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Chapter 6 |
Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
1 ¶ Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, if God permit. 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 Spirit, 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, seeing that they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for those by whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God. 8 But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected and is nigh unto being cursed, and whose end is to be burned. 9 ¶ But, beloved, though we thus speak, we are persuaded that there are better things for you, things that accompany salvation. 10 For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end, 12 that ye be not slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, "Surely in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thee." 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men verily swear by the greater, and an oath of confirmation is to them an end to all strife. 17 Thereby God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we, who have fled for refuge, might have strong consolation to lay hold upon the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil, 20 where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, who is made a high priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec. |
Because of the actions of Jesus we have a greater hope in the promises offered to us. v13-20. The readers had somehow become connected with the Christian Church and had made a confession of faith, but not grown in the faith, they had moved from Judaism but had only taken on the basic Christian faith of repentance. The writer urges the readers to not turn back but go on in the faith. v1,2 You must move away from being a spiritual baby, "leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ," ‘leave behind the beginning in Christ’ and go forward to spiritual perfection (maturity)." not laying again the foundation," refers to the basic truths on which the repentance and faith are built. Man’s relationship with God involves repentance and faith, a change of attitude. ‘Dead works’ could be talking about them depending upon the Judaism teaching. "Baptism and the laying on of hands " is a symbolic relationship with the church beliefs, ‘baptism’ is dieing to the old life and the ‘laying of hands’ was the gift of the Spirit. v3 The writer is probably not prepared to lay this "foundation" again, but this is according to God’s will. The Third Warning v4-8. v4-6 Some of the readers had continued onto maturity but some had fallen away. Those who had received the "foundation" and turned away were now becoming enemies of Christ. They had tasted the good Word of God and the Holy Spirit but by falling away they were in effect going to crucify Christ again for their sins. Some have questioned this statement, they are saying that the person who has "fallen away" cannot crucify Christ again. Christian leaders have often stated that anyone who has fallen away has lost their salvation, deliberate sinning cannot be forgiven. This passage is actually talking about those who probably did not truly know Christ and they had harden their hearts against Christ. Compare Heb 10:26-31; 2 Cor 13:5; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Heb 2:1-3. v7,8 An illustration from nature is given showing the wrongness of those who turn away. Two pieces of ground are given the same treatment, one grows good crops and is blessed by God, the other just weeds who will finally be burnt as not of any use. The unfruitful ground proved unfruitful for God even though it had received all the blessings as the other ground. This passage suggest that you can lose your salvation but this is not confirmed elsewhere:- John 5:24; John 6:37; John 10:27-30; Rom 8:1; Heb 8:12. Were the people who were turning away not real Christians, like Judas Iscariot? Maybe but they appeared to have known the saving grace of Jesus. The writer may have just been saying that if a falling away does happen Christ would have to die again, that’s impossible, was he just trying to correct wrong ideas? All we know is that you cannot lose your salvation but God may have to give punishment (weeds burnt v8) to those who have turned away from Him. God’s promised comfort and hope, words of encouragement. v9-20. Following a severe warning the writer now shows that God is full of mercy and grace. v9 the writer is convicted that the readers are genuine and better things are to come for the saved. Christs justice always includes mercy and grace. v10 God knows the truth about your hearts, how you have served Him. Obviously their open confession had been more obvious at one time. v11 The readers had become lacking in energy for the work of the Lord, this was making them lack their assurance (certain) in Christ. To get over this they must throw off spiritual laziness and become followers (copy) the great heroes of faith and their inheritance of the promises, this idea the writer develops in great depth in chapter 11. v13,14 Abraham is chosen as a great example of faith. The final promise of the Lord to Abraham is in Gen 22:16, God confirms the promise and blessings to Abraham on Himself as there is no higher and it is eternal. v15 "he obtained the promise" must be referring to the giving of the promise as it would be impossible for Abraham to see the fulfilment of the promises Gen 22:17,18. The first was a great nation in his name, the second one involved the incarnation of Jesus and the sacrifice on the cross. v16 When people make a promise they may add an oath (a promise which involves a greater power), there is no greater than God, and this is used in a court of law (I promise to tell the truth etc.)."an end to all strife." shows the serious intention of the person giving the oath. v17 This human way of making promises has been taken up by God to show how sincere He was with the promise, it would be fulfilled. v18-20 We have a better confidence, trust. God’s promise contain two unchangeable statements, it is "impossible for God to lie" or deceive. The Word of God is always trustworthy and even better, if possible, with an oath. The passage now refers to two metaphors (a word or passage is applied to an object or action which cannot really apply). In Numbers 35:9ff people who commit an accidental death can run to certain cities of refuge, if they stayed in the city they would be safe until the High Priest dies. This is like a sinner fleeing from the judgement of sins to the save place of refuge in Jesus, the High Priest is eternal so never be punished. The second metaphor is of an anchor dropped from a boat which holds it safe. The hope of a Christian is in the safe anchor of Jesus the Forerunner, our link and promise, who has entered into the presence of God through the veil, the King / High Priest like Melchisedec acting as the go between Man and God. |
Easy English Translation
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