Hebrews 6:4-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 6:1-8

We have here the apostle's advice to the Hebrews?that they would grow up from a state of childhood to the fullness of the stature of the new man in Christ. He declares his readiness to assist them all he could in their spiritual progress; and, for their greater encouragement, he puts himself with them: Let us go on. Here observe, In order to their growth, Christians must leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ. How must they leave them? They must not lose them, they must not despise... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 6:9-20

The apostle, having applied himself to the fears of the Hebrews, in order to excite their diligence and prevent their apostasy, now proceeds to apply himself to their hopes, and candidly declares the good hope he had concerning them, that they would persevere; and proposes to them the great encouragements they had in the way of their duty. I. He freely and openly declares the good hope he had concerning them, that they would endure to the end: But beloved, we are persuaded better things of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 6:4-8

6:4-8 For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, those who tasted the free gift from heaven, those who were made sharers in the Holy Spirit, those who tasted the fair word of God and the powers of the age to come, and who then became apostates, for they are crucifying the Son of God again for themselves and are making a mocking show of him. For when the earth has drunk the rain that comes often times upon it and when it brings forth herbage useful to those... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 6:9-12

6:9-12 Beloved, even if we do speak like this, we are persuaded of better things for you, yes, things that are bound up with salvation. For God is not unjust to forget your work and the love that you displayed in that you have been and still are active in the service of God's dedicated people. We hope with all our hearts that each one of you will display the same zeal to make your hope come true and that you will go on doing so until the end, so that you may not become lazily lethargic but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 6:4

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened ,.... The Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it, "baptized"; and the word is thought to be so used in Hebrews 10:32 . And indeed baptism was called very early "illumination" by the ancients, as by Justin Martyr F9 Apolog. 2. p. 94. , and Clemens Alexandrinus F11 Paedagog. l. 1. c. 6. p. 93. , because only enlightened persons were the proper subjects of it; and the word once here used seems to confirm this sense, since... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 6:5

And have tasted the good word of God ,.... Not the Lord Jesus Christ, the essential Word of God, who seems to be intended before by the heavenly gift; but rather, either the Scriptures of truth in general, which are the word of God, endited by him, and contain his mind and will; which he makes use of for conviction, conversion, instruction, and comfort; and which are preserved by him: and these are a good word; they come from him who is good; they are a revelation of good things; they make... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 6:6

If they shall fall away ,.... This is not supposed of true believers, as appears from Hebrews 6:9 nor is it to be supposed of them that they may fall totally and finally; they may indeed fall, not only into afflictions and temptations, but into sin; and from a lively and comfortable exercise of grace, and from a degree of steadfastness in the Gospel; but not irrecoverably: for they are held and secured by a threefold cord, which can never be broken; by God the Father, who has loved them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 6:7

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it ,.... Here the apostle illustrates what he had before been speaking of, by a simile taken from the earth, to which men in general answer, who are of the earth; earthy and unregenerate men and carnal professors are of earthly minds; they are like the earth when it was rude and without form, and cursed by God; and are as insensible as the earth: but the earth is particularly distinguished into that which is fruitful, and which is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 6:8

But that which beareth thorns and briers ,.... To which wicked men answer; who are unfruitful and unprofitable, and are hurtful, pricking and grieving, by their wicked lives and conversations, by their bitter and reproachful words, and by their violent and cruel persecutions; and particularly carnal professors, and especially apostates, such as before described; for to such earth, professors of religion may be compared, who are worldly, slothful, defrauding and overreaching, carnal and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 6:9

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you ,.... The apostle addresses the believing Hebrews, as "beloved"; being beloved by the Lord, not as the descendants of Abraham, but as the elect of God, and so as loved with an everlasting love; and which might be known to themselves, by its being shed abroad in their hearts, and by their being called by grace, and by their love to him, and to his people: and from hence they might conclude they should not fall away, as the apostates before... read more

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