember the number correctly). God swore that the unbelief of those who perished would prevent them from going in, and He kept that promise. Yet when the Psalmist wrote Psalm 95:7d-11, he was not talking primarily about the Children of Israel who were led by Moses and who perished in the desert, he was using them as an example of what happens to people in the psalmist's day who hear the Lord's voice and harden their hearts to what He says like the Children of Israel did under Moses. And when the writer of Hebrews recounts the Psalm and the warning, he reiterates that it is not about the past, but is a warning for then present-day people who hear God's voice -- they should not harden their hearts trough unbelief like the Children of Israel did under Moses. And we can take it a step further and say that today, April 7, 2024, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts through unbelief. Instead, cease from your works, rest all your hope in Christ, and enter His rest. Otherwise you will perish according to the example of unbelief set by the Israelites who perished in the desert under Moses. This passage provides no support whatsoever for believing then later perishing through unbelief.

 

[BNR32FAN]

Know much theology.

Can feel the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit giving them a taste of religion (as in the seed which fell in the soil with the thorns which eventually choked it).

As in Mt 7:21-23, prophesying, driving out demons, performing many miracles, yet whom Jesus never knew.

Who like what they hear but it never takes hold in them.

They may favor heaven and fear hell.

Because they were never truly converted, the seed (of the gospel) had no good soil.

They are rejecting the remedy (Heb 10:26), just as those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit are rejecting the remedy (Christ).

No torturing of the passage, just correct understanding in light of the whole NT, for God does not contradict himself in his word.
And where me make it contradictory, we can know that we are misunderstanding it.

The Greek word translated to enlightened means to illuminate, bring to light, reveal, make evident. This is referred to a revelation of knowledge not self derived understanding or conclusion. By the context of the statement the Holy Spirit is the source of the revelation.

”For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

 

[BNR32FAN]

Verse 2 sets the stage, and tells us of Baptism


John's Baptism did not save. Water Baptism does. That is why the disciples referred to in the passage were then Baptized.

Water baptism doesn’t save, there are billions of people who have been baptized who are not saved. Especially since in the Roman Catholic Church infants are baptized without even having a confession of faith. Just because a priest sprinkled water on their forehead doesn’t guarantee they will later become followers of Christ.

 

[Mercy Shown]

Verse 2 sets the stage, and tells us of Baptism


John's Baptism did not save. Water Baptism does. That is why the disciples referred to in the passage were then Baptized.

This is definitely the first time I have seen this passage interpreted this way. Thanks, I definitely will give this some thought.

 

[Clare73]

No, only believers are said to be enlightened.
Only Christians have the light of Christ enlightening them. They are in the light not in the darkness

The Greek word translated to enlightened means to illuminate, bring to light, reveal, make evident. This is referred to a revelation of knowledge not self derived understanding or conclusion. By the context of the statement the Holy Spirit is the source of the revelation. ”For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

There is tasting of the light, and there is feeding on the light.
Tasting of the light is not enough, one must feed on it (appropriate it to himself).

 

[Clare73]

We can’t actually say that they performed any miracles, they were false prophets, who practiced lawlessness. Most likely they were liars. Jesus doesn’t acknowledge whether or not they actually performed miracles, He just says “I never knew you”
Their statement is a quote not a statement of fact.

”Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’“
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

That is wrestling the Scriptures (2 Pe 3:16).

 

[concretecamper]

Water baptism doesn’t save

Yes it does. The Gospel attests to it and the Church has been faithful to this teaching.

there are billions of people who have been baptized who are not saved

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

Especially since in the Roman Catholic Church infants are baptized without even having a confession of faith

Because it is a free gift requiring no work of ours.

Just because a priest sprinkled water on their forehead doesn’t guarantee they will later become followers of Christ.

Probably the closest to a correct thing in your entire post.

 

[concretecamper]

This is definitely the first time I have seen this passage interpreted this way. Thanks, I definitely will give this some thought.

St John Chrysotom explains it much better than I can ever.


if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. - Hebrews 6:6

Then he adds, and have tasted of the heavenly gift. If you have tasted (he says) of the heavenly gift, that is, of forgiveness. And been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and tasted the good word of God (he is speaking here of the doctrine) and the powers of the world to come (what powers is he speaking of? Either the working of miracles, or the earnest of the Spirit 2 Corinthians 1:22) and have fallen away, to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame. Renew them, he says, unto repentance, that is, by repentance, for unto repentance is by repentance. What then, is repentance excluded? Not repentance, far from it! But the renewing again by the laver. For he did not say, impossible to be renewed unto repentance, and stop, but added how impossible, [by] crucifying afresh.

To be renewed, that is, to be made new, for to make men new is [the work] of the laver only: for (it is said) your youth shall be renewed as the eagle's. Psalm 103:5 But it is [the work of] repentance, when those who have been made new, have afterwards become old through sins, to set them free from this old age, and to make them strong. To bring them to that former brightness however, is not possible; for there the whole was Grace.

6. Crucifying to themselves, he says, the Son of God afresh, and putting Him to an open shame. What he means is this. Baptism is a Cross, and our old man was crucified with [Him] Romans 6:6, for we were made conformable to the likeness of His death Romans 6:5; Philippians 3:10, and again, we were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death. Romans 6:4 Wherefore, as it is not possible that Christ should be crucified a second time, for that is to put Him to an open shame. For if death shall no more have dominion over Him Romans 6:9, if He rose again, by His resurrection becoming superior to death; if by death He wrestled with and overcame death, and then is crucified again, all those things become a fable and a mockery. He then that baptizes a second time, crucifies Him again.

But what is crucifying afresh? [It is] crucifying over again. For as Christ died on the cross, so do we in baptism, not as to the flesh, but as to sin. Behold two deaths. He died as to the flesh; in our case the old man was buried, and the new man arose, made conformable to the likeness of His death. If therefore it is necessary to be baptized [again ], it is necessary that this same [Christ] should die again. For baptism is nothing else than the putting to death of the baptized, and his rising again.

And he well said, crucifying afresh unto themselves. For he that does this, as having forgotten the former grace, and ordering his own life carelessly, acts in all respects as if there were another baptism. It behooves us therefore to take heed and to make ourselves safe.

7. What is, having tasted of the heavenly gift? It is, of the remission of sins: for this is of God alone to bestow, and the grace is a grace once for all. What then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Far from it! Romans 6:1-2 But if we should be always going to be saved by grace we shall never be good. For where there is but one grace, and we are yet so indolent, should we then cease sinning if we knew that it is possible again to have our sins washed away? For my part I think not.

He here shows that the gifts are many: and to explain it, You were counted worthy (he says) of so great forgiveness; for he that was sitting in darkness, he that was at enmity, he that was at open war, that was alienated, that was hated of God, that was lost, he having been suddenly enlightened, counted worthy of the Spirit, of the heavenly gift, of adoption as a son, of the kingdom of heaven, of those other good things, the unspeakable mysteries; and who does not even thus become better, but while indeed worthy of perdition, obtained salvation and honor, as if he had successfully accomplished great things; how could he be again baptized?

On two grounds then he said that the thing was impossible, and he put the stronger last: first, because he who has been deemed worthy of such [blessings], and who has betrayed all that was granted to him, is not worthy to be again renewed; neither is it possible that [Christ] should again be crucified afresh: for this is to put Him to an open shame.

There is not then any second laver: there is not [indeed]. And if there is, there is also a third, and a fourth; for the former one is continually disannulled by the later, and this continually by another, and so on without end.

And tasted, he says, the good word of God; and he does not unfold it; and the powers of the world to come, for to live as Angels and to have no need of earthly things, to know that this is the means of our introduction to the enjoyment of the worlds to come; this may we learn through the Spirit, and enter into those sacred recesses.

What are the powers of the world to come? Life eternal, angelic conversation. Of these we have already received the earnest through our Faith from the Spirit. Tell me then, if after having been introduced into a palace, and entrusted with all things therein, you had then betrayed all, would you have been entrusted with them again?
8. What then (you say)? Is there no repentance? There is repentance, but there is no second baptism: but repentance there is, and it has great force, and is able to set free from the burden of his sins, if he will, even him that has been baptized much in sins, and to establish in safety him who is in danger, even though he should have come unto the very depth of wickedness. And this is evident from many places. For, says one, does not he that falls rise again? Or he that turns away, does not he turn back to [God]? Jeremiah 8:4 It is possible, if we will, that Christ should be formed in us again: for hear Paul saying, My little children of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you. Galatians 4:19 Only let us lay hold on repentance.

For behold the love of God to man! We ought on every ground to have been punished at the first; in that having received the natural law, and enjoyed innumerable blessings, we have not acknowledged our Master, and have lived an unclean life. Yet He not only has not punished us, but has even made us partakers of countless blessings, just as if we had accomplished great things. Again we fell away, and not even so does He punish us, but has given medicine of repentance, which is sufficient to put away and blot out all our sins; only if we knew the nature of the medicine, and how we ought to apply it.

What then is the medicine of Repentance and how is it made up? First, of the condemnation of our own sins; For (it is said) mine iniquity have I not hid Psalm 32:5; and again, I will confess against myself my lawlessness unto the Lord, and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my heart. And Declare thou at the first your sins, that you may be justified. Isaiah 43:26 And, The righteous man is an accuser of himself at the first speaking. Proverbs 18:17

Secondly, of great humbleness of mind: For it is like a golden chain; if one have hold of the beginning, all will follow. Because if you confess your sin as one ought to confess, the soul is humbled. For conscience turning it on itself causes it to be subdued.

Other things too must be added to humbleness of mind if it be such as the blessed David knew, when he said, A broken and a contrite heart God will not despise. Psalm 51:17 For that which is broken does not rise up, does not strike, but is ready to be ill-treated and itself rises not up. Such is contrition of heart: though it be insulted, though it be evil entreated, it is quiet, and is not eager for vengeance.

And after humbleness of mind, there is need of intense prayers, of many tears, tears by day, and tears by night: for, he says, every night, will I wash my bed, I will water my couch with my tears. I am weary with my groaning. Psalm 6:6 And again, For I have eaten ashes as it were bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. Psalm 102:9

And after prayer thus intense, there is need of much almsgiving: for this it is which especially gives strength to the medicine of repentance. And as there is a medicine among the physicians' helps which receives many herbs, but one is the essential, so also in case of repentance this is the essential herb, yea, it may be everything. For hear what the Divine Scripture says, Give alms, and all things shall be clean. Luke 11:41 And again, By almsgiving and acts of faithfulness sins are purged away. Proverbs 16:6 And, Water will quench a flaming fire, and alms will do away with great sins. Sirach 3:30

Next not being angry with any one, not bearing malice; the forgiving all their trespasses. For, it is said, Man retains wrath against man, and yet seeks healing from the Lord. Sirach 28:3 Forgive that you may be forgiven. Mark 11:25

Also, the converting our brethren from their wandering. For, it is said, Go, and convert your brethren, that your sins may be forgiven you. And from one's being in close relations with the priests, and if, it is said, a man has committed sins it shall be forgiven him. James 5:15 To stand forward in defense of those who are wronged. Not to retain anger: to bear all things meekly.

9. Now then, before you learned that it is possible to have our sins washed away by means of repentance, were ye not in an agony, because there is no second laver, and were ye not in despair of yourselves? But now that we have learned by what means repentance and remission is brought to a successful issue, and that we shall be able entirely to escape, if we be willing to use it aright, what forgiveness can we possibly obtain, if we do not even enter on the thought of our sins? Since if this were done, all would be accomplished.

For as he who enters the door, is within; so he who reckons up his own evils will also certainly come to get them cured. But should he say, I am a sinner, without reckoning them up specifically, and saying, This and this sin have I committed, he will never leave off, confessing indeed continually, but never caring in earnest for amendment. For should he have laid down a beginning, all the rest will unquestionably follow too, if only in one point he have shown a beginning: for in every case the beginning and the preliminaries are difficult. This then let us lay as a foundation, and all will be smooth and easy.

Let us begin therefore, I entreat you, one with making his prayers intense: another with continual weeping: another with downcast countenance. For not even is this, which is so small, unprofitable: for I saw (it is said) that he was grieved and went downcast, and I healed his ways. Isaiah 57:17-18

But let us all humble our own souls by almsgiving and forgiving our neighbors their trespasses, by not remembering injuries, nor avenging ourselves. If we continually reflect on our sins, no external circumstances can make us elated: neither riches, nor power, nor authority, nor honor; nay, even should we sit in the imperial chariot itself, we shall sigh bitterly: Since even the blessed David was a King, and yet he said, Every night I will wash my bed, [&c.] Psalm 6:6: and he was not at all hurt by the purple robe and the diadem: he was not puffed up; for he knew himself to be a man, and inasmuch as his heart had been made contrite, he went mourning.

10. For what are all things human? Ashes and dust, and as it were spray before the wind; a smoke and a shadow, and a leaf driven here and there; and a flower; a dream, and a tale, and a fable, wind and air vainly puffed out and wasting away; a feather that has no stay, a stream flowing by, or if there be anything of more nothingness than these.

For, tell me, what do you esteem great? What dignity do you think to be great? Is it that of the Consul? For the many think no greater dignity than that. He who is not Consul is not a whit inferior to him who is in so great splendor, who is so greatly admired. Both one and the other are of the same dignity; both of them alike, after a little while, are no more.

When was he made [Consul]? For how long a time? Tell me: for two days? Nay, this takes place even in dreams. But that is [only] a dream, you say. And what is this? For (tell me) what is by day, is it [therefore] not a dream? Why do we not rather call these things a dream? For as dreams when the day comes on are proved to be nothing: so these things also, when the night comes on, are proved to be nothing. For night and day have received each an equal portion of time, and have equally divided all duration. Therefore as in the day a person rejoices not in what happened at night, so neither in the night is it possible for him to reap the fruit of what is done in the day. You have been made Consul? So was I in the night; only I in the night, thou in the day. And what of this? Not even so have you any advantage over me, except haply its being said, Such an one is Consul, and the pleasure that springs from the words, gives him the advantage.

I mean something of this kind, for I will express it more plainly: if I say Such an one is Consul, and bestow on him the name, is it not gone as soon as it is spoken? So also are the things themselves; no sooner does the Consul appear, than he is no more. But let us suppose [that he is Consul] for a year, or two years, or three or four years. Where are they who were ten times Consul? Nowhere.

But Paul is not so. For he was, and also is living continually: he did not live one day, nor two, nor ten, and twenty, nor thirty; nor ten and twenty, nor yet thirty years— and die. Even the four hundredth year is now past, and still even yet is he illustrious, yea much more illustrious than when he was alive. And these things indeed [are] on earth; but the glory of the saints in heaven what word could set forth?

Wherefore I entreat you, let us seek this glory; let us pursue after it, that we may attain it. For this is the true glory. Let us henceforth stand aloof from the things of this life, that we may find grace and mercy in Christ Jesus our Lord: with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Ghost, be glory, power, honor and worship, now and for ever, and world without end. Amen.

- John Chrysostom

Read more commentaries at John Chrysostom on Hebrews 6:6 - Catena Bible & Commentaries