Sir, how would you interpret this passage?
Hebrews 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,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
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.
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Here are some observations:
Hebrews was written to Hebrew believers in Jesus Christ who were under the
temptation of reverting back to their old covenant religion, that is, of
falling away from their faith in Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul wrote to exhort
them to hold fast.
Hebrews 10:23 KJT
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised."
"For it is impossible... 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."
The subjects of the passage are described as those
- that were enlightened
- that tasted of the heavenly gift
- that were partakers of the Holy Ghost
- that tasted the good word of God
- that tasted the powers of the world to come
1. Of whom are these statements describing?
- those still dead in trespasses and sins, or,
- those who are effectually called by God, AS WELL AS converted to Jesus Christ
by the ministry of the word?
- another group?
2. "If they shall fall away..."
- those described in 1 above CAN fall away.
- fall away from what? (take careful note that falling away from their faith in
Christ and falling away from the state of grace into which they have been
effectually called are vastly different!)
- What does it mean to fall away?
- How does the passage describe the falling away?
("... they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh,
and put him to an open shame.)
- Do you see the heinousness of falling away?
3. Why is it impossible to renew them again to repentance IF they should fall
away?
- What's the relationship between repentance and faith in Christ?
- How does this relationship explain the impossibility of renewing them, IF
they fall away, unto repentance?
The above may help you to do your own interpretation.
After rightly dividing (interpretation) the word of truth,
make your own applications of the truths learned.
