Hebrews 6:1-8

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James A. The Danger of Profession without Possession (vv. 1–8)

The Danger of Profession without Possession

The friend that never grows up but wants you to stay with them.

Hebrews 6:1–8 ESV

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

The Danger of Profession without Possession (vv. 1-8)

Main Idea of — God provides hope to help us endure in our faith commitment to Jesus

Supporting Idea vv. 1-8—Believers must move beyond immature practices which lead to spiritual defeat.

Profession of Faith & “Dead” Works (vv. 1-3)

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 1. Profession of Faith and “Dead” Works (vv. 1–3)

6:1. Chapter 5 of Hebrews concludes by pointing out the immaturity of the readers. This verse describes what a mature believer must leave behind in growing beyond immaturity.

We have an appeal to look forward and backward: “leave the elementary teachings about Christ…go on to maturity.

To the Hebrews audience:

Move beyond the initial understanding of Christianity that has similarities to Judaism and desire growth which only God could ultimately give. They must escape from the doldrums of halfhearted commitment.

The author gives 6 statements about elementary doctrine and called the audience to not stagnate in them but rather move courageously through them. We have 3 couplets:

Repentance & Faith —The hearers were called to progress beyond teaching the need to repent of works which lead to death. Instead of involving themselves in dead works, they must respond in faith to God’s provision in Christ. “We must settle forever the fact that we come to God by relying on the provision of Jesus. We cannot remain in a life of sin and disobedience. The readers of Hebrews my have dallied around with sin and may have avoided full commitment to Christ.

Washing and Laying on of Hands—Washing & baptism are familiar to Jews as a ritual cleansing and part of their spiritual routine. Maybe the readers of Hebrews had lingered too long in reflecting on this as a sole importance. The laying on of hands in the NT often related to the conferring of special gifts (; ), which the readers bay have been too absorbed in or focused on the rituals instead of the provisions of Christ

Resurrection of the Dead & Eternal Judgment—Both of these are important Christian doctrines to understand but should not be emphasized to the exclusion of further biblical understanding.

These six issues contain important truths which Christians must understand but not remain in them only without further maturity. They may have tried to live with a minimal Christian commitment to avoid alienating their friends. It was time to “leap into the deep water of obedience and understanding.”

Now, the coming of Christ had provided a fresh understanding of some truths contained in the OT. The Hebrew audience was familiar and it was easy for them to go with what they had been told or the culture they were raised in. Maybe out of fear of persecution, fear of losing friends, fear of the pressures around them. It would have been easy for them to hold on to the culture they were used to and some of the interest in the above while surrendering the Christian distinctives.

However, if they abandoned Christ and mouthed an allegiance to the teachings of verses 1-2, they could expect no help from Christ. They needed to remain committed Christians and begin maturing. God wants maturity of his people. They/we need God’s help becuae maturity doesn’t come automatically. They are called to consider God, follow the conditions, and follow them carefully.

2. A warning to those who merely profess their faith. (vv. 4-5)

The readers had some revelation of Jesus Christ. They claim to be enlightened (idea of enlightenment, , where unbelievers fail to see in Jesus “the light of the gospel.”

The readers have “tasted the heavenly gift.” Probalby have claimed to have experienced a vital relationship with Jesus Christ, claim to have faith in Christ, and have been urged to demonstraite their faith by their works.

The readers had “shared in the Holy Spirit. They had experiencced some gifts, influences, and tugs from the Holy Spirit

They had “tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age.”

Jesus himself had spoken of the day when some of his professing followers would say to him, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” (). Jesus would reply to these startled disciples, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers” (). The readers enjoyed a sample of Christian experience, including a knowledge of the Christian message and some powerful experiences which seemed to be linked to the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures offer encouragement to the weakest believer, but they declare alarming warnings to those who carelessly presume that they are on God’s side. It is possible for an individual to approach the Word of God without any relish for its message. It is possible for a person to have something resembling Christian experience without genuinely knowing Christ. The readers of Hebrews were looking, sounding, and seeming to be like believers; but they were urged to show the reality of their faith by enduring in their commitment to Jesus.

Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.

3. The Consequences of Mere Profession of Faith (v. 6)

6:6. The severe warnings of this verse apply only to those who commit apostasy from Christ after having experienced an understanding of the gospel and some influences from Christ. The impossibility of restoration comes because those who turn away from Christ are guilty of crucifying the Son of God all over again. They also hold Jesus up for public contempt. The rejection of Christ after confessing him is an act of relentless hostility. The author of Hebrews condemned it as a condition from which a participant could not return to fellowship with God.

God will pardon all who truly repent. It is possible for human beings so to resist the grace of God that they arrive at a state of heart in which repentance is an impossibility. It is not impossible because God would not be willing to bring them to repentance, but it is impossible because the person is so hardened he will not repent. This condition is described in . People become so completely sinful that God gives them up to a reprobate heart.

The Bible promises that God will keep those who truly know him (). It also reminds us that “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (). Those who claim to have known God but who finally turn away from him demonstrate that they never knew him. presents a strong warning to willful sinners that they cannot expect restoration to God after their adamant rejection of his mercy. No person with an attitude as contemptuous as the descriptions of these verses (vv. 4–6) need expect repentance. The self-hardening has produced “an impenetrable casing which removes all sensitivity to the pleadings of the Spirit” (Donald Guthrie).

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 3. The Consequences of Mere Profession of Faith (v. 6)

3. The Consequences of Mere Profession of Faith (v. 6)

6:6. The severe warnings of this verse apply only to those who commit apostasy from Christ after having experienced an understanding of the gospel and some influences from Christ. The impossibility of restoration comes because those who turn away from Christ are guilty of crucifying the Son of God all over again. They also hold Jesus up for public contempt. The rejection of Christ after confessing him is an act of relentless hostility. The author of Hebrews condemned it as a condition from which a participant could not return to fellowship with God.

God will pardon all who truly repent. It is possible for human beings so to resist the grace of God that they arrive at a state of heart in which repentance is an impossibility. It is not impossible because God would not be willing to bring them to repentance, but it is impossible because the person is so hardened he will not repent. This condition is described in Romans 1:28. People become so completely sinful that God gives them up to a reprobate heart.

The Bible promises that God will keep those who truly know him (John 10:28–29). It also reminds us that “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Those who claim to have known God but who finally turn away from him demonstrate that they never knew him. Hebrews 6:6 presents a strong warning to willful sinners that they cannot expect restoration to God after their adamant rejection of his mercy. No person with an attitude as contemptuous as the descriptions of these verses (vv. 4–6) need expect repentance. The self-hardening has produced “an impenetrable casing which removes all sensitivity to the pleadings of the Spirit” (Donald Guthrie).

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 3. The Consequences of Mere Profession of Faith (v. 6)

The Bible promises that God will keep those who truly know him (John 10:28–29). It also reminds us that “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Those who claim to have known God but who finally turn away from him demonstrate that they never knew him. Hebrews 6:6 presents a strong warning to willful sinners that they cannot expect restoration to God after their adamant rejection of his mercy. No person with an attitude as contemptuous as the descriptions of these verses (vv. 4–6) need expect repentance. The self-hardening has produced “an impenetrable casing which removes all sensitivity to the pleadings of the Spirit” (Donald Guthrie).

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 3. The Consequences of Mere Profession of Faith (v. 6)

3. The Consequences of Mere Profession of Faith (v. 6)

6:6. The severe warnings of this verse apply only to those who commit apostasy from Christ after having experienced an understanding of the gospel and some influences from Christ. The impossibility of restoration comes because those who turn away from Christ are guilty of crucifying the Son of God all over again. They also hold Jesus up for public contempt. The rejection of Christ after confessing him is an act of relentless hostility. The author of Hebrews condemned it as a condition from which a participant could not return to fellowship with God.

God will pardon all who truly repent. It is possible for human beings so to resist the grace of God that they arrive at a state of heart in which repentance is an impossibility. It is not impossible because God would not be willing to bring them to repentance, but it is impossible because the person is so hardened he will not repent. This condition is described in Romans 1:28. People become so completely sinful that God gives them up to a reprobate heart.

The Bible promises that God will keep those who truly know him (John 10:28–29). It also reminds us that “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Those who claim to have known God but who finally turn away from him demonstrate that they never knew him. Hebrews 6:6 presents a strong warning to willful sinners that they cannot expect restoration to God after their adamant rejection of his mercy. No person with an attitude as contemptuous as the descriptions of these verses (vv. 4–6) need expect repentance. The self-hardening has produced “an impenetrable casing which removes all sensitivity to the pleadings of the Spirit” (Donald Guthrie).

4. A Comparison for Those Who Merely Profess Their Faith (vv. 7–8)

6:7–8. These verses use an agricultural illustration to present a spiritual truth. A farmer naturally expects that, given the right conditions of moisture and fertility, the land he cultivates will produce a crop. The fruitful ground responds to the conditions which God provides and produces useful results. The “thorny” ground shows that it is unworthy of God’s blessings and produces thickets and briers. A harvest of weeds, thorns, and thistles is fit only for burning. This is a picture of final destruction.

This agricultural analogy also applies to the spiritual realm. Those people or groups who produce no “good fruit” demonstrate their barrenness. The image of “burning” suggests that divine judgment lay ahead for them. Those who produce fruit give evidence that they are receiving God’s blessings. God will increase their productivity. Believers who persevere in faith are like fertile land and can expect further blessing from God. Those who profess Christ but turn from him and never produce credible evidence of commitment need the reminder that God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29).

4. A Comparison for Those Who Merely Profess Their Faith (vv. 7–8)

6:7–8. These verses use an agricultural illustration to present a spiritual truth. A farmer naturally expects that, given the right conditions of moisture and fertility, the land he cultivates will produce a crop. The fruitful ground responds to the conditions which God provides and produces useful results. The “thorny” ground shows that it is unworthy of God’s blessings and produces thickets and briers. A harvest of weeds, thorns, and thistles is fit only for burning. This is a picture of final destruction.

This agricultural analogy also applies to the spiritual realm. Those people or groups who produce no “good fruit” demonstrate their barrenness. The image of “burning” suggests that divine judgment lay ahead for them. Those who produce fruit give evidence that they are receiving God’s blessings. God will increase their productivity. Believers who persevere in faith are like fertile land and can expect further blessing from God. Those who profess Christ but turn from him and never produce credible evidence of commitment need the reminder that God is a consuming fire ().

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 4. A Comparison for Those Who Merely Profess Their Faith (vv. 7–8)

4. A Comparison for Those Who Merely Profess Their Faith (vv. 7–8)

6:7–8. These verses use an agricultural illustration to present a spiritual truth. A farmer naturally expects that, given the right conditions of moisture and fertility, the land he cultivates will produce a crop. The fruitful ground responds to the conditions which God provides and produces useful results. The “thorny” ground shows that it is unworthy of God’s blessings and produces thickets and briers. A harvest of weeds, thorns, and thistles is fit only for burning. This is a picture of final destruction.

This agricultural analogy also applies to the spiritual realm. Those people or groups who produce no “good fruit” demonstrate their barrenness. The image of “burning” suggests that divine judgment lay ahead for them. Those who produce fruit give evidence that they are receiving God’s blessings. God will increase their productivity. Believers who persevere in faith are like fertile land and can expect further blessing from God. Those who profess Christ but turn from him and never produce credible evidence of commitment need the reminder that God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29).