This is another great article written by Wayne Jackson. This is reprinted from the Christian Courier of August, 1980. It was published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California. Jackson was the editor.
Hebrews 6:6 speaks of certain people who could not be renewed to repentance. This passage has perplexed many. Some discouraged souls, who have departed the faithful Christian life believe that this scripture puts them beyond any hope of restoration. This reflects a tragic misunderstanding of this important text. Let us briefly consider it.
The People Involved - Contrary to the assertions of Calvinism, this context most assuredly deals with the apostasy of those who once had been true Christians. We observe they "were once enlightened" (cf. 10:32). By means of the gospel they had been called out of darkness into His "marvelous light" and hence, were "the people of God" (Second Peter 2:9-10; cf. Second Thessalonians 2:14; Colossians 1:13). Secondly, they had "tasted" (experienced, cf. Hebrews 2:8) the heavenly gift (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8). Thirdly, they were "made partakers of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38; 5:32; Galatians 4:6). They had "tasted the good word of God." They had received the word (cf. James 1:21; First Peter 2:2-3). Finally, they had experienced "the powers of the age to come." Clearly these people had been genuine Christians.
Apostasy - The inspired writer says that they, "fell away." Fell away derives from the term parapipto which means to "fall away, commit apostasy." Within the context of the Hebrew letter, these are Jewish members of the church who have been seduced away from the faith. Judaizers have convinced them that Jesus of Nazareth is an impostor and so, they have abandoned Him. Thus, by their present conduct, they are crucifying the Son of God anew and exposing Him to public contempt.
In this connection it is crucial that one carefully note the grammatical construction that is here involved. Of these people the writer asserts that, "it is impossible to renew them unto repentance." The verbal form "to renew" is a present tense infinitive. It is followed by two present tense participles, "crucifying again" and "putting to an open shame." Now here is the important point. These participles represent action that occurs simultaneous with the action of the verb. Thus, the sense is it is impossible to renew the apostates unto repentance as long as they are still in the process of crucifying and shaming the Christ! (See the footnote in the ASV) As long as they cling to their degenerate views regarding Christ, there is no way they can be brought to repentance. The implication is clearly there however, that should they abandon their heretical notions they surely could be restored to repentance. Repentance is always possible for anyone who can be touched with the truth and who therefore, wills to repent. No person who is concerned about his spiritual condition is beyond the hope of salvation!
Whether or not it is possible to reach a psychological state wherein it is difficult if not impossible to desire repentance, is another matter altogether. The Scriptures seem to indicate that it is possible to reach a level of spiritual depravity, a certain hardness of heart wherein it becomes virtually impossible to change. For instance, when certain unbelieving Jews repeatedly rejected Christ, in spite of the many signs He did before them, they ultimately reached a state where, "they could not believe" (John 12:39) and so, God allowed their eyes to be blinded and their hearts to be hardened. Further, Paul wrote of certain perverse Gentiles who, "being past feeling" (the perfect tense denotes an abiding state) gave themselves to sin with reckless abandon (Ephesians 4:19). And elsewhere the apostle speaks of those who fall away from the faith, being influenced by those whose consciences are seared as with a hot iron (First Timothy 4:2). It is therefore, extremely vital that we always remain spiritually pliable and responsive to the truth.
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