Another Look at Hebrews 6: 4-6
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B-A-C
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Here are a few other translations... they all seem the same to me.
(NIV)
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
(NKJV)
4 For it is impossible for those 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, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
(NLT)
For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
(NASB)
For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
(MSG)
Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit, once they’ve personally experienced the sheer goodness of God’s Word and the powers breaking in on us—if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can’t start over as if nothing happened. That’s impossible. Why, they’ve re-crucified Jesus! They’ve repudiated him in public! Parched ground that soaks up the rain and then produces an abundance of carrots and corn for its gardener gets God’s “Well done!” But if it produces weeds and thistles, it’s more likely to get cussed out. Fields like that are burned, not harvested.
(HCSB)
For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit, tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, and who have fallen away, because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt.
(AMP)
For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit,
And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come,
If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance—[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.
(GW)
Some people once had God’s light. They experienced the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. They experienced the goodness of God’s word and the powers of the world to come. Yet, they have deserted Christ. They are crucifying the Son of God again and publicly disgracing him. Therefore, they cannot be led a second time to God.
All these versions are saying the same thing to me.
(NIV)
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
(NKJV)
4 For it is impossible for those 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, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
(NLT)
For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
(NASB)
For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
(MSG)
Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit, once they’ve personally experienced the sheer goodness of God’s Word and the powers breaking in on us—if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can’t start over as if nothing happened. That’s impossible. Why, they’ve re-crucified Jesus! They’ve repudiated him in public! Parched ground that soaks up the rain and then produces an abundance of carrots and corn for its gardener gets God’s “Well done!” But if it produces weeds and thistles, it’s more likely to get cussed out. Fields like that are burned, not harvested.
(HCSB)
For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit, tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, and who have fallen away, because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt.
(AMP)
For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit,
And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come,
If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance—[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.
(GW)
Some people once had God’s light. They experienced the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. They experienced the goodness of God’s word and the powers of the world to come. Yet, they have deserted Christ. They are crucifying the Son of God again and publicly disgracing him. Therefore, they cannot be led a second time to God.
All these versions are saying the same thing to me.
B-A-C
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This verse is very similar. It talks about those who turn their backs on the blood of Christ.
Heb 10:29;
(GW)
What do you think a person who shows no respect for the Son of God deserves? That person looks at the blood of the promise the blood that made him holy as no different from other people’s blood, and he insults the Spirit that God gave us out of his kindness. He deserves a much worse punishment.
(AMP)
How much worse (sterner and heavier) punishment do you suppose he will be judged to deserve who has spurned and [thus] trampled underfoot the Son of God, and who has considered the covenant blood by which he was consecrated common and unhallowed, thus profaning it and insulting and outraging the [Holy] Spirit [Who imparts] grace (the unmerited favor and blessing of God)?
(NIV)
How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
(MSG)
we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit?
(NASB)
How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
(NKJV)
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
(NET)
How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for the Son of God, and profanes the blood of the covenant that made him holy, and insults the Spirit of grace?
How can an unbeliever, a non-saved person be made Holy, Sanctified and purified by the blood of Jesus?
The answer is that only those who have been saved are purified/sanctified by the blood of Jesus.
Yet even after they have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, they can trample it under foot, spit on it, show comtempt for it, and insult the Holy Spirit.
They will face a greater judgment for this, than those who were never saved in the first place.
Heb 10:29;
(GW)
What do you think a person who shows no respect for the Son of God deserves? That person looks at the blood of the promise the blood that made him holy as no different from other people’s blood, and he insults the Spirit that God gave us out of his kindness. He deserves a much worse punishment.
(AMP)
How much worse (sterner and heavier) punishment do you suppose he will be judged to deserve who has spurned and [thus] trampled underfoot the Son of God, and who has considered the covenant blood by which he was consecrated common and unhallowed, thus profaning it and insulting and outraging the [Holy] Spirit [Who imparts] grace (the unmerited favor and blessing of God)?
(NIV)
How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
(MSG)
we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit?
(NASB)
How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
(NKJV)
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
(NET)
How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for the Son of God, and profanes the blood of the covenant that made him holy, and insults the Spirit of grace?
How can an unbeliever, a non-saved person be made Holy, Sanctified and purified by the blood of Jesus?
The answer is that only those who have been saved are purified/sanctified by the blood of Jesus.
Yet even after they have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, they can trample it under foot, spit on it, show comtempt for it, and insult the Holy Spirit.
They will face a greater judgment for this, than those who were never saved in the first place.
RJ
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Didn't get a chance to finish this:
Many feel that these verses prove that a Christian can fall away from God. But, that is not what it says. I just ask that you take a closer look:
4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.
- Those who have once been enlightened and fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance.
- Those who have tasted the heavenly gift and fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance.
- Those who have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit and fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance
- Those who have tasted the good work of God and fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance
- Those who have tasted the powers of the age to come and fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance
Are you saying that in the 5 examples above that a person who believes, "falls away" and now does not believe and GOD says this is a non-believer can not be brought back to repentance and saved?
One of the foundations of our Christian faith is that a believer can be renewed into repentance and saved.
So, "it is impossible to renew them again to repentance" doesn't mean what you think it does!
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It depends on the denomination. Some say you can, others say you can't.
But is it scriptural that you can? Maybe scriptures to support this would be a good thing?
I do agree with you about one thing though.... being renewed into repentance, is not a one time thing.
Christian need to confess and repent from time to time.
However this is different from total apostacy. That is totally turning your back on God and walking away from Jesus.
Heb 12:17;
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Luke 9:62; But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Heb 12:17; For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.
2 Jn 1:9; Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
Matt :13; “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Heb 12:17; For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.
2 Jn 1:9; Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
Matt :13; “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
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A little more study notes. Study Bible
6:4 once been enlightened. That is, had the knowledge of God disclosed in the gospel message (10:26; John 1:9; 2 Cor. 4:4–6) and publicly confessed in baptism. In early Christian writings, conversion and baptism were sometimes termed “enlightenment.” The Greek word for “once” is prominent in Hebrews. It is used in connection with the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ in 10:2, 10.
tasted the heavenly gift. Some see here a reference to participation in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Or the phrase could be paired with “enlightened” as a broad description of apparent conversion.
shared in the Holy Spirit. They had some experience with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but it is not necessary to conclude that regeneration is specifically intended.
6:5 powers of the age to come. Most obviously, the signs and wonders that accompanied the introduction of the gospel (2:4 note).
6:6 if they then fall away. There is a kind of falling away that is irreversible (1 John 5:16). Christian salvation is final (10:4), and the decision to reject it, if made at a certain level, cannot be reversed. According to 1 John 2:19, anyone who makes such a decision was not really a member of the household of faith, although they may have seemed to be. Judas Iscariot is the clearest example of someone who participated in the coming of the kingdom, but did not enter it (Matt. 26:47–49; cf. Matt. 7:21–23). This warning is not to encourage speculation about whether others are irretrievably lost, but urges us to cling closely to the Savior ourselves. See “The Unpardonable Sin” at Mark 3:29.
crucifying once again the Son of God. By renouncing their faith in Christ they declare that Christ’s cross is not a holy sacrifice for others’ sins, but the deserved execution of a guilty criminal (10:29). Such apostates have returned to a point where the Cross does nothing but condemn them as accomplices in murder (Acts 18:5, 6).
There is an analogy between the once-for-all character of Christ’s sacrifice for sin and the believer’s symbolic participation in that crucifixion through baptism (v. 4 note). Christ’s sacrificial death cannot be repeated. In the same way, the believer’s participation in His death, sealed by baptism (Rom. 6:3, 4; Col. 2:12), cannot be withdrawn and then repeated.
contempt. The apostasy described in ch. 6 is not a matter of private, internal doubt. It is the forceful, complete, and public rejection of a faith once confessed. As such, it has bad effects for others as well as for the apostate (12:15).
6:4 once been enlightened. That is, had the knowledge of God disclosed in the gospel message (10:26; John 1:9; 2 Cor. 4:4–6) and publicly confessed in baptism. In early Christian writings, conversion and baptism were sometimes termed “enlightenment.” The Greek word for “once” is prominent in Hebrews. It is used in connection with the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ in 10:2, 10.
tasted the heavenly gift. Some see here a reference to participation in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Or the phrase could be paired with “enlightened” as a broad description of apparent conversion.
shared in the Holy Spirit. They had some experience with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but it is not necessary to conclude that regeneration is specifically intended.
6:5 powers of the age to come. Most obviously, the signs and wonders that accompanied the introduction of the gospel (2:4 note).
6:6 if they then fall away. There is a kind of falling away that is irreversible (1 John 5:16). Christian salvation is final (10:4), and the decision to reject it, if made at a certain level, cannot be reversed. According to 1 John 2:19, anyone who makes such a decision was not really a member of the household of faith, although they may have seemed to be. Judas Iscariot is the clearest example of someone who participated in the coming of the kingdom, but did not enter it (Matt. 26:47–49; cf. Matt. 7:21–23). This warning is not to encourage speculation about whether others are irretrievably lost, but urges us to cling closely to the Savior ourselves. See “The Unpardonable Sin” at Mark 3:29.
crucifying once again the Son of God. By renouncing their faith in Christ they declare that Christ’s cross is not a holy sacrifice for others’ sins, but the deserved execution of a guilty criminal (10:29). Such apostates have returned to a point where the Cross does nothing but condemn them as accomplices in murder (Acts 18:5, 6).
There is an analogy between the once-for-all character of Christ’s sacrifice for sin and the believer’s symbolic participation in that crucifixion through baptism (v. 4 note). Christ’s sacrificial death cannot be repeated. In the same way, the believer’s participation in His death, sealed by baptism (Rom. 6:3, 4; Col. 2:12), cannot be withdrawn and then repeated.
contempt. The apostasy described in ch. 6 is not a matter of private, internal doubt. It is the forceful, complete, and public rejection of a faith once confessed. As such, it has bad effects for others as well as for the apostate (12:15).
RJ
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B-A-C, since I take that you feel that even though, you are born again, the spirit of God lives in you and he said he would never leave or forsake you, and yet, you feel that you could "fall away" to apostasy and all out rejection of Jesus Christ, then I pray for you and hope you never fail!
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It says He won't leave us, it doesn't say anything about us not leaving Him. Thanks for the prayers.
I don't think this happens by accident, nor do I think it's easy to do. I doubt it could even be done in the heat of the moment.
(i.e. God how could you let my wife die, I'll never forgive you). I think it's difficult to do, but I've seen it happen enough times
to know it can be done. These are people who were sold out for God for many many years.
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You prove my point, if he is still in you that is not the same as "falling away" spoken of in Hebrews!
- God's word is perfect. You are not perfect and have no way of knowing what is in a man's heart, so your example is erroneous.
- Search your own heart, there in is the truth....can you now fall away to apostasy?
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Thanks, I will add anything new to me here and fortify my understanding!
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This is pretty much what I believe. We shouldn't try to cut the edge off of the 6th chapter of Hebrews, but that doesn't mean that it contradicts any other section of scripture either. The Lord knows who are His.
2 Timothy 2
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
RJ
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Could you personally choose to fall away to apostasy?
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Yes, yes, yes, but what about the times that you don't see your sin and therefore don't repent?
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I believe there is grace for this. But I've heard from different Pastors that we should ask God to reveal and remind us of sins we've done in the past so we can ask
forgiveness for them. I have done this myself and actually found it to be very uplifting. I don't think this is necessarily "required", more of an optional thing, but
it helped me get past some things in my past several years ago. Also the other benefit to praying this way, is that "next time" that sin situation comes along
you can recognize it. Hopefully before you sin, but even if it's after the sin, at least you know you did it and can ask for forgiveness.
If you're hard headed like me, this may happen 2 or 3 times before you start recognizing a pattern in your life.
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Greetings B-A-C
I used to think that this scripture said there was no hope for them so I had to question if I was saved or not or if several pastors that I have heard speak were saved or not for all had turned their backs on God and walked away.
Now God being the Loving Father that He is sent me to a very long study on this....
Long and short of this scripture.............What it DOES NOT SAY...........Is that these people can not return to God nor will they.
What it is saying is this..........these are the kind of people (HEARTS) That you or I can talk them back or change their minds.
HOWEVER God Can ! We are these type of peoples hope...........it is through our prayers and standing for them that God can work in their hearts and He does this in many different ways.
Mark 10:27 and Luke 1:37 and Luke 18:27 and Mathew 19:26 ALL of these scriptures tell us that what man can not do GOD CAN
So becareful how you treat those who have turned and walked away from God..........You May Be Their Only Hope.....you do not want to stand before the Father and find out.........oops sorry about that......I did not know this.
God Bless
Jim
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This scripture scares me sometimes. I know at times I do stumble and fall, but I also know that when I am actively sinning, the Holy Spirit is screaming at me to stop and repent. I believe this is where grace comes in. God could easily throw all of us into the fire (and we deserve it), but he chooses not to. Even when we stumble and sin (we all do), Jesus is always there beside us. He doesn't leave and that is where my hope lies.
