Hebrews 6:4-8

HEBREWS—NOTE ON Hebrews 6:4 This passage has been much debated. The central issue is whether vv. Hebrews 6:4 describes people who were once true Christians. (1) Some argue that the passage does describe true Christians, meaning that Christians can “fall away” and lose their salvation. Most who hold this view think that those who fall away can still return to Christian faith, so this limits vv. Hebrews 6:4 to people who refuse to return. (2) Most argue, however, that although these people have participated fully in the Christian community, the fact that they “fall away” shows that they are not true Christians. (3) Another view is that the warnings are addressed to true believers, and that although they will never completely fall away, the warnings are still the means God uses to challenge them to persevere in their faith. (4) Finally, some believe that the falling away has to do with a loss of heavenly rewards. In any case, though the author recognizes that there may be a few in the congregation who fit the description of vv. Hebrews 6:4, in general he does not think it to be true as a whole of the congregation, for he says, “yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation” (v. Hebrews 6:9).