Originally posted: 9/29/2021
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, (6:19).
The opening of this chapter can definitely leave us scratching our heads. How do the thoughts expressed in the first eight verses of this chapter line up with the truths the writer had previously put forth about Jesus, Who Sat Down after He had accomplished His Great Salvation on our behalf as the Apostle and High Priest, Who was sent from God to make atonement for our sins, Who imparted His Rest as the Source of Eternal Salvation? Weren’t these truths meant to Anchor Our Soul?
And then comes this seemingly blatant contradiction.
For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame, (6:4-6).
So before we proceed, a question must be answered. Was the writer making a case to prove that believers can fall away, never to be renewed to repentance again? We know that Scripture must always be studied in context, and Scripture must always be interpreted by Scripture (for more study on Eternal Salvation, here are just a few of the many verses on the subject: John 3:16; 5:24; 6:37, 40, 47; 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 1:4-5; 1 John 2:19; 5:13; Jude 1:24).
In context, we remember that the writer’s intent was to strengthen the Jewish converts in their faith, that they would be able to stand against the teachings of the Judaizers who insisted that solely trusting in the “better things” in Christ was not enough and that keeping the law was still required.
But the threat of losing one’s salvation places the responsibility on the believer; and that does not line up with the teaching of the “better things” of Christ, not only in this book, but in all of Scripture.
Before the writer broaches the topic, he begins by reminding them of the fundamentals of the faith; repentance from dead works (relying on self and keeping the law) and faith toward God.
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, (6:1).
The foundation of our salvation is in turning away from our own works as we turn toward God in faith. What then can be deduced from Hebrews 6:4-6?
The commentary below from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible is lengthy, but offers great insight on this question:
“For it is impossible… It is not an affirmation that any had actually fallen away, or that in fact they would do it; but the statement is, that “on the supposition that they had fallen away,” it would be impossible to renew them again. It is the same as supposing a case which in fact might never occur: as if we should say, “had a man fallen down a precipice it would be impossible to save him,” or “had the child fallen into the stream he would certainly have been drowned.”
It is material to remark here that the apostle does not say that any true Christian ever had fallen away. He makes a statement of what would occur on the supposition that such a thing should happen – but a statement may be made of what would occur on the supposition that a certain thing should take place, and yet it be morally certain that the event never would happen. It would be easy to suppose what would happen if the ocean should overflow a continent, or if the sun should cease to rise, and still there be entire certainty that such an event never would occur…
such a statement might be one of the most effectual means of preserving from apostasy. To state that a fall from a precipice would cause certain death, would be one of the most certain means of preserving one from falling; to affirm that arsenic would be certainly fatal, is one of the most effectual means of preventing its being taken; to know that fire certainly destroys, is one of the most sure checks from the danger. Thousands have been preserved from going over the Falls of Niagara by knowing that there would be no possibility of escape; and so effectual has been this knowledge that it has preserved all from such a catastrophe, except the very few who have gone over by accident. So in religion. The knowledge that apostasy would be fatal, and there could be no hope of being of the danger than all the other means that could be used. If a man believed that it would be an easy matter to be restored again should he apostatize, he would feel little solicitude in regard to it …
it may be added, that the means used by God to preserve his people from apostasy, have been entirely effectual. There is no evidence that one has ever fallen away who was a true Christian, (compare John 10:27-28, and 1 John 2:19) and to the end of the world it will be true that the means which he uses to keep his people from apostasy will not in a single instance fail… Certainly, the whole passage may be explained in perfect consistency with this application of it…”
Again, in light of all of Scripture, and in light of the teaching of the book of Hebrews, loss of salvation cannot be what the writer had in mind. It’s how we might describe the worst possible scenario to a toddler in discouraging the temptation to touch a hot stove. And so the writer presents this case to these young believers, in a sense saying, “Do not touch, do not even go near the trap of the Judaizers.” Why? Because trying to keep the law is dangerous and absolutely hopeless.
Another clue that the writer was not literally describing “those who have once been … and then have fallen away,” is found in the next idea he presents. Though he spoke in a way that described the unimaginable, he has no doubt of the “better things” that are a part of their salvation in Christ.
But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way, (6:9).
And through warning and exhortation, the writer is convinced that as these believers continue to lay aside dead works and grow in their faith, they will find assurance in Him Who Anchors Our Soul.
Consider Him Who Anchors Our Soul
- He Anchors Our Soul in His Unchangeable Purpose.
- In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, (6:17).
- …In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory, (Ephesians 1:10-12).
- God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, (2 Timothy 1:9).
- In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, (6:17).
- He Anchors Our Soul in His Unchangeable Person.
- so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us, (6:18).
- in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, (Titus 1:2).
- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever, (Hebrews 13:8).
- so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us, (6:18).
- He Anchors Our Soul in His Unchangeable Priesthood.
- This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek, (6:19-20).
- being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek, (Hebrews 5:10).
- But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption, (Hebrews 9:11-12).
- This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek, (6:19-20).
He Anchors Our Soul as He tethers us in the sure and steadfast hope we have in His Purpose, His Person, and His Priesthood.
How do we respond to Him Who Anchors Our Soul?
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul… (6:19).
In our own language, we often think of “hope” as something we wish for, but may not come to pass. But this in no way resembles Biblical hope. Biblical hope fully expects to obtain the desire.
Hope: “1680. ἐλπίς elpís; gen. elpídos, fem. noun. Hope, desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it,” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.
And while we can be certain that He is faithful to fulfill all that He has promised, we are also exhorted to be diligent, not only in our service to others, but in our realization of the full assurance of the hope we have through faith in Him Who Anchors Our Soul.
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises, (6:10-12).
When it requires patience to obtain His promise, let us be diligent to take hold of the sure and steadfast hope we have in the Unchangeable Purpose, Person and Priesthood of Him Who Anchors Our Soul.
For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” 15 And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise, (6:13-15).
In those times of waiting, those times that demand our patience, let us be diligent to seek Him in in His Word. For He will be faithful to strengthen our hope in Him Who Anchors Our Soul through His God-Breathed Word.
I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope, (Psalm 130:5).
Oh, that our faith would not be merely spoken, but that we would be diligent to hold fast to what we profess with our lips, trusting that because He is faithful, He will Anchor Our Soul as we believe His promise.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful, (Hebrews 10:23).
God has called us to show “diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,” but He has not called us to do this on our own. Like our salvation, it is His finished work in us. And we can be sure that what He has started will be completed by Him Who Anchors Our Soul.
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, (Philippians 1:6).
Oh, let us trust Him to do what only He can do. And let’s be diligent to pray for His filling, that we may abound in the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us tethered to the hope we have in Him Who Anchors Our Soul.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, (Romans 15:13).