Hebrews 6:4-6 Can A Fallen Person Be Restored ?

[Lewis]

Hebrews 6:4-6
Is it really impossible to restore a fallen person, or is this a translation error, I have heard many people try to explain Hebrews 6:4-6 over the years. So what do you people say ?

<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30049">
</sup>Hebrews 6:4-6 King James Version
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30049">4</sup>For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30050">5</sup>And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30051">6</sup>If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

 

[Alabaster]

The letter was to Messianic Jews who were becoming enamored with the Judaizers, who were teaching the new converts, including Gentile converts to continue to engage in Jewish rituals in combination with their Christianity.

Falling away was referring to them falling back into the practices of Judaism that they were set free from in Christ.

The passage is true: killing a lamb would not cleanse anyone from sin, so these people would remain in their sin without repentance and confession.


Hebrews 10:11-18 NLT
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30104">11</sup> Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30105">12</sup> But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30106">13</sup> There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30107">14</sup> For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30108">15</sup> And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30109">16</sup> “This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.â€
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30110">17</sup> Then he says,
“I will never again remember
their sins and lawless deeds.â€
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-30111">18</sup> And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

 

[Asyncritus]

Hebrews 6:4-6
Is it really impossible to restore a fallen person, or is this a translation error, I have heard many people try to explain Hebrews 6:4-6 over the years. So what do you people say ?

<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30049">
</sup>Hebrews 6:4-6 King James Version
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30049">4</sup>For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30050">5</sup>And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30051">6</sup>If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Here are a few other translations which only serve to reinforce the point in the quote above:

AV
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 Ghost,
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 they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

ASV

6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)

6 and then have fallen away - it is impossible to renew them so that they turn from their sin, as long as for themselves they keep executing the son of god on the stake all over again and keep holding him up to public contempt.

ESV

4 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Message

4 Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit,
5 once they’ve personally experienced the sheer goodness of God’s Word and the powers breaking in on us—
6 if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can’t start over as if nothing happened. That’s impossible. Why, they’ve re-crucified Jesus! They’ve repudiated him in public!


Alabaster has got it right - these people are people who have left Christ, and gone back to the Law of Moses and its sacrifices. Since they are now satisfied with the shadows, 'there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins' since they have left the only real one there is.

 

[Elijah674]

Hebrews 6:4-6
Is it really impossible to restore a fallen person, or is this a translation error, I have heard many people try to explain Hebrews 6:4-6 over the years. So what do you people say ?

<SUP id=en-KJV-30049 class=versenum>
</SUP>Hebrews 6:4-6 King James Version
<SUP id=en-KJV-30049 class=versenum>4</SUP>For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
<SUP id=en-KJV-30050 class=versenum>5</SUP>And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
<SUP id=en-KJV-30051 class=versenum>6</SUP>If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

The first type of the 'complete' fallen is seen in the Sanctuary teaching of Lev. 16 & chapter 17. (note verse 7-9 chapter 17 & note the Gentile as included) This depicts The Final Atonement of Christ. (see Dan. 12:1-2 & see Rev. 22:11-14)

There is sin, as seen in 1 John 3:3-4's definition. Then, there is a starting point.. the 'first' time of sin (not unto death) toward the mature direction either way of FINAL MATURITY that finds one SAVED or the SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. (see 1 John 5:16-17 + see James 1:15 End)

No one or two or three times sin brings this full mature sin. Yet, each and every PRESUMPTOUS SIN causes one to mature that direction and is that much harder to feel the Leading of the Holy Spirit. (Note Psalms 19:13) 'Keep back thy servant [ALSO FROM PRESUMPTOUS SINS, let them not have dominion over me, and then I will be INOCENT FROM THE GREAT TRANGRESSION.]' (you can check this out for the exact wording?)

OK: Proof of the past! ;) See Eccl. 3:15 First! Gen. 6:3 finds the Holy Spirit Striving with the LOST along beside Noah's Preaching for 120 years.

Rev. 17:1-5 finds all of these prophesied lost ones who have been around way past this 120 years of the Holy Spirits STRIVING, + Christ's Acts 5:32 preaching.
In Gen. 6:3 + Rev. 17:1-5 we find the 'whole' outside the ARK boat lost. There was just NO WAY to move them! (see Isa. 5:4??)

When any person is 'set' in their way, what more can be done??? Of all the ones on this site who make the claim of being Christians, (Rom. 8:1) who but very few can be moved from their 'sturborn' will??? (Rom. 8:14) Even take note of Rev. 3:16's ones with NO CONDEMNATION seen, other than that the one/time Agape LOVE becomes [[SICK]] and is seen [[SPEWED OUT.]] Yet, notice!! That they still had LOVE, but Christ was second place to their effections or worse!? Also see the one who had not yet made it to the point of being Born Again! The [[COLD]]. These ones could be reached by the Holy Spirit still, and because of their 'STILL' teachable way.

Also take note that of the two class, (in church/out of church) who does the Holy Spirit find it easier to reach? And which class would these in church ones think were saved and were A-OK? And the Matt. 7:21-22 ones are not flukes, but are the lost BROADWAY ONES.

Anyway, this is my take on your question.
--Elijah

 

[Lewis]

Verse 4 says for it is (IMPOSSIBLE) that word is where the focus is.

 

[Alabaster]

The impossibility is in the converted to be restored by going back to Jewish practices. Only genuine repentance will restore a person to the Lord.

That is the context of the passage. It is about restoration of fellowship.

 

[Lewis]

The impossibility is in the converted to be restored by going back to Jewish practices. Only genuine repentance will restore a person to the Lord.

That is the context of the passage. It is about restoration of fellowship.

I don't know that answer does not fit for me. And I am not down playing what you said, because you post some great stuff, but I don't think that is it. That word (impossible) in that passage has scared many people to death including me. Hebrews 6:4-6 is one of the most argued verses in the Bible, because of that word (IMPOSSIBLE) and many have tried to explain it, and I have yet to really hear a good explanation on how you can be restored as verse 4 says.

 

[Elijah674]

Verse 4 says for it is (IMPOSSIBLE) that word is where the focus is.

No disagreement with that. Again, it is when the 1 John 5:16-17 Sin Unto Death is Finished. Fully MATURE sin, (James 1:15) any known sin hung on to presumptously, such as is seen in the Rev. 17:1-5 group. And that Heb. 6 chapter was only mentioning the ex/Christians!

--Elijah

 

[Alabaster]

I don't know that answer does not fit for me. And I am not down playing what you said, because you post some great stuff, but I don't think that is it. That word (impossible) in that passage has scared many people to death including me. Hebrews 6:4-6 is one of the most argued verses in the Bible, because of that word (IMPOSSIBLE) and many have tried to explain it, and I have yet to really hear a good explanation on how you can be restored as verse 4 says.

It is only impossible when a person doesn't return to fellowship and follow through into repentance, but in the case in point of the epistle, it was the believers succumbing to what the Judaizers were influencing them to do. It was a serious problem that needed addressing.

It is the misinterpretation out of context that causes the word, 'impossible' to be so formidable.

 

[Scotth1960]

Hebrews 6:4-6
Is it really impossible to restore a fallen person, or is this a translation error, I have heard many people try to explain Hebrews 6:4-6 over the years. So what do you people say ?

<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30049">
</sup>Hebrews 6:4-6 King James Version
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30049">4</sup>For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30050">5</sup>And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30051">6</sup>If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Friend. THIS KJV verse Hebrews 6:6 IS A HERESY. IT IS BASED ON THE HERESY OF CALVINISM, based on the influence of Calvinist Theodore Beza upon the Calvinist KJV translators, SOME of whom were Calvinists. There is no "IF" in the Original Greek of Hebrews 6:6. It refers to a falling away that ALREADY happened to these people; they went back to JUDAISM, and thus would be recrucifying Christ (again), as it were. The Greek reads, "And having fallen away." GET A NASB (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) and read what it says on the verse, PLEASE! GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR QUEST FOR "ALL TRUTH" (John 16:13; cf. 1 Tim. 3:15, 2 Thess. 2:15).
See also John 15:26 and the BOOK "Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith. Peter E. Gillquist. 2nd ed. Ben Lomond, CA: CONCILIAR PRESS. In Erie PA USA SCOTTH1960 Scott R. Harrington

 

[Elijah674]

It matters not where one turns to in the Word of God as long as they stay away from the junk of the arm of Jer. 17:5 flesh! They will continuelly find that there IS A FINAL FATE OF NO RETURN for one who will just not be led of the Holy Ghost! Rom. 8:14

(and what IS NEW?? Eccl. 3:15's NOTHING! see Isa. 5:4 With Inspiration asking... 'WHAT MORE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO MY VINEYARD, THAT I HAVE NOT DONE IN IT?)

And the Rev. 17:1-5 church's are the FINISHED PROPHESIED PRODUCT! Nothing COULD MOVE THEM! These same 'folks' jump all over planet earth to find verses of other translations to help satan's cause! They use all kind of 'languages' to help their cause to twist, & pervert! They know no more about Bible Study REQUIREMENT of Matt. 4:4 or 2 Tim. 3:16 than their Gen. 4:7 DESIRED leader wants them to know. And 2 Cor. 4:2 finds them in [CONSTANT WORK] while teaching that Loving Works are not needed! Or that [YOU] are trying to work your way into heaven + their choice 'worded' stuff! Inspiration tells it best in 2 Peter 2's pen.... (notice the word of PROMISING THEM LIBERTY)

2 Peter 2
[18] For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

(There are hardly any two of these false Rev. 17:1-5 church's that even teach 'doctrine' alike, if any! And most even have 'daily' open documented 'sin' in the World's News as does their mother!)

[19] While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

[20] For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

[21] For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

[22] But [it is happened] unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

And that is why a Loving Christ has the Last Warning of Rev. 18:4 for the ones who are truely His.. 'still ignorant' own!

---Elijah

 

[Alabaster]

Friend. THIS KJV verse Hebrews 6:6 IS A HERESY. IT IS BASED ON THE HERESY OF CALVINISM, based on the influence of Calvinist Theodore Beza upon the Calvinist KJV translators, SOME of whom were Calvinists. There is no "IF" in the Original Greek of Hebrews 6:6. It refers to a falling away that ALREADY happened to these people; they went back to JUDAISM, and thus would be recrucifying Christ (again), as it were. The Greek reads, "And having fallen away." GET A NASB (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) and read what it says on the verse, PLEASE! GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR QUEST FOR "ALL TRUTH" (John 16:13; cf. 1 Tim. 3:15, 2 Thess. 2:15).
See also John 15:26 and the BOOK "Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith. Peter E. Gillquist. 2nd ed. Ben Lomond, CA: CONCILIAR PRESS. In Erie PA USA SCOTTH1960 Scott R. Harrington

Where certain translations have used the word, 'if' it is not a heresy. It is just one of many interpretations which doesn't change the meaning.

G2532
καί
kai
kahee
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.



It is obvious by context that some had already succumbed to the Judaizers' influence.

 

[theophilus3213]

Heb 6:4-6

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 Ghost,
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 they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. KJV

Heb 10:26-31
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. KJV

These two passages go together for they are referring to the same sin! i.e. the sin of apostasy.

Now this sin cannot be committed by just anyone! There is a certain criteriea that the Holy Spirit gives that a person must meet before they can commit this sin.
<DIR><DIR>1. They must be enlightened. i.e. they must have the Holy Spirit open up their understanding so that they have a clear understanding of the gospel of God.
2. They must have ‘tasted the heavenly gift’. i.e. the gift of salvation, or being truly born again!
3. The must be made ‘partakers of the Holy Ghost’. i.e. they must be baptized in the Holy Sprit, and have operated in one of the nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit. (speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, prophecy, etc)
4. They must have ‘tasted the good word of God’. i.e. they must have had a close relationship with God; close enough that they know Gods voice and how sweet fellowship with God is! They must also have delighted themselves in the written word of God. (Bible)
5. They must have tasted of the ‘powers of the age to come’. i.e. they must have been used by God to heal the sick, cast out demons, and perform other miracles .
</DIR></DIR>Now these are the requirements that a person must meet in order to commit this sin! The term ‘fall away’ is not talking about committing sins in general, But falling away from the faith. It is to trample the gospel that once saved them under their feet and to say that it is not true! This type of sin is unpardonable as the person who does this is someone who knows that God and His power are real! He has personally experienced it! If then rejects all that he has experienced and trampled it under his feet; then God will not forgive him!

This being true; someone who does not meet this criteria cannot become lost. If someone becomes a Christian, but does not experience Gods power, if they fall away they may return again! If someone accepts the truths of Christianity, and then later doubts them, but they have not experienced Gods power, may return. Seekers who believe one day and doubt the next who have not experienced God’s power may return! It is ONLY those who meet the qualifications listed above that may commit this sin! The sin of apostasy!

I hope that this helps you.

shaloam
　
　

 

[Robby_H]

Let me try to anwer your qeustion in the simpliest way I can.

Let's look at those verses and see what these folks do. There are two main schools of thought on these verses - one they are believers who have walked away or they were unbelievers that have come so close to salvation and yet walked away. BTW, I refuse to get into that debate here.

Look at it though in the simpliest of terms - regardless of which group you believe these folks are in, the fact is they have walked away and decided they want nothing to do with Christ's offer of salvation. These folks have no more interest in God, they are much like those in Galatians 5 in that they have decided that Christ alone is not the way for them. They have basically said that they want to try to get to God their way and not God's way. Of course it is impossible to get to God ANY way other than through Christ.

I am of the belief that the "impossiblity" mentioned in Hebrew 6:4-6 is not so much as to whether God would or would not forgive them if they returned but instead that their harded heart/attitude will not let them return - they don't want to return. Jesus said "those who come unto me I will in NO wise cast out" so I have to believe the impossibility is with the unrepentant heart of the person who walks away. (and yes I understand that you can't repent unless the Holy Spirit calls you). The point being - I have spoken with numerous people over the years who have feared they might be in that group but I do not believe those who have reached the point in Hebrews are worried about it - they aren't interested in Christ so it is "impossible" to go back to somewhere they don't want to be. I believe anyone who falls away and truly repents need never fear being rejected.

Robby

 

[Elijah674]

Let me try to anwer your qeustion in the simpliest way I can.

Let's look at those verses and see what these folks do. There are two main schools of thought on these verses - one they are believers who have walked away or they were unbelievers that have come so close to salvation and yet walked away. BTW, I refuse to get into that debate here.

Look at it though in the simpliest of terms - regardless of which group you believe these folks are in, the fact is they have walked away and decided they want nothing to do with Christ's offer of salvation. These folks have no more interest in God, they are much like those in Galatians 5 in that they have decided that Christ alone is not the way for them. They have basically said that they want to try to get to God their way and not God's way. Of course it is impossible to get to God ANY way other than through Christ.

I am of the belief that the "impossiblity" mentioned in Hebrew 6:4-6 is not so much as to whether God would or would not forgive them if they returned but instead that their harded heart/attitude will not let them return - they don't want to return. Jesus said "those who come unto me I will in NO wise cast out" so I have to believe the impossibility is with the unrepentant heart of the person who walks away. (and yes I understand that you can't repent unless the Holy Spirit calls you). The point being - I have spoken with numerous people over the years who have feared they might be in that group but I do not believe those who have reached the point in Hebrews are worried about it - they aren't interested in Christ so it is "impossible" to go back to somewhere they don't want to be. I believe anyone who falls away and truly repents need never fear being rejected.

Robby

Surely these ones seen without any rebuke in Rev. 3:16 other than their LUKEWARM LOVE, and that would make great neighbors, even excellent Christian ones... can dispute our conclusions if they are faulty?

And to have that kind of Love means that they were Born Again with the Agape Love to then weaken to this stage of contempt & Eternal FATE! So it appears that they & [all] yoked in that seventh Laodicean Fold are indeed SPEWED OUT & JUDGED ONLY SO BY THEIR WORKS! Eccl. 12:13-14

--Elijah