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NASB | Hebrews 6:4 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, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 6:4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, |
Bible Question: Who are those "who have once been enlightened"? |
Bible Answer: New Hope Mike - This much-debated passage has been understood in several ways. ....... [1] Some hold that the people described in Hebrews 6:4-6 are Christians who actually lose their salvation. If this be so, notice that the passage also teaches that is it impossible to be saved a second time. There is no record in all Scripture of anyone ever being saved more than once. ...... [2] Others hold that the passage refers not to genuine believers but to those who only profess to be believers. Thus the phrases "who have once been enlightened...have tasted of the heavenly gift...have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit" are understood to refer to expriences short of salvation (cf. v.9). The "falling away" is viewed in this interpretation as being the falling away from the knowlege of the truth, not personal possession of it. But these phrases, particularly the phrase, "partakers of the Holy Spirit" sound like the writer is referring to regenerate believers. How can an unregenerate sinner "fall away" from something he never had? ....... [3] Still others understand the passage to be a warning to genuine believers to urge them on in Christian growth and maturity. According to this view, to "fall away" is impossible since true believers are eternally secure (cf. Heb. 7:25). The phrase is placed in the sentence to strengthen the warning. It is similar to saying to a classs of students something like this: "It is impossible for a student, once enrolled in this course, if he turns the clock back (which cannot be done), to start the course over. Therefore, let all students go on to deeper knowledge." In this view the phrases in verses 4 and 5 are understood to refer to the conversion experience. Notice how the words "enlightened" in Heb. 10:32, and "taste" in Heb. 2:9 are used of genuine experiences. ...... Parts of the foregoing exegesis have been adapted from the footnotes on Hebrews 6:4-6 in the Ryrie Study Bible (Moody). --Hank |