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The Warning In Hebrews 6
The Warning In Hebrews 6
The writer gives repeated warnings in the book of Hebrews concerning one’s faith. Having warned about becoming dull of hearing (5:11-14), now, in 6:4-6, he speaks of those who once had been enlightened, tasted of the heavenly gift, and made partakers of the Holy Spirit, tasted the good word of God and THEN HAVE FALLEN AWAY. For such, it becomes impossible to renew them to repentance. They had already been convinced of the gospel and repented, but how do you bring them back now? Tell them the same thing? They have already heard that. Give them the same warning? They already have heard that too.
How Deal With This Passage and ‘apostasy’?
· Calvin - Calvin, convinced as he was that God kept watch over his elect, could only suppose that the tasting mentioned here was merely a partial experience and that the people concerned did not respond to it (TDNT Guthrie)
· Others, deny it applies today (the spiritual gifts and inspiration have passed) – but that does NOT answer the question of apostasy, for there would still have been those who did this.
· Some would say it is only hypothetical, it describes a situation that can not happen. My problem: the Holy Spirits so severely warns about something that can never happen? Why?
· Yet others state that these the ‘fallen away’ were NEVER believers!? Read again the Hebrew writers’ assessment: enlightened, partakers, tasted. Note the dangers is not being able to RENEW them AGAIN.
· It is a real warning – but a situation that can also be AVOIDED (going on to perfection (vs. 1-3), giving the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end (11), and not being ‘sluggish’ – trusting and patience (12). Some didn’t.
So, the writer says that he is persuaded better things of YOU – those who likewise have been enlightened, partaken, and tasted, for THEY are STILL HERE, reading this, trusting. But it is to these that are still believing that the warning is given – NOT to those who have gone away!
And you? You are still here! You are reading this. You can take heed to the warning and avoid the catastrophic end of those who AGAIN crucify the Son of God. You now “need to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end” (Heb. 6:11).
Hugh DeLong
