Hebrews 6

1. Therefore leaving the principles, etc. As we ought not to remain mere children, let us leave “the word of the beginning of Christ,” and press on towards the full maturity of spiritual growth. These “elements” are not indeed to be disregarded, but are pre-supposed, as essential to future advance.

3 if God permit. Ever remembering our dependence on God’s help (Phil. ii. 13).

4. For it is impossible, etc. The awful condition of apostates is a motive for advancing in the Christian life, and is also given by the writer as a reason for the character of his teaching; “not laying again the foundation.” This last, he says, would be of no use; for if the foundation is once abandoned, there remains no further method of influencing the heart: see notes on 5-7.

A most important thing to remember on this much-discussed passage is that the case is hypothetical.

once. The Greek word means, not “formerly,” but “once for all”; implying that there is no second enlightening.

the heavenly gift. See John iv. 10, and note.

5 and have tasted the good word of God, etc. That is, have experienced the comfort of the Divine promises. “It is significant that in the enumeration of the divine gifts received by those who are conceived as afterwards falling away there is no one which passes out of the individual. All are gifts of power, of personal endowment. There is no gift of love. Under this aspect light falls upon the passage from Matt. vii. 22 f.; 1 Cor. xiii. 1 f.” (Westcott).

6 if they shall fall away. Rather, as R.V., “and [then] fell away.” Those who, after all this religious experience, have apostatised, cannot have the same experience a second time; their apostasy classes them with the unbelieving Jews who shouted “Crucify Him!” (John xix. 6).

to renew them again unto repentance. All the great truths and influences of the gospel having lost their power, no other means are left of working upon the conscience: cp. Mark x. 23-27.

7. For the earth, etc. Rather, “For land,” i.e., any piece of ground. The difference between the fruitful and the herren professor.

by whom. Rather, “on whose account”; i.e., the owners or cultivators.

9 things that accompany salvation. Rather, “things which lead up to (or involve) salvation.”

10 which ye have showed toward His name. See Matt. x. 40-42; xxv. 34-40, and notes.

11 to the full assurance (or, fulness) of hope. That you may always enjoy a fully assured hope.

12 followers. Rather, “imitators”; i.e., of their faith and patience; so as to become partakers of the same inheritance. And if, like Abraham (13), you have long to wait for the inheritance, you may well do so; for you, like him, have the oath (see vii. 20) as well as the promise of Jehovah.

15. And so. R.V., “And thus”; Abraham having the promise and the oath to assure him.

he obtained the promise. He obtained the first instalment of it in the birth of Isaac; the pledge of its complete fulfilment.

17. Wherein. Rather, “Wherefore.” The “heirs of the promise” are those mentioned above in ver. 12.

willing. Rather, “desiring.”

18 two immutable things. God’s promise and His oath.

19 which entereth into that within the vall. The anchor of the seaman is cast downwards into the deep; but the anchor of the Christian is thrown upwards, into heaven, and finds there its firm ground and fast holding. “The stability of hope is twofold. It is undisturbed by outward influences ἀσφαλής, ‘sure’ and it is firm in its inherent character (βεβαία, ‘stedfast’)” (Westcott).