In this chapter the writer digresses to scold his readers for slowing down in their spiritual life; they may even be turning around, backtracking, in their walk with God and their Messiah.
Hebrews 6:1-3, Moving on to maturity
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
This is a clear call to stepping up to more serious growth as a Christian and not hanging out at the "Jesus Saves" introductory level of spiritual understanding. The readers are called to move on to maturity in (1) faith in God, (2) instruction about baptisms (?!), (3) laying on of hands, (4) resurrection of the dead, (5) eternal judgment.
Although the writer hopes to eventually move on, he/she has to digress too far, apparently, to cover some of this. How I would like to know what was going to be said about "the laying on of hands" or "instructions on baptisms"! Was the writer prevented by immature Christians from continuing in these instructions? Or did God have a better plan and not intend for these more esoteric discussions to appear here?
Instructions on baptisms could also be "cleansing rites".
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
This is a clear call to stepping up to more serious growth as a Christian and not hanging out at the "Jesus Saves" introductory level of spiritual understanding. The readers are called to move on to maturity in (1) faith in God, (2) instruction about baptisms (?!), (3) laying on of hands, (4) resurrection of the dead, (5) eternal judgment.
Although the writer hopes to eventually move on, he/she has to digress too far, apparently, to cover some of this. How I would like to know what was going to be said about "the laying on of hands" or "instructions on baptisms"! Was the writer prevented by immature Christians from continuing in these instructions? Or did God have a better plan and not intend for these more esoteric discussions to appear here?
Instructions on baptisms could also be "cleansing rites".
Footnote on "acts that lead to death" in verse 1: could be translated "from useless rituals".
Hebrews 6:4-8, True enlightenment carries responsibilities
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
This is a strange instruction about turning back. Some say it teaches one can lose their salvation. If so, it then teaches that the salvation is lost forever. I think it warns a group of people of the dangers of faking it.
I am reminded of the writings of C. S. Lewis here. In the C. S. Lewis book, The Great Divorce, Lewis describes a number of people with varying degrees of understanding and enlightenment, who cannot quite make the step to truly giving their life over to God. Included in the group are a number of ministers and some "good" people, people who like "doing good", not because they see God, but because it gives them rewards and control. A particularly memorable passage involves Frank, represented by a dwarf and the Tragedian; Tragedian is an outer pretense that Frank maintains. Although a beautiful lady (Frank's former wife) attempts to get Frank to see the joy represented by God, at the last moment, the Dwarf turns away and the Tragedian takes over. (A synopsis is here.) This a regular theme of Lewis -- that people can look good or look religious, without the deep change that occurs when they truly meet God.
Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
This is a strange instruction about turning back. Some say it teaches one can lose their salvation. If so, it then teaches that the salvation is lost forever. I think it warns a group of people of the dangers of faking it.
I am reminded of the writings of C. S. Lewis here. In the C. S. Lewis book, The Great Divorce, Lewis describes a number of people with varying degrees of understanding and enlightenment, who cannot quite make the step to truly giving their life over to God. Included in the group are a number of ministers and some "good" people, people who like "doing good", not because they see God, but because it gives them rewards and control. A particularly memorable passage involves Frank, represented by a dwarf and the Tragedian; Tragedian is an outer pretense that Frank maintains. Although a beautiful lady (Frank's former wife) attempts to get Frank to see the joy represented by God, at the last moment, the Dwarf turns away and the Tragedian takes over. (A synopsis is here.) This a regular theme of Lewis -- that people can look good or look religious, without the deep change that occurs when they truly meet God.
Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
Hebrews 6:9-12, Better things for you!
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case--things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case--things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
The passage is now upbeat and encouraging, as if the writer knows his readers, at some deeper level, have been serious about their faith and need to be merely reminded.
Hebrews 6:13-15, Swearing by himself
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
Hebrews 6: 16-18, A strong oath, strong promise
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
What are the two unchangeable things?
Hebrews 6: 19-20, Behind the curtain of the sanctuary
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
The quote is from Genesis 22:17. This is an apparent tangent? It is a strange argument... that God needs to swear by Himself?!
Hebrews 6: 16-18, A strong oath, strong promise
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
What are the two unchangeable things?
Hebrews 6: 19-20, Behind the curtain of the sanctuary
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
We are encouraged to follow Jesus into the inner sanctuary, "behind the curtain."
In the next post we go on to a serious conversation about Melchizedek. (Yes, Melchizedek!)
The warning against turning away is a warning to maintain the human side of perseverance. My issue with expressing perseverance of the saints as "eternal security" is that it frequently works itself out, so conceived of, as a notion that since a person prayed a prayer in a moment of emotion, he's good from then on. I don't see that anywhere in the Bible. The faith that saves also perseveres. Turning away, falling or drifting away, should prompt examination of the nature of one's faith. And there is such a phenomenon as Esau, who will be mentioned later. There is a point of no return from rejection of the Gospel or persistently treating it with contempt.
ReplyDeleteYes. And it is wrong (as some may tend to do) to read this passage as an essay in systematic theology. It is, instead, a very human pastoral scolding from a concerned mentor who has worked closely with the readers. His (her?) anxiety rises to the top in this part of the sermon. Then briefly at the end of the passage, this scolding, as others, returns to encouragement.
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