Hebrews Chapter 6
Hebrews 6:1 MKJV Therefore, having left the discourse of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to full growth, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
In chapter 6-10 St. Paul points out the danger of falling back and away after we have become Christians. With the wonderful Bibles now at our command and with helps for Bible study, what manner of Christians ought we to be--in faith, love, obedience and courage!
There should come a time in the experience of every healthy growing child of God, when he should be able to leave the foundation doctrines. Not in the sense of abandoning them, but of allowing them to stand as tried and proved foundation stones. We should not have to learn all of these things over and over again.
There must come a time, and that before we begin to build, when we feel sure that the foundation is good and properly laid. If a man, after laying a foundation for a building, should always be digging it up and turning it over and trying to fit the stones in some other way, how soon would the building be completed?
From dead works -- All works are dead if without faith
Hebrews 6:2 MKJV of the baptisms, of doctrine, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
These “basics” are given in three pairs: repentance and faith go together. Baptisms and laying on of hands go together. Resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment go together.
b. Not laying again the foundation: Many people regard this as a Biblical list of important “foundations” for the Christian life. Bible study series have been taught developing each one of these topics, out of the thought that this is good list of basic doctrines. But that isn’t the writer’s point here at all. To understand this list, you must ask a basic question: What is distinctively Christian about this list? Where is the specific mention of Jesus or salvation by grace alone? Can you believe or practice these things and not be a follower of Jesus Christ, believing Him to be the Messiah?
i. “When we consider the ‘rudiments’ one by one, it is remarkable how little in the list is distinctive of Christianity, for practically every item could have its place in a fairly orthodox Jewish community. . . . Each of them, indeed, acquires a new significance in a Christian context; but the impression we get is that existing Jewish beliefs and practices were used as a foundation on which to build Christian truth.” (Bruce)
c. Not even baptisms, as it is used in this passage, is necessarily Christian. The specific ancient Greek word translated baptisms is not the word regularly used in the New Testament to describe Christian baptism. It is the word used on two other specific occasions (Heb_9:10 and Mar_7:4) to refer to Jewish ceremonial washings.
i. The New English Bible translation reflects this, translating doctrine of baptisms as “instruction about cleansing rites.”
d. In this case, the elementary principles to move beyond are all items in the “common ground” between Christianity and Judaism. This was a “safe” common ground these Jewish Christians retreated to.
i. Because Christianity did grow out of Judaism, it was a more subtle temptation for a Jewish Christian to slip back into Judaism than it was for a formerly pagan Christian to go back to his pagan ways.
ii. Of course, these Jewish Christians did not want to abandon religion, but they did want to make it less distinctively Christian. Therefore, they went back to this “common ground” to avoid persecution. Living in this comfortable common ground, you would not stick out so much. A Jew and a Christian together could say, “Let’s repent, let’s have faith, let’s perform ceremonial washings,” and so forth. But this was a subtle denial of Jesus.
iii. This is entirely characteristic of those who feel discouraged, and wish to give up. There is always the temptation to still be religious, but not so “fanatical” about Jesus.
Hebrews 6:3 MKJV And this we will do, if God permits.
And this will we do - We will make these advances toward a higher state of knowledge and piety. Paul had confidence that they would do it (see Heb_6:9-10), and though they had lingered long around the elements of Christian knowledge, he believed that they would yet go on to make higher attainments.
A statement of hope and dependence on God.
If God permits: This should not be taken as implying that God may not want them to go on to maturity, past those basics common to Christianity and Judaism. Instead, if God permits expresses the believers’ complete dependence on God. If we do press on to maturity, we realize that it only happens at God’s pleasure. In reference to anything that we undertake, however pleasing to God in itself, it is proper to recognize our entire dependence on God; see Jas_4:13-15.
Do you have complete dependence on God?
Hebrews 6:4 MKJV For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
The danger of falling away.
1. Understanding an approach to controversial passages like this.
a. We must first be concerned with understanding what the text says (exposition), before we are concerned with fitting what it says into a system of theology.
b. Systems of theology are important, because the Bible does not contradict itself; but the way to right systems begins with a right understanding of the text, not one that bends the text to fit into a system.
i. “We come to this passage ourselves with the intention to read it with the simplicity of a child, and whatever we find therein to state it; and if it may not seem to agree with something we have hitherto held, we are prepared to cast away every doctrine of our own, rather than one passage of Scripture.” (Spurgeon)
For it is impossible: The word impossible is put in a position of emphasis. The writer to the Hebrews is not saying it is just difficult, but truly without possibility.
a. Note the other uses of impossible in Hebrews: It is impossible for God to lie (Heb_6:18). It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats can take away sin (Heb_10:4). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb_11:6).
b. “This word *impossible stands immovable.” (Alford)
Who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come: Their experience is impressive. The big debate is whether this is the experience of salvation, or the experience of something short of salvation.
a. Enlightened: This ancient Greek word has the same meaning as the English word. These people have experienced the light of God shining upon them.
b. Tasted: This word speaks of a full, real experience (as in how Jesus tasted death in Heb_2:9). The heavenly gift is probably salvation (Rom_6:23 and Eph_2:8).
“What is the heavenly gift? It is Jesus, our Redeemer—we have eaten his flesh and drank his blood. We have believed on him as our redeemer and applied his blood unto ourselves, consciously realizing vitalized justification. From this step we cannot go back and return to the world for it is a sin.”
c. Partakers of the Holy Spirit is an unique term, having to do with receiving the Holy Spirit and having fellowship with the Holy Spirit. “Sharers of as of one family, begotten of the Spirit to a new nature, a new life as new beings.”
Are you more interested in what the Scriptures teach than what you have been taught?
Are you willing to discard any preconceived doctrines that don’t line up with all scriptures?
Hebrews 6:5 MKJV and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come,
Tasted the good word of God means they have experienced the goodness of God’s word, and have seen its work in their lives. They had eaten (in the past tense) of the Word of God, this means that these have begun to understand the deeper things, such are eating of the antitypical Shew Bread, the food of faith or those who dwell in the presence of God. Very few Christians have ever tasted much of the good word of God; they have had considerable of the perverted word.
"My good word", or "the word of My goodness", in the Targum on Isa_55:11 for it is the word of righteousness, reconciliation, peace, pardon, life, and salvation. And there is a special and spiritual taste of this good, word, which is delightful, relishing, and nourishing.
Can anyone who is not begotten by the holy Spirit truly taste of the good word of God?—1 Cor.2:14
The powers of the age of come is a way to describe God’s supernatural power. The ones written of here have indeed tasted of these powers. The powers of regeneration, the power of a new life, no longer under Adam as our father, but for the Christian, under God as our father. No longer under the sentence of death, but under an opportunity and call to an endless life of ever increasing horizons.
One of the most heated debates over any New Testament passage is focused on this text. The question is simple: Are these people who have had these impressive spiritual experiences in fact Christians? Are they God’s elect, chosen before the foundation of the world?
Commentators divide on this issue, each deciding the issue with great certainty but with no agreement.
Remember that one can have great spiritual experiences and still not be saved (Mat_7:21-23). One can even do many religious things and still not be saved. The perfect example of this are the Pharisees, who evangelized (Mat_23:15), prayed impressively (Mat_23:14), made religious commitments (Mat_23:16), tithed rigorously (Mat_23:23), honored religious traditions (Mat_23:29-31) and who fasted (Luk_18:12). One is only “saved” if they endure till the end (Mat 10:22; 24:13; Mar 13:13, 27; Heb 3:14; Rev 2:26).
Yet, from a human perspective, who would call anyone who seemed to have the credentials mentioned in Heb_6:4-5 a non-Christian? We might make that person an elder! From all human observation, we must say these are Christians spoken of in Heb_6:4-5. Natural man cannot understand things of the Spirit—so they must be begotten of the holy Spirit before they have fallen away—allowed the World, Flesh and Devil to gain a foothold in their hearts.
Have you tasted of the good Word of God?
Have you tasted of the powers of the world to come?
Do you know what the “world to come’ is?
How strong is your faith and devotion to God?
Hebrews 6:6 MKJV and who have fallen away; it is impossible, I say, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify the Son of God afresh to themselves and put Him to an open shame.
"There is a sin unto death." (1Jo_5:16) For wilful sinners "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Heb_10:26)
To fall aside.
Impossible to become new and fresh again--Cannot start over again. Jesus suffering cannot be repeated, this impresses upon us the magnitude of the offense. Since they had once had their full share of the Atonement, to renew them again would mean that again Jesus would have to be crucified and put to an open shame for their special benefit. The Atonement cannot be repeated, just because they have been careless and neglectful of their opportunities and privileges.
Put to an open shame—to show are expose. To make a show, a thing shown, an example. To expose publicly to infamy. God has done the utmost that Love in harmony with justice can do when He gave His Son to be the Redeemer of mankind. It cannot be repeated.
We have repeatedly forced upon our attention the importance of the benefits and blessings that we have received of the Lord in what we call “Present Truth.” It is for our “present” needs and it is The Truth that the Lord has been please to send that we might be fully armed for our protection and be able to stand, and to withstand, all of the assaults of the Adversary, the Enemy in this “Evil Day”.
This difficult passage is best understood in the context of Heb_6:1-2. The writer to the Hebrews means that if they do retreat back to Judaism (put themselves back under the law—like Sabbath keepers do), all the religious “repentance” in the world will do them no good. Their forsaking of Jesus (whether in word or by going back to the Law, which is Judaism) is tantamount to crucifying Him all over again, especially if they were to express their repentance in traditional Jewish forms: especially animal sacrifice, which denies the total work of Jesus for them on the cross.
If they fall away: Remember there is a great difference between falling and falling away. Falling away isn’t just falling into some sin, it is actually departing from Jesus Himself. For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity. (Pro_24:16) The difference is between a Peter and a Judas. If you depart from Jesus, there is no hope!
The message to these Christians who felt like giving up was clear: if you don’t continue on with Jesus, don’t suppose you will find salvation by just going on with the old basics that are common to Judaism; if you aren’t saved in Jesus, you aren’t saved!
If one falls like this, does it mean they can’t repent? That God prohibits their repentance? Remember first that repentance itself is a gift from God; no one genuinely repents without God’s enabling. Second, if one does repent, that in itself is evidence that they have not truly fallen away.
Are you abiding in Jesus?
Hebrews 6:7 MKJV (For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth plants fit for those by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God.
Hebrews 6:8 MKJV But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected and is a curse, whose end is to be burned.)
(Heb_6:7-8) An illustration of the serious consequences of falling away.
When the earth receives rain, and then bears useful plants, it then fulfills its purpose and justifies the blessing of rain sent upon it. The writer to the Hebrews applies the point: “You’ve been blessed. But where’s the fruit?” God is looking for what grows in us after He blesses us, especially what grows in terms of maturity.
a. But if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected: If ground that is blessed by rain refuses to bear fruit, then who can blame the farmer for burning it?
c. The picture presented reminds us that growth and bearing fruit is important to keep from falling away. When we really bear fruit, we abide in Jesus (Joh_15:5) and in no danger of falling away.
And is nigh unto cursing (KJV) - Is abandoned as useless. The word “cursing” means devoting to destruction. So the land would be regarded by the farmer. It would be valueless, and would be given up to be overrun with fire.
The object of the apostle requires him to refer merely to the “fact” of the burning, and to make use of it as an illustration of an act of punishment. So, Paul says, it would be in the dealings of God with His people. If after all attempts to secure holy living, and to keep them in the paths of salvation, they should evince none of the spirit of piety, all that could be done would be to abandon them to destruction as such a field is overrun with fire.
Divine wisdom has decided that all out of harmony, without possibility of reformation, shall be utterly destroyed. Fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31)--who is a consuming fire.
Reflecting on your life—are you producing fruit or weeds?
Hebrews 6:9 MKJV But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this way.
Don’t be discouraged! (Heb_6:9) The writer admits he is being a little more harsh than he needs to be.
a. We are confident of better things concerning you: Though he spoke so severely, the writer to the Hebrews is confident that they really will continue on in Jesus, that their perseverance is one of the things that accompany salvation.
b. Though we speak in this manner: However, it would be wrong to take Heb_6:9 to mean the warnings in the previous verses were not serious, or warned of impossible things. If anything, verse nine is a verse of encouragement; these Christians are in danger of falling away not so much out of a calculated rebellion, as because of a depressing discouragement. They need to be warned, but they also need to be encouraged!
What a lesson for us all. Paul has a positiveness regarding the future which only can be encouraging. He did not hesitate in love to warn them of the most dire consequences if they did not build carefully. Yet immediately he says, “I have confidence that these warnings will prove unnecessary.”
Accompany salvation: These things seem to be listed in verses 10-12.
Salvation’s walk seems to be accompanied by:
WORK for God by ministering to saints
LOVE of His character (name) shown by ministering to His saints
LACK OF SLOTH
IMITATORS OF THE FAITHFUL
Speak in this way: Paul shows that it is both possible and proper to speak with proper and intense criticism even though we are full of love for the recipients.
Can you “warn those in danger with the tenderest love”?
Hebrews 6:10 MKJV For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
When we are discouraged, we often think God has forgotten all we have done for Him and His people. But God would cease to be God (He would be unjust) if He forgot such things. God sees and remembers.
Our little all, rendered with carefulness according to our covenant, and though imperfect, it is rendered acceptable through him whose imputed righteousness makes up all the deficiency. "Be not weary in well doing; in due time thou shalt reap if thou faint not." (Gal. 6:9) Neither is God unjust to credit us if we have done no ministering.
God is not measuring us by the magnitude of the results of our labors, but by the spirit which we develop and manifest in their performance. It is important for us to see to it that our motives are those of love toward the Lord, his cause and his brethren. There will be abundant opportunity to do good to the world. The Body of Christ will not always be here to be ministered unto. Whatever we can do now for the Body of Christ, the Head will reckon as done unto him.
How many lose sight of the fact that God sees their service?
How many serve for the applause and attention of man, and are discouraged because it doesn’t come?
Hebrews 6:11 MKJV And we desire that each one of you show the same eagerness to the full assurance of hope to the end,
Keep up your good work; press on with that hope until the end; imitate those who inherit (not earn) God’s promises. When we are discouraged as the Hebrew Christians were discouraged we can easily become sluggish. The writer to Hebrews encourages us like a coach, pressing us to press on.
Since our covenant is to sacrifice and spend ourselves completely, full assurance of receiving the reward can only come by diligence in self-sacrifice--ministering. Let us ever remember the importance of patient endurance, constancy.
Examine yourself—Do you have the same eagerness you had when you first came to Christ?
If not, what are you doing to do about it?
Hebrews 6:12 MKJV that you be not slothful, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Imitate those who found the key to gaining God’s promises - faith and patience, as demonstrated by Abraham. But, praise God, Abraham did not have a perfect faith or a perfect patience! If Abraham had some of our weaknesses, then we can have some of his faith and patience.
They inherited these promises by faith in Him who is invisible, and who, they knew, could not lie; and they patiently endured, through difficulties and adversities of every kind, and persevered unto death.
Don’t let discouragement make you sluggish. It’s that sluggish attitude that really makes us feel like giving up. First we lose the desire to press on then we lose the desire to go on.
You really don’t have to give into discouragement. David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1Sa_30:6, KJV). So can you! Encourage yourself in the Lord!
What faithful person of the Bible do you relate to?
How can you use their lives to help you to keep on pressing on?
Is there a brother or sister in Christ that you know that is a great example to you?
Have you shared that with them? (it may help them to keep pressing on, and perhaps you can have sweeter fellowship with them)
Hebrews 6:13 MKJV For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swore by Himself,
The object of introducing this example here is, to encourage those to whom the apostle was writing to persevere in the Christian life, This he does by showing that God had given the highest possible assurance of His purpose to bless His people, by an oath. Reference is made to Abraham in this argument, probably, for two reasons:
(1) To show the nature of the evidence which Christians have that they will be saved, or the ground of encouragement - being the same as that made to Abraham, and depending, as in his case, on the promise of God; and,
(2) Because the “example” of Abraham was just in point. He had persevered. He had relied firmly and solely on the promise of God. He did this when appearances were much against the fulfillment of the promise, and he thus showed the advantage of perseverance and fidelity in the cause of God.
Because he could swear by no greater - There is no being greater than God.
He sware by himself - Gen_22:16. “By myself have I sworn;” compare Isa_45:23. In an oath of this kind God pledges His veracity; declares that the event shall be as certain as His existence; and secures it by all the perfections of his nature. The usual form of the oath is, “As I live, saith the Lord;” see Num_14:21, Num_14:28; Eze_33:11.
Do you believe in God’s promises?
Hebrews 6:14 MKJV saying, "Surely in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply you."
Saying, surely blessing I will bless thee,.... Which is expressive of the certainty of the blessings; the reality and substantiality of them; the abundance of them, and the continuance of the same: and of this nature are all spiritual blessings; as to be chosen of God.
and multiplying I will multiply thee; meaning both in his natural and spiritual seed, which has had its accomplishment.
Galatians 3:29 KJV And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Do you understand the two parts of the Abrahamic promise?
Hebrews 6:15 MKJV And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
He obtained the promise - that he would have a numerous posterity. The apostle intimates that he had waited for that a long time; that his faith did not waver, and that in due season the object of his wishes was granted. To see the force of this, we are to remember:
(1) That when he was called by God from Haran, and when the promise of a numerous posterity was made to him, he was seventy-five years old; Gen. 12:1-5.
(2) Twenty-four years elapsed after this, during which he was a sojourner in a strange land, before the manner in which this promise would be fulfilled was made known to him; Gen. 17:1-16.
(3) It was only when he was an hundred years old, and when he had persevered in the belief of the truth of the promise against all the natural improbabilities of its accomplishment, that he received the pledge of its fulfillment in the birth of his son Isaac; Gen. 21:1-5.
(4) The birth of that son was a pledge that the other blessings implied in the promise would be granted, and in that pledge Abraham may be said to have “received the promise.”
He did not actually see the numerous posterity of which he was to be the honored ancestor, nor the Messiah who was to descend from him, nor the happy influences which would result to mankind from the fulfillment of the promise. But he saw the certainty that all this would occur; he saw by faith the Messiah in the distance John 8:56, and the numerous blessings which would result from his coming. It was a remarkable instance of faith, and one well suited to the purpose of the apostle. It would furnish ample encouragement to the Christians to whom he wrote, to persevere in their course, and to avoid the dangers of apostasy. If Abraham persevered when “appearances” were so much against the fulfillment of what had been promised, then Christians should persevere under the clearer light and with the more distinct promises of the gospel.
What are the promises of God that you hold to?
Are you patiently waiting for their fulfilment?
Have you seen the small beginnings of them becoming manifest?
Hebrews 6:16 MKJV For men truly swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Hebrews 6:17 MKJV In this way desiring to declare more fully to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, God interposed by an oath,
The object of the apostle in this declaration is to show that as far as this could be done it had been by God. He could not indeed swear by one greater than himself, but he could make his promise as certain as an oath taken by people was when they solemnly appealed to him. He could appeal to his own existence and veracity, which was at any time the most solemn form of an oath, and thus put the mind to rest in regard to the hope of heaven.
More fully: How much more convincing is God's oath, making sure, unchangeable that basic covenant made with Abraham, assuring us that ultimately all mankind will receive a blessing, and that it would come through us.
The heirs of promise - The heirs to whom the promise of life pertained; that is, all who were interested in the promises made to Abraham - thus embracing the heirs of salvation now.
immutability of his counsel; The decree of God, concerning the salvation of His people by Jesus Christ, which is immutable; as appears from the unchangeableness of His nature, the sovereignty of His will.
Because it was unconditional, the Abrahamic Covenant had no mediator, neither did it need to be sealed with blood. God sealed it with his oath.
Hebrews 6:18 MKJV so 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,
The two immutable (unchanging) things are God’s promise and His oath. It is impossible for God to lie in either of these two things.
Don’t be discouraged! God has a refuge of hope ready for you. We can think of this refuge of hope are like the cities of refuge commanded by the Law of Moses, as described in Numbers 35.
a. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are within easy reach of the needy person; they were of no use unless someone could get to the place of refuge.
b. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are open to all, not just the Israelite; no one needs to fear that they would be turned away from their place of refuge in their time of need.
c. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge became a place where the one in need would live; you didn’t come to a city of refuge in time of need just to look around.
d. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are the only alternative for the one in need; without this specific protection, they will be destroyed.
e. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge provide protection only within their boundaries; to go outside meant death.
f. With both Jesus and the cities of refuge, full freedom comes with the death of the High Priest.
g. However, there is a crucial distinction between Jesus and the cities of refuge. The cities of refuge only helped the innocent; the guilty can come to Jesus and find refuge.
Hope set before us -- In that promise--the Abrahamic Covenant. That ultimately all mankind will receive a blessing, and that it would come through us. The hope that we by faithful perseverance may become joint-heirs with Jesus in all that glorious inheritance of the Messianic Kingdom.
Do you trust in the Word of God?
Have you come to Christ for refuge?
Do you understand and believe in the “hope set before us”?
Hebrews 6:19 MKJV which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil,
Hebrews 6:20 MKJV where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
This hope we have as an anchor: The anchor was a common figure for hope in the ancient world. Here it especially reminds us that we are anchored to something firm, but unseen (which enters the Presence behind the veil).
Which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us: This hope will see us into the very presence of God. Hope is the opposite of the discouragement these Jewish Christians have been battling against.
a. The forerunner . . . even Jesus: We are assured of this access into the presence of God because Jesus has entered as a forerunner. The Levitical high priest did not enter the veil as a forerunner, only as a representative. But Jesus has entered into the Father’s intimate presence so that His people can follow Him there.
i. A forerunner (the ancient Greek word prodromos) was a reconnaissance man in the military. A forerunner goes forward, knowing that others are going to follow!
b. Behind the veil . . . having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek: The temple analogy (behind the veil) reminds the writer to the Hebrews that he was speaking of Jesus as our High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. The thought continues into the next chapter.
Which hope we have: The Abrahamic promise or covenant has not yet been fulfilled--it is still an anchor for our faith. The basis of our hope is the Word of God. If we let go of our hope, we are letting go of everything.
The hope of the spiritually minded new creature in the "Holy" looking forward through the rent veil into the "Most Holy" and catching glimpses of the glory, honor and immortality beyond the flesh.
Is your hope anchored?
Is it secured and firm?
Quotes taken from John Guzik, Charles Russell, Albert Barnes, E.W. Bullinger, John Gill, Adam Clarke, Cambridge Bible, Expositor’s Bible, William Baker and more.
In chapter 6-10 St. Paul points out the danger of falling back and away after we have become Christians. With the wonderful Bibles now at our command and with helps for Bible study, what manner of Christians ought we to be--in faith, love, obedience and courage!
There should come a time in the experience of every healthy growing child of God, when he should be able to leave the foundation doctrines. Not in the sense of abandoning them, but of allowing them to stand as tried and proved foundation stones. We should not have to learn all of these things over and over again.
There must come a time, and that before we begin to build, when we feel sure that the foundation is good and properly laid. If a man, after laying a foundation for a building, should always be digging it up and turning it over and trying to fit the stones in some other way, how soon would the building be completed?
From dead works -- All works are dead if without faith
Hebrews 6:2 MKJV of the baptisms, of doctrine, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
These “basics” are given in three pairs: repentance and faith go together. Baptisms and laying on of hands go together. Resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment go together.
b. Not laying again the foundation: Many people regard this as a Biblical list of important “foundations” for the Christian life. Bible study series have been taught developing each one of these topics, out of the thought that this is good list of basic doctrines. But that isn’t the writer’s point here at all. To understand this list, you must ask a basic question: What is distinctively Christian about this list? Where is the specific mention of Jesus or salvation by grace alone? Can you believe or practice these things and not be a follower of Jesus Christ, believing Him to be the Messiah?
i. “When we consider the ‘rudiments’ one by one, it is remarkable how little in the list is distinctive of Christianity, for practically every item could have its place in a fairly orthodox Jewish community. . . . Each of them, indeed, acquires a new significance in a Christian context; but the impression we get is that existing Jewish beliefs and practices were used as a foundation on which to build Christian truth.” (Bruce)
c. Not even baptisms, as it is used in this passage, is necessarily Christian. The specific ancient Greek word translated baptisms is not the word regularly used in the New Testament to describe Christian baptism. It is the word used on two other specific occasions (Heb_9:10 and Mar_7:4) to refer to Jewish ceremonial washings.
i. The New English Bible translation reflects this, translating doctrine of baptisms as “instruction about cleansing rites.”
d. In this case, the elementary principles to move beyond are all items in the “common ground” between Christianity and Judaism. This was a “safe” common ground these Jewish Christians retreated to.
i. Because Christianity did grow out of Judaism, it was a more subtle temptation for a Jewish Christian to slip back into Judaism than it was for a formerly pagan Christian to go back to his pagan ways.
ii. Of course, these Jewish Christians did not want to abandon religion, but they did want to make it less distinctively Christian. Therefore, they went back to this “common ground” to avoid persecution. Living in this comfortable common ground, you would not stick out so much. A Jew and a Christian together could say, “Let’s repent, let’s have faith, let’s perform ceremonial washings,” and so forth. But this was a subtle denial of Jesus.
iii. This is entirely characteristic of those who feel discouraged, and wish to give up. There is always the temptation to still be religious, but not so “fanatical” about Jesus.
Hebrews 6:3 MKJV And this we will do, if God permits.
And this will we do - We will make these advances toward a higher state of knowledge and piety. Paul had confidence that they would do it (see Heb_6:9-10), and though they had lingered long around the elements of Christian knowledge, he believed that they would yet go on to make higher attainments.
A statement of hope and dependence on God.
If God permits: This should not be taken as implying that God may not want them to go on to maturity, past those basics common to Christianity and Judaism. Instead, if God permits expresses the believers’ complete dependence on God. If we do press on to maturity, we realize that it only happens at God’s pleasure. In reference to anything that we undertake, however pleasing to God in itself, it is proper to recognize our entire dependence on God; see Jas_4:13-15.
Do you have complete dependence on God?
Hebrews 6:4 MKJV For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
The danger of falling away.
1. Understanding an approach to controversial passages like this.
a. We must first be concerned with understanding what the text says (exposition), before we are concerned with fitting what it says into a system of theology.
b. Systems of theology are important, because the Bible does not contradict itself; but the way to right systems begins with a right understanding of the text, not one that bends the text to fit into a system.
i. “We come to this passage ourselves with the intention to read it with the simplicity of a child, and whatever we find therein to state it; and if it may not seem to agree with something we have hitherto held, we are prepared to cast away every doctrine of our own, rather than one passage of Scripture.” (Spurgeon)
For it is impossible: The word impossible is put in a position of emphasis. The writer to the Hebrews is not saying it is just difficult, but truly without possibility.
a. Note the other uses of impossible in Hebrews: It is impossible for God to lie (Heb_6:18). It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats can take away sin (Heb_10:4). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb_11:6).
b. “This word *impossible stands immovable.” (Alford)
Who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come: Their experience is impressive. The big debate is whether this is the experience of salvation, or the experience of something short of salvation.
a. Enlightened: This ancient Greek word has the same meaning as the English word. These people have experienced the light of God shining upon them.
b. Tasted: This word speaks of a full, real experience (as in how Jesus tasted death in Heb_2:9). The heavenly gift is probably salvation (Rom_6:23 and Eph_2:8).
“What is the heavenly gift? It is Jesus, our Redeemer—we have eaten his flesh and drank his blood. We have believed on him as our redeemer and applied his blood unto ourselves, consciously realizing vitalized justification. From this step we cannot go back and return to the world for it is a sin.”
c. Partakers of the Holy Spirit is an unique term, having to do with receiving the Holy Spirit and having fellowship with the Holy Spirit. “Sharers of as of one family, begotten of the Spirit to a new nature, a new life as new beings.”
Are you more interested in what the Scriptures teach than what you have been taught?
Are you willing to discard any preconceived doctrines that don’t line up with all scriptures?
Hebrews 6:5 MKJV and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come,
Tasted the good word of God means they have experienced the goodness of God’s word, and have seen its work in their lives. They had eaten (in the past tense) of the Word of God, this means that these have begun to understand the deeper things, such are eating of the antitypical Shew Bread, the food of faith or those who dwell in the presence of God. Very few Christians have ever tasted much of the good word of God; they have had considerable of the perverted word.
"My good word", or "the word of My goodness", in the Targum on Isa_55:11 for it is the word of righteousness, reconciliation, peace, pardon, life, and salvation. And there is a special and spiritual taste of this good, word, which is delightful, relishing, and nourishing.
Can anyone who is not begotten by the holy Spirit truly taste of the good word of God?—1 Cor.2:14
The powers of the age of come is a way to describe God’s supernatural power. The ones written of here have indeed tasted of these powers. The powers of regeneration, the power of a new life, no longer under Adam as our father, but for the Christian, under God as our father. No longer under the sentence of death, but under an opportunity and call to an endless life of ever increasing horizons.
One of the most heated debates over any New Testament passage is focused on this text. The question is simple: Are these people who have had these impressive spiritual experiences in fact Christians? Are they God’s elect, chosen before the foundation of the world?
Commentators divide on this issue, each deciding the issue with great certainty but with no agreement.
Remember that one can have great spiritual experiences and still not be saved (Mat_7:21-23). One can even do many religious things and still not be saved. The perfect example of this are the Pharisees, who evangelized (Mat_23:15), prayed impressively (Mat_23:14), made religious commitments (Mat_23:16), tithed rigorously (Mat_23:23), honored religious traditions (Mat_23:29-31) and who fasted (Luk_18:12). One is only “saved” if they endure till the end (Mat 10:22; 24:13; Mar 13:13, 27; Heb 3:14; Rev 2:26).
Yet, from a human perspective, who would call anyone who seemed to have the credentials mentioned in Heb_6:4-5 a non-Christian? We might make that person an elder! From all human observation, we must say these are Christians spoken of in Heb_6:4-5. Natural man cannot understand things of the Spirit—so they must be begotten of the holy Spirit before they have fallen away—allowed the World, Flesh and Devil to gain a foothold in their hearts.
Have you tasted of the good Word of God?
Have you tasted of the powers of the world to come?
Do you know what the “world to come’ is?
How strong is your faith and devotion to God?
Hebrews 6:6 MKJV and who have fallen away; it is impossible, I say, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify the Son of God afresh to themselves and put Him to an open shame.
"There is a sin unto death." (1Jo_5:16) For wilful sinners "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Heb_10:26)
To fall aside.
Impossible to become new and fresh again--Cannot start over again. Jesus suffering cannot be repeated, this impresses upon us the magnitude of the offense. Since they had once had their full share of the Atonement, to renew them again would mean that again Jesus would have to be crucified and put to an open shame for their special benefit. The Atonement cannot be repeated, just because they have been careless and neglectful of their opportunities and privileges.
Put to an open shame—to show are expose. To make a show, a thing shown, an example. To expose publicly to infamy. God has done the utmost that Love in harmony with justice can do when He gave His Son to be the Redeemer of mankind. It cannot be repeated.
We have repeatedly forced upon our attention the importance of the benefits and blessings that we have received of the Lord in what we call “Present Truth.” It is for our “present” needs and it is The Truth that the Lord has been please to send that we might be fully armed for our protection and be able to stand, and to withstand, all of the assaults of the Adversary, the Enemy in this “Evil Day”.
This difficult passage is best understood in the context of Heb_6:1-2. The writer to the Hebrews means that if they do retreat back to Judaism (put themselves back under the law—like Sabbath keepers do), all the religious “repentance” in the world will do them no good. Their forsaking of Jesus (whether in word or by going back to the Law, which is Judaism) is tantamount to crucifying Him all over again, especially if they were to express their repentance in traditional Jewish forms: especially animal sacrifice, which denies the total work of Jesus for them on the cross.
If they fall away: Remember there is a great difference between falling and falling away. Falling away isn’t just falling into some sin, it is actually departing from Jesus Himself. For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity. (Pro_24:16) The difference is between a Peter and a Judas. If you depart from Jesus, there is no hope!
The message to these Christians who felt like giving up was clear: if you don’t continue on with Jesus, don’t suppose you will find salvation by just going on with the old basics that are common to Judaism; if you aren’t saved in Jesus, you aren’t saved!
If one falls like this, does it mean they can’t repent? That God prohibits their repentance? Remember first that repentance itself is a gift from God; no one genuinely repents without God’s enabling. Second, if one does repent, that in itself is evidence that they have not truly fallen away.
Are you abiding in Jesus?
Hebrews 6:7 MKJV (For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth plants fit for those by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God.
Hebrews 6:8 MKJV But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected and is a curse, whose end is to be burned.)
(Heb_6:7-8) An illustration of the serious consequences of falling away.
When the earth receives rain, and then bears useful plants, it then fulfills its purpose and justifies the blessing of rain sent upon it. The writer to the Hebrews applies the point: “You’ve been blessed. But where’s the fruit?” God is looking for what grows in us after He blesses us, especially what grows in terms of maturity.
a. But if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected: If ground that is blessed by rain refuses to bear fruit, then who can blame the farmer for burning it?
c. The picture presented reminds us that growth and bearing fruit is important to keep from falling away. When we really bear fruit, we abide in Jesus (Joh_15:5) and in no danger of falling away.
And is nigh unto cursing (KJV) - Is abandoned as useless. The word “cursing” means devoting to destruction. So the land would be regarded by the farmer. It would be valueless, and would be given up to be overrun with fire.
The object of the apostle requires him to refer merely to the “fact” of the burning, and to make use of it as an illustration of an act of punishment. So, Paul says, it would be in the dealings of God with His people. If after all attempts to secure holy living, and to keep them in the paths of salvation, they should evince none of the spirit of piety, all that could be done would be to abandon them to destruction as such a field is overrun with fire.
Divine wisdom has decided that all out of harmony, without possibility of reformation, shall be utterly destroyed. Fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31)--who is a consuming fire.
Reflecting on your life—are you producing fruit or weeds?
Hebrews 6:9 MKJV But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this way.
Don’t be discouraged! (Heb_6:9) The writer admits he is being a little more harsh than he needs to be.
a. We are confident of better things concerning you: Though he spoke so severely, the writer to the Hebrews is confident that they really will continue on in Jesus, that their perseverance is one of the things that accompany salvation.
b. Though we speak in this manner: However, it would be wrong to take Heb_6:9 to mean the warnings in the previous verses were not serious, or warned of impossible things. If anything, verse nine is a verse of encouragement; these Christians are in danger of falling away not so much out of a calculated rebellion, as because of a depressing discouragement. They need to be warned, but they also need to be encouraged!
What a lesson for us all. Paul has a positiveness regarding the future which only can be encouraging. He did not hesitate in love to warn them of the most dire consequences if they did not build carefully. Yet immediately he says, “I have confidence that these warnings will prove unnecessary.”
Accompany salvation: These things seem to be listed in verses 10-12.
Salvation’s walk seems to be accompanied by:
WORK for God by ministering to saints
LOVE of His character (name) shown by ministering to His saints
LACK OF SLOTH
IMITATORS OF THE FAITHFUL
Speak in this way: Paul shows that it is both possible and proper to speak with proper and intense criticism even though we are full of love for the recipients.
Can you “warn those in danger with the tenderest love”?
Hebrews 6:10 MKJV For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
When we are discouraged, we often think God has forgotten all we have done for Him and His people. But God would cease to be God (He would be unjust) if He forgot such things. God sees and remembers.
Our little all, rendered with carefulness according to our covenant, and though imperfect, it is rendered acceptable through him whose imputed righteousness makes up all the deficiency. "Be not weary in well doing; in due time thou shalt reap if thou faint not." (Gal. 6:9) Neither is God unjust to credit us if we have done no ministering.
God is not measuring us by the magnitude of the results of our labors, but by the spirit which we develop and manifest in their performance. It is important for us to see to it that our motives are those of love toward the Lord, his cause and his brethren. There will be abundant opportunity to do good to the world. The Body of Christ will not always be here to be ministered unto. Whatever we can do now for the Body of Christ, the Head will reckon as done unto him.
How many lose sight of the fact that God sees their service?
How many serve for the applause and attention of man, and are discouraged because it doesn’t come?
Hebrews 6:11 MKJV And we desire that each one of you show the same eagerness to the full assurance of hope to the end,
Keep up your good work; press on with that hope until the end; imitate those who inherit (not earn) God’s promises. When we are discouraged as the Hebrew Christians were discouraged we can easily become sluggish. The writer to Hebrews encourages us like a coach, pressing us to press on.
Since our covenant is to sacrifice and spend ourselves completely, full assurance of receiving the reward can only come by diligence in self-sacrifice--ministering. Let us ever remember the importance of patient endurance, constancy.
Examine yourself—Do you have the same eagerness you had when you first came to Christ?
If not, what are you doing to do about it?
Hebrews 6:12 MKJV that you be not slothful, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Imitate those who found the key to gaining God’s promises - faith and patience, as demonstrated by Abraham. But, praise God, Abraham did not have a perfect faith or a perfect patience! If Abraham had some of our weaknesses, then we can have some of his faith and patience.
They inherited these promises by faith in Him who is invisible, and who, they knew, could not lie; and they patiently endured, through difficulties and adversities of every kind, and persevered unto death.
Don’t let discouragement make you sluggish. It’s that sluggish attitude that really makes us feel like giving up. First we lose the desire to press on then we lose the desire to go on.
You really don’t have to give into discouragement. David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1Sa_30:6, KJV). So can you! Encourage yourself in the Lord!
What faithful person of the Bible do you relate to?
How can you use their lives to help you to keep on pressing on?
Is there a brother or sister in Christ that you know that is a great example to you?
Have you shared that with them? (it may help them to keep pressing on, and perhaps you can have sweeter fellowship with them)
Hebrews 6:13 MKJV For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swore by Himself,
The object of introducing this example here is, to encourage those to whom the apostle was writing to persevere in the Christian life, This he does by showing that God had given the highest possible assurance of His purpose to bless His people, by an oath. Reference is made to Abraham in this argument, probably, for two reasons:
(1) To show the nature of the evidence which Christians have that they will be saved, or the ground of encouragement - being the same as that made to Abraham, and depending, as in his case, on the promise of God; and,
(2) Because the “example” of Abraham was just in point. He had persevered. He had relied firmly and solely on the promise of God. He did this when appearances were much against the fulfillment of the promise, and he thus showed the advantage of perseverance and fidelity in the cause of God.
Because he could swear by no greater - There is no being greater than God.
He sware by himself - Gen_22:16. “By myself have I sworn;” compare Isa_45:23. In an oath of this kind God pledges His veracity; declares that the event shall be as certain as His existence; and secures it by all the perfections of his nature. The usual form of the oath is, “As I live, saith the Lord;” see Num_14:21, Num_14:28; Eze_33:11.
Do you believe in God’s promises?
Hebrews 6:14 MKJV saying, "Surely in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply you."
Saying, surely blessing I will bless thee,.... Which is expressive of the certainty of the blessings; the reality and substantiality of them; the abundance of them, and the continuance of the same: and of this nature are all spiritual blessings; as to be chosen of God.
and multiplying I will multiply thee; meaning both in his natural and spiritual seed, which has had its accomplishment.
Galatians 3:29 KJV And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Do you understand the two parts of the Abrahamic promise?
Hebrews 6:15 MKJV And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
He obtained the promise - that he would have a numerous posterity. The apostle intimates that he had waited for that a long time; that his faith did not waver, and that in due season the object of his wishes was granted. To see the force of this, we are to remember:
(1) That when he was called by God from Haran, and when the promise of a numerous posterity was made to him, he was seventy-five years old; Gen. 12:1-5.
(2) Twenty-four years elapsed after this, during which he was a sojourner in a strange land, before the manner in which this promise would be fulfilled was made known to him; Gen. 17:1-16.
(3) It was only when he was an hundred years old, and when he had persevered in the belief of the truth of the promise against all the natural improbabilities of its accomplishment, that he received the pledge of its fulfillment in the birth of his son Isaac; Gen. 21:1-5.
(4) The birth of that son was a pledge that the other blessings implied in the promise would be granted, and in that pledge Abraham may be said to have “received the promise.”
He did not actually see the numerous posterity of which he was to be the honored ancestor, nor the Messiah who was to descend from him, nor the happy influences which would result to mankind from the fulfillment of the promise. But he saw the certainty that all this would occur; he saw by faith the Messiah in the distance John 8:56, and the numerous blessings which would result from his coming. It was a remarkable instance of faith, and one well suited to the purpose of the apostle. It would furnish ample encouragement to the Christians to whom he wrote, to persevere in their course, and to avoid the dangers of apostasy. If Abraham persevered when “appearances” were so much against the fulfillment of what had been promised, then Christians should persevere under the clearer light and with the more distinct promises of the gospel.
What are the promises of God that you hold to?
Are you patiently waiting for their fulfilment?
Have you seen the small beginnings of them becoming manifest?
Hebrews 6:16 MKJV For men truly swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Hebrews 6:17 MKJV In this way desiring to declare more fully to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, God interposed by an oath,
The object of the apostle in this declaration is to show that as far as this could be done it had been by God. He could not indeed swear by one greater than himself, but he could make his promise as certain as an oath taken by people was when they solemnly appealed to him. He could appeal to his own existence and veracity, which was at any time the most solemn form of an oath, and thus put the mind to rest in regard to the hope of heaven.
More fully: How much more convincing is God's oath, making sure, unchangeable that basic covenant made with Abraham, assuring us that ultimately all mankind will receive a blessing, and that it would come through us.
The heirs of promise - The heirs to whom the promise of life pertained; that is, all who were interested in the promises made to Abraham - thus embracing the heirs of salvation now.
immutability of his counsel; The decree of God, concerning the salvation of His people by Jesus Christ, which is immutable; as appears from the unchangeableness of His nature, the sovereignty of His will.
Because it was unconditional, the Abrahamic Covenant had no mediator, neither did it need to be sealed with blood. God sealed it with his oath.
Hebrews 6:18 MKJV so 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,
The two immutable (unchanging) things are God’s promise and His oath. It is impossible for God to lie in either of these two things.
Don’t be discouraged! God has a refuge of hope ready for you. We can think of this refuge of hope are like the cities of refuge commanded by the Law of Moses, as described in Numbers 35.
a. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are within easy reach of the needy person; they were of no use unless someone could get to the place of refuge.
b. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are open to all, not just the Israelite; no one needs to fear that they would be turned away from their place of refuge in their time of need.
c. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge became a place where the one in need would live; you didn’t come to a city of refuge in time of need just to look around.
d. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are the only alternative for the one in need; without this specific protection, they will be destroyed.
e. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge provide protection only within their boundaries; to go outside meant death.
f. With both Jesus and the cities of refuge, full freedom comes with the death of the High Priest.
g. However, there is a crucial distinction between Jesus and the cities of refuge. The cities of refuge only helped the innocent; the guilty can come to Jesus and find refuge.
Hope set before us -- In that promise--the Abrahamic Covenant. That ultimately all mankind will receive a blessing, and that it would come through us. The hope that we by faithful perseverance may become joint-heirs with Jesus in all that glorious inheritance of the Messianic Kingdom.
Do you trust in the Word of God?
Have you come to Christ for refuge?
Do you understand and believe in the “hope set before us”?
Hebrews 6:19 MKJV which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil,
Hebrews 6:20 MKJV where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
This hope we have as an anchor: The anchor was a common figure for hope in the ancient world. Here it especially reminds us that we are anchored to something firm, but unseen (which enters the Presence behind the veil).
- You don’t need an anchor for calm seas. The rougher the weather, the more important your anchor!
- But the anchor analogy doesn’t apply perfectly. We are anchored upward in heaven, not down in the ground; and we are anchored to move on, not to stand still!
- Paul suggests the picture of a ship at anchor during a storm--so in the storms of life the child of God has a firm anchorage--upon things within the veil.
- This anchorage of hope in the future, in the Kingdom, will enable us to pass safely, and with comparative quiet, through trials and storms and difficulties of this present evil world.
Which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us: This hope will see us into the very presence of God. Hope is the opposite of the discouragement these Jewish Christians have been battling against.
a. The forerunner . . . even Jesus: We are assured of this access into the presence of God because Jesus has entered as a forerunner. The Levitical high priest did not enter the veil as a forerunner, only as a representative. But Jesus has entered into the Father’s intimate presence so that His people can follow Him there.
i. A forerunner (the ancient Greek word prodromos) was a reconnaissance man in the military. A forerunner goes forward, knowing that others are going to follow!
b. Behind the veil . . . having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek: The temple analogy (behind the veil) reminds the writer to the Hebrews that he was speaking of Jesus as our High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. The thought continues into the next chapter.
Which hope we have: The Abrahamic promise or covenant has not yet been fulfilled--it is still an anchor for our faith. The basis of our hope is the Word of God. If we let go of our hope, we are letting go of everything.
The hope of the spiritually minded new creature in the "Holy" looking forward through the rent veil into the "Most Holy" and catching glimpses of the glory, honor and immortality beyond the flesh.
Is your hope anchored?
Is it secured and firm?
Quotes taken from John Guzik, Charles Russell, Albert Barnes, E.W. Bullinger, John Gill, Adam Clarke, Cambridge Bible, Expositor’s Bible, William Baker and more.
