Impossible [α δ υ ν α τ ο ν]. It is impossible to dilute this word into difficult.

Those who were once enlightened [τ ο υ ς α π α ξ φ ω τ ι σ θ ε ν τ α ς]. Rend. "once for all enlightened." %Apax is frequent in the Epistle. Comp. ch. Hebrews 9:7; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 9:27; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:2; Hebrews 12:26; Hebrews 12:27. Indicating that the enlightenment ought to have sufficed to prevent them from falling away; not that it does not admit of repetition. Enlightened, through the revelation of God in Christ, the true light, and through the power of the Spirit. Fwtizein in LXX usually to teach or instruct; see Psalms 108:130; 2 Kings 12:2; 2 Kings 17:27. Comp. in N. T. John 1:9; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 10:32. Erasmus gives the correct explanation : "Who once for all have left the darkness of their former life, having been enlightened by the gospel teaching." There is no ground for explaining the word here of baptism, although the fathers from the time of Justin Martyr used fwtizein and fwtosmov in that sense, and this usage continued down to the Reformation. See Just. Mart. Revelation 1:62. Chrysostom entitled his 59th Homily, addressed to candidates for baptism, prov touv mellontav fwtizesqai to those who are about to be enlightened; and justified this name for baptism by this passage and Hebrews 10:32. The Peshitto translates this passage, "who have once (for all) descended to baptism." The N. T. gives no example of this usage. 193 Tasted of the heavenly gift [γ ε υ σ α μ ε ν ο υ ς τ η ς δ ω ρ ε α ς τ η ς ε π ο υ ρ α ν ι ο υ] For geusamenouv tasted, comp. ch. Hebrews 2:9. The meaning is, have consciously partaken of. Comp. 1 Peter 2:3, and trwgwn eateth, John 6:56. The heavenly gift is the Holy Spirit. It is true that this is distinctly specified in the next clause, but the two clauses belong together. Partakers of the Holy Ghost [μ ε τ ο χ ο υ ς π ν ε υ μ α τ ο ς α γ ι ο υ]. "Heavenly gift" emphasizes the heavenly quality of the gift. The Holy Ghost is the gift itself which possesses the heavenly quality.

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Old Testament