Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this will we do, if God permit.
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,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 6 is a crucial passage nestled within a larger warning that begins in Hebrews 5. The author, concerned about the spiritual stagnation of his readers, urges them to move beyond the elementary principles of the faith and strive for maturity. He fears they are not ready for the deeper truths he longs to share, particularly regarding the priesthood of Melchizedek, which he will return to in Hebrews 7. This chapter serves as both a challenge and an encouragement, highlighting the dangers of spiritual complacency while simultaneously pointing to the unwavering promises of God and the steadfast hope found in Christ. It's a call to persevere, trust, and grow.
Leaving the Elementary Principles
Hebrews 6:1-3 calls us to move beyond the basics. The author urges his audience to "leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity." Laying a solid foundation of repentance, faith, baptism, instruction about resurrection, and eternal judgment is essential, but it's not meant to be the final destination. Spiritual growth is a journey, not a static position. Like children who must eventually move beyond milk to solid food, believers must pursue deeper understanding and application of God's Word. This growth, however, is not achieved through our own power alone. As Hebrews 6:3 reminds us, "And God permitting, we will do so," acknowledging that God is the one who enables growth. We decide to grow; God permits the growth.
The Peril of Falling Away
Hebrews 6:4-6 is a particularly challenging and often misunderstood passage. It speaks of those "who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away." This passage describes individuals who have experienced significant exposure to the Christian faith. They were enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of God's Word and the powers of the coming age (6:4-5). The question is: are these genuine believers? Some argue that these are merely those who have been exposed to Christianity but never truly embraced it. However, the language used is strong enough to suggest these are people who have had a real experience of the Gospel.
The passage continues by stating that "it is impossible to bring them back to repentance—to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." This verse raises the difficult question of whether a true believer can lose their salvation. However, other scriptures affirm the eternal security of believers (John 6:37-40, 10:26-29, Romans 8:28-39, Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 John 5:13). If believers can lose their salvation, it also suggests that it's impossible for them to return to Christ. Yet, we know that those who deny Jesus can repent and return to Him.
The key to understanding this passage lies in the context of the author's exhortation to "go on to maturity" (6:1). The author is addressing believers who are in danger of developing hardened, rebellious hearts due to their refusal to grow spiritually. To persist in this state is to forget what God has done for you, acting like those who crucified the Son of God and held him up to contempt (6:6). To stubbornly refuse to follow Christ in obedience is to mock Him.
The impossibility of renewal to repentance is not about God's inability to forgive, for "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Rather, it speaks to the state of the individual's heart. When someone gets to such a point, it requires God bringing cataclysmic events into their lives as a wake-up call. Their hearts have become so hardened that only a drastic intervention by God can break through.
The Illustration of the Land
Hebrews 6:7-8 offers an illustration to further clarify the point. A field that receives rain and produces a useful crop is blessed. However, if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
This is not a description of eternal judgment. The fire mentioned here is not the fire of hell, but the fire of God’s discipline, the fire of God's judgment during one's earthly life (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Like the land that is burned to remove the thorns and thistles, God's discipline is meant to purify and restore us, making us productive again.
Encouragement and Hope
Despite the stern warning, the author expresses confidence in his readers (Hebrews 6:9). He believes that they possess better qualities and that God has good things in store for them. He reminds them of their past acts of love and service (6:10), assuring them that God is just and will not forget their work.
The author urges them to continue in diligence, demonstrating the same eagerness to the end, so that they may be fully assured of their hope (6:11). He encourages them to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised (6:12).
God’s purpose in saving you was not merely so you could go to heaven when you die; he wants to use you here until you die. And then reward you with your kingdom inheritance when he returns (see Luke 19:11-19). By developing in maturity and usefulness, you will obtain your full inheritance. This inheritance is not your salvation; rather, it’s the good things God has in store for you in this life and in the life to come.
The Example of Abraham
To further encourage perseverance, the author points to the example of Abraham (Hebrews 6:13-15). God made a promise to Abraham and confirmed it with an oath. Abraham waited patiently, and after a long time, he received what was promised. God's promises are secure because they are guaranteed by His own character.
To demonstrate his unchangeable purpose, God guaranteed his promise by swearing an oath (6:16-17). Now, of course, it is impossible for God to lie. To do so, he would have to cease being God. But by these two unchangeable things—the promise and the oath—he gives his children strong encouragement to seize the hope set before them (6:18-19). Hope is a confident expectation of God fulfilling his promises.
God made a promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, but many years passed before he swore the oath in Genesis 22:16-17. In between, there was a long gap of preparation.
During gaps, God prepares the promise for the person and prepares the person for the promise. In the case of Israel, God made a promise to deliver the land of Canaan to them. But during their time of preparation, they refused to move forward. So the oath God swore to them was a negative one: “They will not enter my rest” (Hebrews 3:11). This is why persevering in faith is so important.
An Anchor for the Soul
Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." This hope enters "the inner sanctuary behind the curtain," a reference to the Most Holy Place in the temple. This is where Jesus, our High Priest, has entered on our behalf (6:20), having become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that the Christian life is not meant to be stagnant. We are called to grow, to persevere, and to trust in the unwavering promises of God. While the warning against falling away is serious, it is ultimately a call to embrace the hope we have in Christ and to press on toward maturity, knowing that He is faithful to guide us and keep us secure.
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this will we do, if God permit.
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,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 6 is a crucial passage nestled within a larger warning that begins in Hebrews 5. The author, concerned about the spiritual stagnation of his readers, urges them to move beyond the elementary principles of the faith and strive for maturity. He fears they are not ready for the deeper truths he longs to share, particularly regarding the priesthood of Melchizedek, which he will return to in Hebrews 7. This chapter serves as both a challenge and an encouragement, highlighting the dangers of spiritual complacency while simultaneously pointing to the unwavering promises of God and the steadfast hope found in Christ. It's a call to persevere, trust, and grow.
Leaving the Elementary Principles
Hebrews 6:1-3 calls us to move beyond the basics. The author urges his audience to "leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity." Laying a solid foundation of repentance, faith, baptism, instruction about resurrection, and eternal judgment is essential, but it's not meant to be the final destination. Spiritual growth is a journey, not a static position. Like children who must eventually move beyond milk to solid food, believers must pursue deeper understanding and application of God's Word. This growth, however, is not achieved through our own power alone. As Hebrews 6:3 reminds us, "And God permitting, we will do so," acknowledging that God is the one who enables growth. We decide to grow; God permits the growth.
The Peril of Falling Away
Hebrews 6:4-6 is a particularly challenging and often misunderstood passage. It speaks of those "who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away." This passage describes individuals who have experienced significant exposure to the Christian faith. They were enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of God's Word and the powers of the coming age (6:4-5). The question is: are these genuine believers? Some argue that these are merely those who have been exposed to Christianity but never truly embraced it. However, the language used is strong enough to suggest these are people who have had a real experience of the Gospel.
The passage continues by stating that "it is impossible to bring them back to repentance—to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." This verse raises the difficult question of whether a true believer can lose their salvation. However, other scriptures affirm the eternal security of believers (John 6:37-40, 10:26-29, Romans 8:28-39, Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 John 5:13). If believers can lose their salvation, it also suggests that it's impossible for them to return to Christ. Yet, we know that those who deny Jesus can repent and return to Him.
The key to understanding this passage lies in the context of the author's exhortation to "go on to maturity" (6:1). The author is addressing believers who are in danger of developing hardened, rebellious hearts due to their refusal to grow spiritually. To persist in this state is to forget what God has done for you, acting like those who crucified the Son of God and held him up to contempt (6:6). To stubbornly refuse to follow Christ in obedience is to mock Him.
The impossibility of renewal to repentance is not about God's inability to forgive, for "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Rather, it speaks to the state of the individual's heart. When someone gets to such a point, it requires God bringing cataclysmic events into their lives as a wake-up call. Their hearts have become so hardened that only a drastic intervention by God can break through.
The Illustration of the Land
Hebrews 6:7-8 offers an illustration to further clarify the point. A field that receives rain and produces a useful crop is blessed. However, if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
This is not a description of eternal judgment. The fire mentioned here is not the fire of hell, but the fire of God’s discipline, the fire of God's judgment during one's earthly life (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Like the land that is burned to remove the thorns and thistles, God's discipline is meant to purify and restore us, making us productive again.
Encouragement and Hope
Despite the stern warning, the author expresses confidence in his readers (Hebrews 6:9). He believes that they possess better qualities and that God has good things in store for them. He reminds them of their past acts of love and service (6:10), assuring them that God is just and will not forget their work.
The author urges them to continue in diligence, demonstrating the same eagerness to the end, so that they may be fully assured of their hope (6:11). He encourages them to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised (6:12).
God’s purpose in saving you was not merely so you could go to heaven when you die; he wants to use you here until you die. And then reward you with your kingdom inheritance when he returns (see Luke 19:11-19). By developing in maturity and usefulness, you will obtain your full inheritance. This inheritance is not your salvation; rather, it’s the good things God has in store for you in this life and in the life to come.
The Example of Abraham
To further encourage perseverance, the author points to the example of Abraham (Hebrews 6:13-15). God made a promise to Abraham and confirmed it with an oath. Abraham waited patiently, and after a long time, he received what was promised. God's promises are secure because they are guaranteed by His own character.
To demonstrate his unchangeable purpose, God guaranteed his promise by swearing an oath (6:16-17). Now, of course, it is impossible for God to lie. To do so, he would have to cease being God. But by these two unchangeable things—the promise and the oath—he gives his children strong encouragement to seize the hope set before them (6:18-19). Hope is a confident expectation of God fulfilling his promises.
God made a promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, but many years passed before he swore the oath in Genesis 22:16-17. In between, there was a long gap of preparation.
During gaps, God prepares the promise for the person and prepares the person for the promise. In the case of Israel, God made a promise to deliver the land of Canaan to them. But during their time of preparation, they refused to move forward. So the oath God swore to them was a negative one: “They will not enter my rest” (Hebrews 3:11). This is why persevering in faith is so important.
An Anchor for the Soul
Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." This hope enters "the inner sanctuary behind the curtain," a reference to the Most Holy Place in the temple. This is where Jesus, our High Priest, has entered on our behalf (6:20), having become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that the Christian life is not meant to be stagnant. We are called to grow, to persevere, and to trust in the unwavering promises of God. While the warning against falling away is serious, it is ultimately a call to embrace the hope we have in Christ and to press on toward maturity, knowing that He is faithful to guide us and keep us secure.