Bible Questions & Answers Archive 

 Hebrews 6:4-6
By Dr. Max D. Younce
0039

 Question 

What is meant by Hebrews 6:4-6? Does that mean that those who fall away can never be restored to repentance?

 Answer 

This portion of Scripture is attempted to be used by some to show that a born-again believer can lose his salvation. That is not what Hebrews 6:4-6 teaches. If it were true, then a person who lost his salvation could never be saved again, because Verse 4 says "it would be impossible " for those who were saved to again be "renewed unto repentance" (v.6).

Now...let us see the very simple lesson these verses do teach. First, this passage is speaking of the saved as they "have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST " (v.4). In Verse 6, "seeing they crucify" would be better translated "While they are crucifying to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame."

How does a Christian do this? By living a life that is disgraceful to the Lord. Until a person changes his mind about the way he is living and decides to "walk (obey) in the light as he is in the light" there can be no fellowship. (I John 1:7.) Hebrews 6 is speaking of fellowship, not sonship. Hebrews 6:1 makes this clear. "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ (our salvation), let us go on into perfection..." (maturity). After salvation, we are admonished to "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...", (II Peter 3:18).

In Hebrews 6:7 the Holy Spirit uses the earth which absorbs the rain and then produces the herbs as an object lesson for the Christian. God wants the Christian to absorb His word and live a life that is pleasing to Him and a blessing to others. In Verse 8 the lesson is that the "thorns and briars" in a Christian’s life will be burned at the Judgment Seat of Christ. I Corinthians 3:11-15 can be referenced to Hebrews 6:7,8. Notice Verse 14 of I Corinthians. "If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward". This is the same as Hebrews 6:7. Now Verse 15 in I Corinthians 3, "If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss (same as Hebrews 6:8): but HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire."