Hebrews 6
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CHAPTER 6
Warning Against Falling Away (6:1-12)
1 Even though these Hebrews had only been drinking “milk,” the writer now decides to give them some “solid food”—that is, more advanced and difficult teaching. The writer knows that only if they receive some solid food will they be able to grow further in their faith (Hebrews 5:14). Therefore … let us go on to maturity, says the writer. In the Christian life, either we go forward or we go backward; there is no standing still. We cannot remain in the same spiritual state for long. Like a tree, we either grow or die.
Once we have laid the foundation of our Christian faith, we don’t need to lay it again. Here in verse 1, the writer mentions two parts of this foundation which we do not need to lay again: first, REPENTANCE from acts that lead to death; and second, faith in God. These two things are the first two steps in our Christian life (see Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21). We should not need to be taught these two things over and over.
The acts that lead to death are our sins; sin results in death, spiritual death (Romans 6:21,23). Here, repentance doesn’t mean only asking for forgiveness for these acts, these sins; it also means to turn from these acts, to leave them completely.
The writer has already written above that faith in God is necessary to obtain salvation. Here, faith in God means faith in Christ, through whom we receive salvation (Hebrews 5:9).
2 In verse 1, the writer has mentioned two parts of the foundation of our Christian faith: repentance and faith. Now, in verse 2, he gives four additional parts of this foundation; once we have received instruction in these matters, we should not need to be instructed about them again and again.
The four additional parts to the foundation of our faith are: first, BAPTISMS; second, the laying on of hands; third, the RESURRECTION of the dead; and fourth, eternal (or final) JUDGMENT. These four things, in addition to the two things mentioned in verse 1, are the main doctrines ofour Christian faith; these things make up the foundation for our lives. Once the foundation has been laid, it does not need to be laid again.
The laying on of hands has been a custom in the church from New Testament times up to the present. The laying on of hands is done to impart the Holy Spirit to someone, or to appoint someone to a special task in the church, or to heal the sick (see Acts 6:6; 8:17; 9:12,17; 19:6). The laying on of hands in itself does not magically accomplish these things; rather, the laying on of hands is a confirmation of our faith that the Holy Spirit is accomplishing these works.
3 In verse 1, the writer has said that we should leave the elementary teachings about Christ (the six elementary teachings listed in verses 1-2), and go on to maturity. Having laid the foundation of our faith, let us not spend time laying it again; rather, let us now build on it. Therefore, says the writer, God permitting, we will do so. The writer says, God permitting, because everything we are and everything we do is by the permission and the grace of God.
4-6 Here the writer explains why it is pointless to lay the foundation of elementary teachings a second time. The reason is this: Once a person has learned these basic teachings—especially the teachings about repentance and faith (verse 1)—and then after learning them turns away from them, it is impossible for that person to be brought back to repentance (verse 6). It is impossible to lay the foundation a second time.
Here in verses 4-6, we see a very important doctrinal teaching. The writer here is describing certain people who have once been enlightened (who have seen the light of the Gospel), who have tasted the heavenly gift(the blessings of Christ), who have shared in the Holy Spirit (verse 4), and who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age (verse 5). In these verses, the writer certainly seems to be describing people who are true Christians. Nevertheless, the writer says here that such people can deliberately and knowingly abandon their faith. And if they do that—if they fall away—there is no hope for them. They can not be brought back to repentance.
What does it mean here to fall away? The writer is obviously not talking here about committing small sins, or about wandering briefly out of God’s will—which all of us do from time to time. Rather, the writer is talking here about the greatest and most fearful sin of all. That sin is this: to reject God’s light after having seen it; to reject Christ after having received Christ’s gifts and blessings. Those who do this are crucifying the Son of God all over again (verse 6). Such people no longer have a mind to repent. Their hearts have become hardened. God’s grace cannot touch them.11 Such people have committed the sin which cannot be forgiven—that is, the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Mark 3:28-29. The Apostle John calls that sin the sin that leads to death (1 John 5:16). Those who reject the salvation offered by Christ will find salvation nowhere else (see Hebrews 10:26-27; 2 Peter 2:20-21). Christ offers hope to the fallen; but to those who have fallen away from Him, He can offer nothing.
Here a question arises: Is it possible for a true Christian to fall away and lose his salvation? Some Christians say it is possible; they point out that the people mentioned in this section who have fallen away once shared in the Holy Spirit (verse 4); only true Christians can share in the Holy Spirit.
But other Christians believe that is not possible for a true Christian to lose his salvation. Those who believe this say that here in verses 4-6 the writer of Hebrews is only giving a warning; he is not saying that a true Christian actually can fall away permanently. They say that the writer of Hebrews here is simply admonishing believers who are sinning and whose faith is weak, in order that they might not fall away.
But still another question remains. How can one distinguish between a true Christian and a false Christian? In the beginning, it is often impossible to tell them apart. Take, for example, two people who say they believe in Christ, both ofwhom appear to be true Christians. But then one of them falls away. No one could have known that would happen. In Jesus’ parable of the sower, some seed fell on rocky places and some seed fell among thorns. Initially, just like the seed that fell on good soil, these seeds sprouted and grew rapidly (Mark 4:5-7). It was only after the sun (persecution) and thorns (temptation) camethatitwaspossibleto distinguish between the bad soil and the good soil. In the beginning the seeds grew equally well; only later did the seeds planted in the rocky and thorny soil die.
In the same way, only after trials and temptation come upon a man and he falls completely away can we then say of him, “He is not a true Christian.” Before that, we must never doubt another man’s faith. When times of trial and testing come, the false Christian will fall away. But the true Christian will stand firm, and at the right time (like the seed planted on good soil), he will mature and bear fruit (see Matthew 7:24-27; 13:24-30 and comments).
It is necessary to add one further thing here. Some Christians act for a time as if they had fallen away. They fall into sin. Their faith withers. But they do not completely fall away. Their inner minds and consciences are burdened; they desire to repent. For such people there is hope. They have not totally rejected Christ. However, their situation is very dangerous; because if they refuse for long to repent, they may lose forever the chance to return to Christ.
Therefore, let us not say: “I can never fall away; I will never fall.” Let us remember Paul’s words: So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). It is possible for us to reject God’s grace and to deny Christ. Only God knows who will stand firm to the end.12
7-8 We can distinguish between true and false Christians by their fruit (see Matthew 7:17-20). These fruits are principally the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Christ chose us to bear fruit—fruit that will last (John 15:16). He did not choose us to bear thorns and thistles, which in the end will be burned (verse 8).
Some people suppose that bearing fruit means to preach, to prophesy, and to do miracles, and that when we do these things it proves we are true Christians. But that is not so. Satan and his evil spirits can also do these things (Mark 13:22). There is only one kind oftrue fruit, and that is the fruit that is produced by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us (see Matthew 7:22-23 and comment).
9 The writer has just finished giving these Hebrews a terrible warning. But he now becomes gentler. Here he expresses his confidence that they will not fall away.
10 God will not fail to reward us for the “fruit” we offer to Him—in particular, the fruit of our love and faithfulness.
How did these Hebrews show love to God? They showed their love to Him by helping his people—that is, believers. When we do an act of love for any of God’s people, we do it also for God (see Matthew 25:34-40).
11-12 The writer wants these Hebrews to continue to show this same diligence to the very end—that is, their diligence in showing love to God, which the writer mentioned in verse 10. Why does he urge the Hebrews to show their diligence to the very end? So that they might make [their] hope sure. Their hope is that they will inherit what has been promised (verse 12). If they continue loving God and being faithful to Him to the very end, their hope of receiving their inheritance in heaven will be sure; it will be guaranteed (see Mark 13:13; Galatians 6:9; 2 Peter 1:10-11). Only through faith and patience will we inherit what has been promised—namely, eternal life in heaven. To put it in Paul’s words, we must continue to work out [our] salvation with fear andtrembling (Philippians 2:12).
The Certainty of God’s Promise (6:1320)
13-15 God promised Abraham: “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you” (Genesis 12:2). But at that time Abraham was seventy-five years old, and had no children. Without a son, how could Abraham be the father of a great nation?
Abraham had to wait another twenty-five years before he got a son. When he was one hundred years old, Abraham’s wife gave birth to a son, Isaac. Thus, through Isaac, the promise God had given to Abraham could now be fulfilled (Genesis 17:1517; 21:1-3). In this way, after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised (verse 15).
Then God again tested Abraham’s faith. He told Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. That is, God told Abraham to kill this son, for whom he had patiently waited for so long! So Abraham, obeying, made preparations for the sacrifice. Then, when God had seen Abraham’s faith and obedience, He at the last moment stopped Abraham from killing his son (see Genesis 22:114). And at that time God repeated the promise He had given to Abraham earlier (Genesis 22:15-18). But this time when God made the promise, he swore by himself, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants” (verse 14). The writer here quotes from Genesis 22:16-17.
16-17 God’s word is certain. But here God has confirmed His word or promise with an oath (verse 17). Therefore, God has made His promise to Abraham even more certain! Why did God confirm His promise with an oath? The reason is this: He wanted to make … his purpose clear to the heirs of what was promised. And who are the heirs of what was promised? It is we, who believe in Christ. We are the true spiritual heirs of Abraham through faith (Galatians 3:7,9). The promise that God gave to Abraham is now given to us. We who believe in Christ have been made God’s people, God’s family. And we shall obtain our full inheritance in heaven.
18 We who have fled—fled from evil, from Satan—can take hold of the hope offered to us. That hope is the hope we have of receiving an inheritance in heaven as Abraham’s spiritual heirs. We can take hold of that hope with complete faith. That hope is firm and secure (verse 19), because it has been confirmed by two unchangeable things—namely, God’s word and God’s oath. Therefore, we can be greatly encouraged.
19 In the midst of trials and troubles—even when death is near—we can take hold of this hope. Our hope is firm and secure in God; it is like an anchor.
The writer says here that our hope enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain—that is, the place where God is. This inner sanctuary was an inner room in the Jewish tabernacle or temple13 (Hebrews 9:1-3), where the Jews believed God dwelled. Once each year the high priest would enter this room to make atonement for the sins ofthe people in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:7). Thus, when the writer of Hebrews says that our hope enters the inner sanctuary, he means that our hope is fixed on God Himself.
20 Jesus, on our behalf, has gone before us and entered this inner sanctuary—that is, heaven. He has ascended into heaven into the presence of God to make atonement for our sins. Jesus has become our true and permanent high priest in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6,10). Jesus is the high priest on whom our hope is fixed. Jesus is the King, the Son of God, through whom the promise of God to Abraham has been fulfilled. Jesus is our forerunner, our leader, who has gone into heaven before us. He has opened the way for us to enter into the very presence of God (see Hebrews 10:19-22).