Vincent Word Studies - Hebrews 6:8 - 6:8

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Vincent Word Studies - Hebrews 6:8 - 6:8


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

But that which beareth thorns and briers (ἐκφέρουσα δὲ ἀκάνθας καὶ τριβόλους)

Wrong. As given in A.V. the illustration throws no light on the subject. It puts the contrast as between two kinds of soil, the one well-watered and fertile, the other unwatered and sterile. This would illustrate the contrast between those who have and those who have not enjoyed gospel privileges. On the contrary the contrast is between two classes of Christians under equally favorable conditions, out of which they develop opposite results. Rend. but if it (the ground that receives the rain) bear thorns and thistles, etc. Ἄκανθαι thorns, from ἀκή a point. Τρίβολος, from τρεῖς three and βέλος a dart; having three darts or points. A ball with sharp iron spikes, on three of which it rested, while the fourth projected upward, was called tribulus or tribolus, or caltrop. These were scattered over the ground by Roman soldiers in order to impede the enemy's cavalry. A kind of thorn or thistle, a land-caltrop, was called tribulus. So Virgil,

“Subit aspera silva,

Lappaeque tribulique.”

Georg. i. 153.

Is rejected (ἀδόκιμος)

Lit. unapproved. See on reprobate, Rom 1:28.

Nigh unto cursing (κατάρας ἐγγύς)

See on Gal 3:10. Enhancing the idea of rejected. It is exposed to the peril of abandonment to perpetual barrenness.

Whose end is to be burned (ἧς τὸ τέλος εἰς καῦσιν)

Ἧς whose, of which, may be referred to cursing - the end of which cursing: but better to the main subject, γῆ the land. Τέλος is consummation rather than termination. Ἐις καῦσιν, lit. unto burning. Comp. lxx, Isa 40:16. The consummation of the cursed land is burning. Comp. Joh 15:6. The field of thorns and thistles is burned over and abandoned to barrenness.