Hebrews 6:1-12
6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
principles- GK=arche, beginning.
doctrine- GK=logos, word.
This literally reads: "...leaving the word of the beginnings concerning Christ..."
let us go on unto perfection; {ie., maturity, completion}
not laying again the {a} foundation {ie., the first principles, cp. 5:12}
The Gospel & Work of Christ is - -
-Built upon OT teachings:-Introduced by John the Baptist: (cp. Mat 3:1-12):
(follow this column down)(follow this column down)
of repentance from dead works, and
Repeated repentance was needed due"Repent..."
to continual breaking of the Law.
Isa 55:7
of faith toward God,
(belief in God is an OT principle)"prepare ye the way of the Lord..."
cp. Hab 2:4; Num 14:11; Heb 11:6
to believe in God is a beginning
Joh 14:1
6:2 Of the doctrine {a list of some foundational teachings follows}
of baptisms {washings *}, and
Ceremonial cleansings (plural),"they were baptized...confessing their sins"
Ritual separation unto the Holy Lord.
cp. Lev 11:28,32,44,45; Num 8:7; Heb 9:10
of laying on of hands {*}, and
ie., identification w/ the"Behold the Lamb of God..." (Joh 1:29)
sacrificial animal
cp. Ex 29:10,15,19; Lev 4:15
of resurrection of the dead, and
(resurrection is an OT principle)"God is able of these stones to raise..."
cp. Dan 12:1,2; Hos 13:14
of eternal judgment.
(judgment is an OT principle)"He will burn up the chaff with
cp. Psa 1:4-6; Mal 3:1,2unquenchable fire."
{*}Note: These are OT foundational principles and should not be confused with similar practises with distinctly Christian meanings (eg., observe the differing ''baptisms'' of Acts 19:3-6).
6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.
ie., By God's grace, we will move on-
-from the elemental things which should lead us to Christ
...(eg., the OT Law and John's Teaching & Baptism, as in vs.1-2 above)
...cp. Gal 3:24; Acts 18:24-26
-to truly know Christ and to become mature in Him.
But not everyone, who starts to follow Christ, will continue to this end. Joh 6:44,64-66
6:4 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,
Vs.4-8 are difficult to understand at first reading.
"it is impossible... if they fall away... to renew them again..."
What does this mean?
  1. Can Christians lose their salvation? Many other passages say "No".
    Joh 10:27-30; Rom 8:33-39; Eph 1:12-14; Php 1:6; 1Pet 1:3-5
    (and also the end of this chapter, Heb 6:13-20).
  2. Is this merely a hypothetical case?
    "If" they shall fall away (v.6), assuming for the sake of argument that it were possible to do so, they could not be restored.
  3. Is the loss experienced, by those who "stumble" (as some would read v.6),
    loss of reward rather than loss of salvation? (cp. vs.7,8 with 1Cor 3:11-15)
  4. Are those who "fall away" merely professing but not possessing a relationship to Christ?
  5. Is this passage limited to first century Jews who had once professed Jesus as Messiah but were now in danger of forsaking Him to return to the sacrificial system of the Temple?
These verses must be seen in the context of the passage: the writer's concern
that his readers have not matured beyond the "first principles" (vs.1-3).
Could their immaturity mean that they are not true children of God?
Where are the evidences of Maturity? (lettered points through v.8)
  1. Assimilation of "strong meat". (5:12-6:3)
    A lack of appetite for and application of the Word of God contributes to slow spiritual growth, but may also indicate a lack of spiritual life (1Pet 2:2).
  2. Continuation in the truth. (6:4-6)
The descriptive phrases of vs.4,5 could apply equally...
to true believers, or to the unsaved who associate with believers.
Wheat and tares will grow together until the Lord separates them. Mat 13:24-30
once enlightened- or, once for all enlightened.
Daylight may flood the eyes of both sighted and blind, but the blind do not benefit. 2Cor 4:3,4
tasted- GK=geoumai, to taste, to eat.
The one who tastes may or may not eat. Joh 6:47-60,66
partakers- GK=metochos, those who 'have with', sharers.
Believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
The unsaved, who dwell among believers, also benefit from His presence:
Even the unsaved church-goer enjoys a more stable life & home than his peers who invest their lives in alcohol, drugs and other vices. Cp.: 1Cor 7:14
6:5 And have tasted the good word of God,
and the powers of the world to come,
tasted-GK=geuomai, to taste, to eat. Again, to taste is not necessarily to eat.
the word...the powers- even those who neglect God's salvation are exposed to its evidences. Heb 2:2-4
6:6 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.
fall away- GK=parapipto, to stumble, to fall down.
The true child of God will continue in the faith unto the end.
cp. 1Joh 2:19; 1Cor 1:8; Heb 3:6,14
Also see references at v.4 note (point # 1) above, and note at 3:6.
crucify... afresh-
  1. A person who gives intellectual assent to Christ's Person & Work, but who later rejects Him, is essentially endorsing His sentence of crucifixion. (Thus, putting Him to "an open shame".)
    cp. Mat 26:65,66; 27:22,23
    Such persons might be mere professors (v.4 point # 4), or early Jews who initially embraced Jesus as Messiah, but not as Savior (v.4 point # 5). They turned away from Him when expected political or material benefits did not materialize.
  2. Having rejected the Savior, there is no alternate means of salvation.
    Joh 6:66-69; 15:6; Heb 10:26-29; 12:15-17; 2Pet 2:20-22
6:7 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:
C. Production of good fruit (6:7,8) (An evidence of Maturity- see note at v.4)
the earth which drinketh in the rain... receiveth blessing- Rain falls on good & bad fields.
Some absorb, some squander the source of blessing.
The fields are judged according to their fruit.
Likewise, God's Word is intended to bless. Isa 55:10-13; Joel 2:23-26
A man's condition is determined by the way he receives it.
6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected,
and [is] nigh unto cursing;
whose end [is] to be burned.
rejected- GK=adokinos, castaway. Cp. 1Cor 9:27
A lack of good fruit-
-- is an indication of no root in the Lord. Mat 13:20-23; Joh 15:4-8
-- is reason for judgment. Isa 5:4-7; Mat 7:19,20
Though the Word falls on all, and though it cuts to the heart (4:12),
some hearts remain hardened. Acts 5:33
vs.4-8 Are a Warning to the spiritually unreceptive: You are in danger of cursing.
There is mercy in the warning: The end is ''near'' but not yet fact. Therefore, Repent.
6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you,
and things that accompany salvation,
though we thus speak.
vs.9-20 Are an Encouragement to those who are saved.
better- The argument of ch. 6 hinges around this word.
Though some had come near to Christ and then fallen away to eventual judgment, these had not fallen away but continued in the faith (which is far better).
Their lives exhibited evidences of spiritual life & growth:
things that accompany salvation- namely:
(lettered points in vs.10-12 are evidences of Maturity, corresponding to note at v.4 above)
C. Continuing Fruitfulness -
6:10 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.
work...- While salvation is not by works, the external evidence of fruitful service demonstrated the reality of their salvation. cp. 1The 1:2-7
B. Continuing Confidence unto the end -
6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence
to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
diligence... unto the end- cp. 1Cor 15:58; Col 1:23; Heb 3:6; 1Pet 1:3-5; 2Pet 1:5-10
hope- ie., confidence in God's sure provision for us in Christ (see v.13-20)
A. Continuing Maturation in the Faith -
6:12 That ye be not slothful,
but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
not slothful- dull (cp. 5:11, 'dull of hearing')
faith & patience (GK=makrothumia, endurance, longsuffering)- imply an intense
appreciation for and anticipation of the fulfillment of God's announced purposes.
followers- ie., imitators. Consider the examples of-
-- Abraham's secure faith & patience. (vs.13-15)
-- Contemporary leaders in the faith. Heb 13:7,8

Click here to continue the study in Heb 6:13-20
Return to Hebrews - MENU page.

Limited permission is granted to copy & distribute these notes from www.theBookWurm.com

Go to The Book opening page.