The danger of falling away!

Scripture is a gift from God which demands our full attention. Some passages clearly proclaim what God wants us to know. Others require much prayer, study and personal examination in order to understand what God has written to us. Hebrews 6:4-8 probably tops the list of passages that cause us to cry out for discernment. It is helpful to understand that the writer of Hebrews is not writing a theological treatise but a letter from a pastor’s heart.

Donald Hagner rightfully states, . . . he is very anxious for the ultimate well-being of his readers. They must know the grave seriousness of falling away from their Christian faith and recognize that there is no easy way back from apostasy. The point of this letter is to motivate readers to spiritual maturity. Hebrews is not just a series of warning passages but a message of hope. As will be seen in the next section, Hebrews 6:9 is an encouragement to the readers that God has better things in store for them, and for you and for me.

There are numerous interpretations by Godly commentators concerning this passage. The ones most worthy of consideration are warnings for believers who may lose salvation; for those who profess faith but were never saved; a hypothetical view (if a Christian could lose salvation there could be no repentance); and for believers who apostasize (rejecting Christ, not falling into sin). All warnings center on repentance. A proper definition of repentance is a change of mind in thought and behavior concerning sin and righteousness.

The writer describes the spiritual background of those who are in danger of apostasy. They are described as enlightened, as those who have tasted the heavenly gift, as those who shared in the Holy Spirit, as those who have tasted the goodness of God’s Word and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away.

There are no easy answers for Hebrews 6:4-8. Proper understanding should not be for the purpose of gaining theological points but to have the mind of Christ. This passage has real answers for real people with real needs. I believe there are principles of interpretation which help us gain the insight we need to live in the real world. A proper understanding of this and other warning passages in Hebrews must center on the original recipients, Jewish Christians, and the writer’s intended purpose, that they move on to spiritual maturity. Of course, proper interpretation demands an understanding which is compatible with clear passages. Scripture never contradicts itself. This warning passage is serious and should not be taken lightly. Yet, it must not be made to say more than what is intended by the Holy Spirit.

The following quotes encouraged me to dig deep and pray hard concerning this passage. First, William Barclay, Sin does not only break God’s law; it breaks his heart. Second, Thomas Kem Oberholtzer, The illustration clearly shows that a judgment is in view. Is this judgment temporal discipline of believers or a final judgment resulting in eternal damnation?

I encourage you to join the study of Hebrews 6:4-8 under the Books of the Bible tab. I believe God wants us to know His Word in order to live it. I pray the conclusions are biblically sound and profitable for training in righteousness. God does have better things in store for all who place their faith in Christ alone.