Hebrews 6:4-8

Hebrews 6:4-8

[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;  to themselves  the Son  of God  afresh,  and  put him to an open shame.  [7] For  the earth  which  drinketh in  the rain  that cometh  oft  upon  it,  and  bringeth forth  herbs  meet  for them  by  whom  it is dressed,  receiveth  blessing  from  God:  [8] But  that which beareth  thorns  and  briers  is rejected,  and  is nigh  unto cursing;  whose  end  is to  be burned. 

What does Hebrews 6:4-8 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The writer pointed out the consequences of not pressing on to maturity to motivate his readers to pursue spiritual growth diligently (cf. 2 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 3:8).
Christians have interpreted this passage in many different ways. Some believe that those who fall away ( Hebrews 6:6) are believers who lose their salvation. [1] Others hold that those who fall away are people who have professed to be believers but really are not. [2] Still others take the whole situation as hypothetical. They believe that if a Christian could lose his salvation, which he cannot, it would be impossible for him to be saved again. [3] Another view is that only Hebrew Christians living before the destruction of the temple could commit this sin, whatever it is. The view that I believe harmonizes best with the writer"s emphasis is that those who fall away are believers who turn away from God"s truth and embrace error (i.e, apostates). The majority of scholars view these people as genuine believers. [4]
"The transition from the first person ( Hebrews 6:1-3) to the third person suggests that the author does not wish explicitly to identify the people described with the readers of the epistle. This may be partly out of tact; it is certainly (cf. Hebrews 6:9) in part because he believes that his readers can still avoid apostasy." [5]