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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Hebrews 6
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
READING CYCLE THREE (from "hyperlink")
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS for Heb_5:11 to Heb_6:12
A. Because of the use of the pronouns "We/us" in Heb_6:1-3, "those/them" in Heb_6:4-8, and "you" in Heb_6:9-12; Heb_5:11-12, I believe that two distinct groups are being addressed in chapter 6: believing Jews and unbelieving Jews. Also, the Jewish (not Christian) nature of the basic doctrines of Heb_6:1-2 must point to truths shared with Judaism. There seem to be three groups mentioned.
1. the author and his/her mission team ("we" and "us," Heb_6:1-3; Heb_6:9; Heb_5:11)
2. unbelieving Jews ("those" and "them," Heb_6:4-8)
3. the believing Jews ("you," Heb_6:9-12; Heb_5:11-12)
B. There have been several theories about who is being addressed.
1. it is a hypothetical (which usually supplies an "if" in Heb_6:6)
2. it refers to Jewish unbelievers
3. it refers to true apostasy (Jewish believers about to return to OT hopes and procedures instead of continuing faith in Jesus as the Messiah)
4. it refers to the first-century situation only (which understands the historical setting as a synagogue setting of believing and unbelieving Jews)
5. it refers to OT examples of unbelief, not current believers
C. The warnings of Heb_6:1-12 must be related to the previous warnings to
1. beware of being carried past the safe anchorage, Heb_2:1
2. beware of willful unbelief (as OT Israelites), Heb_3:12-19
3. beware of remaining immature believers, Heb_5:11-14
D. The current debate in the church over "once saved always saved"; "saved, lost, and then resaved" and "once out always out" revolves around:
1. the use of isolated texts (proof-texting)
2. the use of logical deduction (priority of reason over Scripture)
3. the use of systematic theological grids (Calvinism, Arminianism, Dispensationalism, etc.)
E. There are numerous biblical examples of people with problems related to their faith (see Special Topic at Heb_6:5), but there is no easy answer that covers them all.
1. believers become unfit for service
a. carnal Christians or lazy Christian leaders (1Co_3:10-15)
b. baby Christians (Heb_5:11-14)
c. disqualified Christians (1Co_9:27)
d. unorthodox Christians (1Ti_1:19-20)
e. unfruitful Christians (2Pe_1:8-11)
2. false professions of faith
a. parable of the soils (Matthew 13; Mark 4)
b. fruits without personal relationship (Mat_7:21-23)
c. false teachers (1Jn_2:18-19; 2Pe_2:1-19)
3. possible apostasy
a. Saul (OT)
b. Judas (NT)
c. false teachers (2Pe_2:20-22)
d. later interpreters (Rev_22:19 )
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Are Heb_6:2-4 a list of Christian essentials or truths of Judaism?
2. Does the book of Hebrews teach "falling from grace"? Why or why not?
3. Why is the historical setting of this book so important to a proper interpretation?
4. Does the Bible teach that the truly redeemed will hold out until the end or that those who hold out in faith to the end are the redeemed?
5. Are those spoken to in Heb_6:4-6 believers or unbelievers? Why?
6. How are the "you" of Heb_6:9 related to the "those" of Heb_6:4?
7. Describe the persecution the believers were facing.
8. What are the two unchangeable things of Heb_6:18?
9. How are both God's sovereignty and human freewill balanced in Heb_6:18?
10. How are the character of God and the finished work of Christ related in Heb_6:13-20?