Article by: Sarah Koontz
The book of Hebrews establishes the superior person, priesthood, and power of Jesus Christ while encouraging believers to persevere in faith as they endure persecution.
The author also repeatedly warns his listeners of the spiritual consequences of neglecting God’s Word.
Although the author is unknown, the inspiration and canonicity of the book have been widely accepted since it was written to Jewish Christians around AD 64-70.
In this article, we will complete a biblical exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6 HCSB, which says, “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.”
Together, we will seek to answer questions about the author’s original purpose and intended meaning.
Specifically, we will consider “What does ‘falling away’ mean?” and “What does ‘renewal to repentance’ mean?” in this context.
We will also explore various interpretations regarding who this passage is addressing and what their offense is.
Before we tackle the interpretive questions and concerns surrounding this text, we will establish the general context of the book of Hebrews, develop an understanding of the five warning passages it includes, and take a closer look at the surrounding verses.
Once we have studied the general context of the passage, we will seek to understand the linguistic cues offered by the author and explore the various interpretations and implications of this Scripture.
We will conclude our exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6 by considering its relevance in our lives and contemplating some practical application points.
If you would like to review my sources and extensive footnotes for this article, please download the PDF Version Here.
Before we tackle the interpretive questions and concerns surrounding this text, we will establish the general context of the book of Hebrews.
A Biblical Exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6: Understanding the Context of the Passage
The author of Hebrews included five warnings in his letter.
Each warning highlights the importance of obeying God’s Word and exposes the consequences of failing to do so.
It is important to note that the passage we are studying today is part of a larger warning passage (Heb 5:11-6:20).
Therefore, to understand the author’s intent in including these statements, we must consider them in light of the contextual clues we gather from the other warnings.
The five warnings are based on Old Testament truths, and the author presupposes the reader’s detailed knowledge of the Old Testament Levitical system.
A unifying concept in the warning passages is found in Hebrews 2:1, where the author urges his readers not to “drift away.”
Just like the Jewish people failed to follow the laws and commands God established for them (Pr 3:21), the author of Hebrews is concerned that the first-century Christians will abandon the gospel of Jesus Christ (Heb 13:7-9).
An excellent summary verse for the third warning passage (Heb 5:11-6:20) can be found in Hebrews 6:12 NIV, where it says, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”
The concepts of spiritual immaturity (Heb 5:11-14; 6:7-8) and maturity (Heb 6:1-3, 10-12) are highlighted and contrasted throughout this section of the book.
Apparently, some believers were considering a return to Judaism.
Even though they had professed Christ and had experienced the blessings and benefits of Christianity, they were tempted to return to the very people who crucified their Lord.
This passage is an urgent call to remain true to their faith and a reminder of the spiritual consequences if they fail to heed this warning.
This passage is an urgent call to remain true to their faith and a reminder of the spiritual consequences if they fail to heed this warning.
A Biblical Exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6: Defining Key Terms and Phrases
To properly execute a biblical exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6, we must take a closer look at three key terms and phrases that the author included in this text.
We will not only define these terms, but we will also look at other passages where this language is used in the Scriptures.
For some terms, we will consider alternatives that the author could have utilized but decided against in this instance.
“Having fallen away”
parapiptó (par-ap-ip’-to)
Interestingly, the author did not use the term apostēnai in our key text. If he had used apostēnai instead of parapiptó, it would be appropriate to interpret this phrase as, “to become faithless, to depart or withdraw self.” Instead, the term he used in Hebrews 6:6 (parapiptó) means, “to slip aside, deviate from the right path; to err, wander.” Although this is the only exact usage of this term found in the New Testament, there is a similar term used more often in the Scriptures: paráptōma, meaning, “a false step, trespass.”
“Impossible”
adunatos (ad-oo’-nat-os)
This Greek term means “unable, powerless, impotent, weak.” It is helpful to review the author’s use of this term in other contexts including: (1) it is impossible for God to prove false (6:18), (2) it is impossible for blood animals to remove sin (10:14), and (3) it is impossible to please God without faith (11:6). Each of these illustrations include absolute statements with no stipulations. Therefore, it is wise to infer that this term in this instance is communicating an impossibility for humans, not for God.
“Renewal to repentance”
anakainízō (an-ak-ahee-nid’-zo) to metánoia (met-an’-oy-ah)
The term often translated “to renew” in Hebrews 6:6 is another single-use term in Scripture. This makes it difficult to establish a contextual understanding of the usage, but the term is simply defined as, “to restore (bring back) by renewing.” There is a similar word (anakainizó) used in 2 Corinthians 4:16 and Colossians 3:10 that is helpful to study. The term for repentance is metanoia and it means, “a change of mind.”
To properly execute a biblical exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6, we must take a closer look at three key terms and phrases that the author included in this text.
A Biblical Exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6: Considering Various Interpretations of this Passage
There is much confusion and disagreement within the church regarding this passage of Scripture.
For this article, I will highlight four key positions: this passage (1) encourages believers to keep moving forward because they might lose their salvation if they don’t (2) is speaking about people who never had a genuine salvation experience to begin with, (3) is focused on earthly blessings and heavenly rewards, rather than salvation and eternal security, and (4) contains a hypothetical case to prove that true believers cannot lose their salvation.
Position 1: “Opposing this interpretation are those passages of Scripture which assure believers that God will keep them in security (Jn 6:39, 40; 10:27–29; Rm 11:29; Phil 1:6; 1 Pt 1:5).” Also, “both Testaments depict faith as a state of assurance founded upon divinely given assurances.” Therefore, I must disagree wholeheartedly with this position.
Position 2: The idea of tasting the heavenly gift implies more than just knowledge of the truth. It implies an experience of it (Ps 34:8, 1 Pt 2:3).” Also, the reference that is made to the Holy Spirit distinguishes this person from someone with mere knowledge of God’s gift (Eph 1:13, 2 Cor 1:22). Therefore, this interpretation doesn’t seem appropriate either.
Position 3: Clearly, the intended audience for this book is true believers (3:1, 14). It is also apparent from other passages that Christians can “sin unto death” (1 Cor 11:30-32, 1 Jn 5:16-17). Therefore, a possible explanation of this passage would be: “People become so completely sinful that God gives them up to a reprobate heart,” but the consequences do not extend to eternal security or salvation. This position is more plausible than the previous one based on the context of the passage.
Position 4: “It is probable that he was describing a hypothetical case to prove his point that a true believer cannot lose his salvation.” The change of pronouns in Hebrews 6:4 (from we/us to those) and the clarification in Hebrews 6:9 (confidence of better things in your case) supports this position. The main idea behind this interpretation is this: If you could lose your salvation, it would be impossible to get it back (because it would require Christ to be crucified again). That is WHY I believe that you CANNOT lose your salvation.
If you could lose your salvation, it would be impossible to get it back because it would require Christ to be crucified again.
A Biblical Exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6: Interpreting the Original Purpose and Intended Meaning
Based on the contextual clues surrounding this text and our word study of the specific language of the text, it’s time for us to interpret the author’s original purpose and intended meaning.
In regard to this often misunderstood and misapplied passage of Scripture, Dr. Warren Weirsbe wrote, “We always interpret the obscure by the obvious.“
There are many verses in Scripture that assure the true believer that he can never be lost (Heb 6:13-20, Jn 5:4,10:26-30, Rm 8:28-39).
It is also critical to note that, contextually, this passage is wedged between two assurances of the sufficiency of the salvific work of Christ (Heb 5:8-10; 6:19-20).
The three verses preceding our text include a call to spiritual progress.
In essence, they are reminding the readers that “you use the basics to go on to better things.”
This leads me to believe that the author’s purpose is not to scare his readers, but to assure them of God’s willingness to take extreme measures to bring maturity to their lives.
Whether the example in Hebrews 6:4-6 is purely hypothetical or not is unclear, but also not critical to our understanding of the text.
This writer feels that the author of Hebrews included this passage to urge his readers forward in faith and remind them that a faith-filled life is filled with blessings that no other lifestyle can offer them.
Not only earthly blessings, but eternal ones.
The two verses following this passage speak of a field that fails to produce and the judgment it receives.
It is not destroyed, but it is treated harshly.
I believe this is the fate of an unrepentant believer in Christ.
Their hard hearts evoke swift and strong consequences doled out by almighty God to bring them to repentance.
Therefore, I do not believe the author is addressing the topic of salvation, but rather he is focusing on the process of sanctification in the life of one who is actively resisting God and failing to produce fruit.
The author of Hebrews included this passage to urge his readers forward in faith and remind them that a faith-filled life is filled with blessings that no other lifestyle can offer them.
A Biblical Exposition of Hebrews 6:4-6: Concluding Thoughts and Practical Application
The most life-changing quality of exegetical Bible study is the part that comes after we interpret the passage—the application process.
As Christians, we must always seek to order our lives according to God’s Word and God’s design.
To do this well, we study the Scriptures in light of their historical, literary, linguistic, and cultural contexts.
Then we look at the larger context of the passage and eliminate possible interpretations that fail to consider the whole counsel of Scripture.
This passage urges us to move beyond spiritual immaturity and pursue godliness in every aspect of our lives.
It reminds us of the far-reaching consequences of failing to fortify our faith and choosing to walk in rebellion.
It shows us the goodness of God and reveals the extreme measures He will take to ensure our lives are fruitful.
Let us make every effort to humble our hearts and turn away from the temptations of this world, so that we may never experience the divine consequences God has reserved for the unrepentant believer.
If you would like to review my sources and extensive footnotes for this article, please download the PDF Version Here.
