Hebrews 6:4-20

Hebrews 6:4

Exhortation.

I. The danger of apostasy. The Hebrews had become lukewarm, negligent and inert; the Gospel, once clearly seen and dearly loved by them, had become to them dim and vague; the persecution and contempt of their countrymen, a grievous burden under which they groaned, and with which they did not enjoy their fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Darkness, doubt, gloom, indecision, and consequently a walk in which the power of Christ's love was not manifest, characterised them. What could be the result but apostasy? Forgetfulness must end in rejection, apathy in antipathy, unfaithfulness in infidelity. The whole Church of God, as an, actual, outward and visible community, even the innermost circle of Apostles, and still more the innermost sanctuary the heart of the chosen believers must be constantly kept in the attitude of humble watchfulness, and we must continually remember that faith is in life.

II. The children of God are born again of incorruptible seed, and they can never die. They that believe in Jesus, who really, and not in word only, trust in the Saviour, are born of God, and they cannot sin, because the seed of God abideth in them. The severe rebuke of the Apostle ends in words of strong encouragement. Fulness of hope is to characterise the believer. To look unto Jesus only, to see Him as our light and life, our righteousness and strength, is the fulness of faith; and to wait for the fulfilment of the promises at the coming of our Lord Jesus is the fulness of hope.

A. Saphir, Lectures on Hebrews,vol. i., p. 308.

References: Hebrews 6:5. H. Batchelor, The Incarnation of God,p. 297; A. K. H. B., Graver Thoughts of a Country Parson,3rd series, p. 261; C. Sheldon, Christian World Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 87; F. W. Brown, Ibid.,vol. xvi., p. 236; J. Morgan, Ibid.,vol. xx., p. 166.