Hebrews 6:1a,3-12 KJV

Diligent Faith in Jesus, Inherits the Promise

 (REVISED 9-9-2014: to address a question in the comments)

What it says:

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;….
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
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,
6 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.
7 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:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 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.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

What it means:

This is a somewhat difficult passage to interpret, but it is even more difficult to read if you are already under conviction for some sin you may have done. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is meant to bring us back to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and relieve the burden of our sin but if this particular passage is misinterpreted, some people can get the wrong idea. Let me assure you, if you are in earnest, or even only a little interested, in doing a Bible study, that is evidence that you have not committed the unpardonable sin, or the sin unto death as it is called in the writings of the Apostle John.

Believer's Bible Commentary: Some earnest Christians are troubled when they read Hebrews 6 and similar passages. Satan uses these verses especially to unsettle believers who are having physical, mental, or emotional difficulties. They fear that they have fallen away from Christ and that there is no hope for restoration. They worry that they have drifted beyond redemption's point. The fact that they are even concerned about it is conclusive evidence that they are not apostates! An apostate would not have any such fears; he would brazenly repudiate Christ.

If you have not rejected the whole of Christianity and Jesus Christ, and your belief that there is a God, but have simply fallen prey to sin by the means of temptation or other distractions, then this passage does not mean you are lost and without redemption. In fact, the question is not really about our little sins. The question is about who Jesus is to us. The author of Hebrews is addressing those whom he called “babes” to stir them up to a better understanding of their relationship with Jesus and the importance of obeying Him and remaining in Him. Let us keep the end in mind, which is verse 12:

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Let’s begin:

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;….
3 And this will we do, if God permit.

The Pulpit Commentary:  i.e. press on to perfection, as aforesaid, if only (as we firmly hope and trust, see Heb_6:6, etc) you are still in a state in which God will permit advance; for (as is set forth in the following verses) there may be a retrogression from which recovery is impossible.
⦁    Retrogression – return to a worse condition (Antonym: progression)

The author of Hebrews is addressing a group of people who had been calling themselves believers for a while but many of them had done nothing to grow any farther in knowledge of Jesus or in practice of the faith. They should have been teachers by now, but they were more like suckling children instead. He feared they may be in danger of falling away.

The first thing that is needed in order to "change directions" is a reason for the change -- an answer to the question: “Why must they change the direction of their current lives?” So that is what he covers next:

Recall that what we’ve been studying in the book of Hebrews is who Jesus Christ is and what is required to remain His disciple. We’ve also already looked at what happened to those who had been saved from Egypt but fell in the wilderness from hardness of heart and unbelief, and been counseled that we should not follow in their footsteps.

Before our author begins to teach his babes, he now warns them that there is a possible danger ahead. He wants them to open their ears. He sees that they have come near a fork in the road because they have not taken on the Christian life fully. He wants to warn them away from taking the wrong path in their theology. He does not want their lack of knowledge to be their source of folly. He does not want them to fall prey to false teachers or fake prophets and their baloney doctrines simply because they have neglected to learn more of Jesus when they had the chance.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,
⦁    Impossible – not possible, unfeasible, without a solution, unattainable, unachievable, hopeless
⦁    Enlightened --  freed from ignorance and misinformation

Freed from ignorance and misinformation means to be educated in the subject of Jesus Christ: enlightened. They have heard the word. What is about to be discussed, is for those believers who are in a place where they might be heading toward “the forgetting” just like the Israelites who fell in the wilderness from hardness of heart and unbelief. These are the “dull of hearing.” If they are not careful the evil one will snatch the word out of their hearts completely.

Mat 13:19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Receiving seed by the side of the road, means they heard the word, but only in passing. They did not step up on the road and begin their journey. They are still standing beside the road, waiting for something interesting to come along. Since they did not understand it, the wicked one snatched it out of their hearts. Though they heard the word, they were not cleansed by it -- they soon forgot what they had heard. Their lives never changed.

We must keep in mind that the author of Hebrews is writing an epistle to the Hebrew people who were members of the new Christian churches who were, somehow, exhibiting the same mind set as those who refused to believe and it must have been visible by their actions. Just to be perfectly clear, he is talking about unbelievers who are among the flock of believers.

and have tasted of the heavenly gift,
⦁    Tasted – savored, experienced, felt, undergone, have gone through, have lived through, have come in contact with
⦁    Gift – present, contribution, reward, bequest, donation, endowment, grant, talent, ability, knack, aptitude, flair, skill

To "taste" something means you have had it in your own mouth and have experienced "the heavenly gift" which is from God -- the gift of grace, forgiveness of sins, and freedom in Christ, with future hope of eternal life. Since our author is speaking to “babes in Christ” he wants them to begin to understand what they might not have noticed before. The Israelites who fell had also seen the wonders and miracles of God, but they indulged in forgetting and did not believe what they had tasted.

and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
⦁    Partakers -- participant, accomplice, accessory, contributor, assistant, sharers, involved in, play a part in (Antonym: refrain)

The unskilled babes had put themselves in an unstable position by their lack of hearing, practice, obedience, study, growth, and faith in the Word of God. If we are not pressing forward, we do not simply stand still. We soon begin to fall backward teetering on the edge of temptation -- which is foolish when just a little use or practice of the word (faith the size of a mustard seed) does so much more good in life.

Mat 7:26-27  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

The person referred to here has tasted the good promises of God but may not have dined on them. They may have witnessed the miracles that Jesus did (His powers) – perhaps they were in the crowd of 5,000 who ate of the loaves and fishes. They witnessed the power of the Living God but did not see what it truly was, or grasp hold of the hope in Him firmly. They had glimpsed the power of Jesus Christ but did not seek Him for the right reasons. They had not come to Him to know the Father, they came to eat the free bread. They were like those who had fallen in the wilderness

Joh 6:26-29  Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Look again at this list from Hebrews:

The babe in question must:

1. have been once enlightened (they have heard the word of Jesus)
2. have tasted of the heavenly gift (been thrilled by what they saw in Jesus)
3. have been made a partaker of the Holy Ghost (the door to salvation has been opened unto them)
4. have tasted the good word of God (have heard the word of God themselves)
5. have tasted the powers of the world to come. (Have seen the miracles and wonders that hint at the world to come.)

But they lacked understanding. If you really consider this list you will see that this person had been given much. Yet, we know our author is addressing the babes who had not put what they knew into practice in their lives. They had not completely wandered away, or off the deep end, but they were on the verge.

Perhaps they were sociable people who liked to hang out with Christians for the free food, but they paid no attention to living the life of faith or learning more about God and Jesus Christ for themselves. Our author has noticed this attitude in them and is trying to, figuratively, splash water in their faces to wake them up. He is talking about the extremes in order to shake them up to full awareness of what could happen to them.

If they shall fall away

This is not a description of a person having a "pity party" and blaming God for a loss in their life. This is a description of a person who has become anti-Christ, after having once been one of His. This is a traitor to Christ.

1Jn 2:18-24  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

To keep things in context, we need to remember that our Hebrews author is talking to his babes in Christ who really should be teachers by now. They are not presently fully living the life of faith. He is drawing a word picture for them because he fears they are heading in a dangerous direction. He knows the consequences of this wrong direction and he is warning them away from it. He is actually throwing them a rope to try to save them…. If they will only latch on!!

If they shall fall away
⦁    Fall away – G3895 παραπίπτω, parapiptō, par-ap-ip'-to, From G3844 and G4098; to fall aside, that is, (figuratively) to apostatize: - fall away. (See: Apostasy)
⦁    Apostasy – renounce your faith, renunciation of a religious faith, abandonment of a previous loyalty, defection to the other side

Hos_4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

It is the rejection of the knowledge and teachings of God that destroys people. To fall away is to not only reject what you once said you believed – you now call it a lie. Another name for this state is “apostasy” which means you have joined the opposing team. You have left behind Jesus Christ, and all that he stands for (including the witness from the Holy Spirit) and are actively preaching against Him
⦁    Antichrist – antagonist of Jesus Christ, opponent of Jesus Christ, a person or power opposed to Jesus Christ

Apostasy should not be confused with back sliding. Back sliding is what some Christians do who do not reject Christ but simply move away from actively participating in the fellowship of Christians which often takes place at a church. They still profess a belief in Christ, even though they do not read their Bible, rarely pray unless they are in a crisis of circumstance or feelings, and they do not live a life so others can see Jesus in them. They have wandered off to the outer edges and stayed there because it is comfortable or suits them.

Sometimes people suffer a loss in their lives and, not really knowing God’s goodness deep within themselves, they get angry with Him, and “take their marbles and go home.” They don’t usually make a public announcement of their feelings, they just slink off to the shadowy corners and lick their wounds. That is not apostasy. They are not working for the enemy, they’ve been trapped by misunderstanding God, and do not know it, yet. But it can become apostasy if they go too far and begin actively working for the enemy to bring down the name of Christ and Christiandom. Apostates actively try to stamp out Christ.

I believe our author’s “babes” are probably in the category of “backsliders”. They are on the slippery slope. If a false teacher should show up, they are in danger of going over to the other side…. Because of their lack of knowledge.

to renew them again unto repentance;

"To renew them again unto repentance" is an elegant way of saying "be born again, again" or "saved twice"

“Repentance” is how we initially come to Christ and are made new in Him. We remain in that repentant state, having turned from our old ways, by continued faith in Christ. Once you are saved, you are always saved…. Unless, you decide to kick Christ in the teeth and join Satan’s team once again. After that, there is no renewal left. Our author says you cannot be saved again. You’ve made a non-refundable life-changing decision and he does not want any of his “babes” going there.

Remember this is a letter to the Hebrews. These were the people whom Christ came to save. The very first Christians were nearly all Jews. They all had families and close ties to all of the Hebrew people, but when Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, He became a controversy among them. While many heard His word and followed him, many others outright rejected him. Some of the believers had “false teachers” even in their own families and if they did not pay close attention to the truth of the word of God in Jesus, growing in grace and in knowledge of Him, they could be lead away by their own ignorance, to their own destruction.

Luk 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

BBC: The enormous guilt of apostates is indicated in the words since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame (v. 6b). This signifies a deliberate, malicious spurning of Christ, not just a careless disregard of Him. It indicates a positive betrayal of Him, a joining of forces against Him, and a ridiculing of His Person and work.

2 Peter 2:20-22:  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Hebrews 10:29-31 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance [belongeth] unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

It is clear that Jesus and all the New Testament writers warned against "falling away" or “apostasy.” If, after having received that which sanctified him, a person now calls it an unholy thing and openly despises the Spirit of grace that had been given to him, there is no more renewing available. He had already been renewed and then cast it off from him, or her, self. In ignorance they have made their bed, and in ignorance they shall remain.

1 John 1:7-10  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. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

If we confess our sins, Jesus remains faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So if you have sinned in some way, and you have come under conviction and have repented -- even many times -- Jesus remains true to us. He does not kick us out because we are not perfect -- He came to save that which had been lost.

The author of Hebrews has one more metaphor to place before our eyes to complete the warning to his hard of hearing babes:

7 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:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

God sends his rain upon the just and the unjust because he is Good and Faithful and Eternal. He is the God of love.... and of justice. God blesses the earth which drinks in His blessings and brings forth good fruit. But when God blesses the earth which drinks in His blessings and then it brings forth thorns and briers (contention, unbelief, and discord), it is rejected. Those who bring forth thorns and briers are very close to being cursed by Him and in the end they shall be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Now that the author has warned them about what happens to those who fall away, he wants to reassure them, that there is a different end in store for those who remain faithful and demonstrate the things that accompany salvation.

He calls them "beloved" as a reminder that they are not cursed, but that they are loved by God. He points out that he knows the people reading his letter are not working against the church and the Holy Ghost. He says he is "persuaded" or convinced of better things of them. He sees the signs of salvation around them, even though he had to speak of other things for a moment in order to make clear the message he has in mind for them.

He has finished giving them the reason that they need to pay heed to living the gospel fully -- the reason that his babes, who should by now be teachers, need to improve what they have been doing. He is now giving them the needed reassurances that God has not abandoned them and will not, if they do not abandon Him.

10 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.

In spite of being babes in Christ, they had still ministered to, or served, the saints in the past and they are still doing that. They had physically helped where they were able to help. They had fed and clothed and housed God's workers and would be rewarded for doing such good ministrations in His name.

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

He is now speaking to all of them. He wants them all to show the same diligence to their hope in Jesus Christ, that they have shown to the saints to whom they ministered with food, drink, and a place to teach and sleep.
⦁    Diligence – persistent effort, legal carefulness, Diligent: hard-working, industrious, meticulous, conscientious, thorough, attentive, careful, painstaking (Antonym: lazy)

How long shall they diligently hold on to the full assurance of hope? Unto the end!

BBC: First, he desires that they will show the same earnestness as the true believers have shown in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end. He wants them to go on steadfastly for Christ until the final hope of the Christian is realized in heaven. This is a proof of reality.

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

It is not by patience alone, but by the combination of both faith in God, and patience in circumstance, that we inherit the promises of God. He does not want the believers to become "slothful" or idle, or shifty in their faith as the ancestors who became carcasses in the wilderness because of their unbelief. He wants them to be rooted and grounded in Christ -- followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises of God in Jesus Christ.

Read it again, Notice your new understanding:

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;….
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
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,
6 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.
7 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:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 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.
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.