OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Hebrews Next 

HEBREWS

 

Press on to Your Sure Hope

Hebrews 6:4-5

Victor M. Eskew

 

 

I.         THE ENCOURAGEMENT (Heb. 6:4-6)

 

A.  The Duty (Heb. 6:1-3)

 

B.   The Danger (Heb. 6:4-6)

1.    The impossibility documented (Heb. 6:4a)

 

For it is impossible…

 

a.    Definitions

1)     Strong (102):  unable…impossible     :- could not do, impossible…not possible

2)    Thayer:  unable to be done, impossible

3)     Vine:  from two words which mean “not able”…of things, “impossible”

b.    This impossibility applies to the souls of man.  It is imperative that we come to an understanding of what the writer means.

2.    The individuals described (Heb. 6:4b-5)

 

…for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.

 

a.    Five descriptions of the individuals Paul is talking about are now listed.  As we look at these things, we should ask:  “Do these things describe someone who has been saved?”

b.    The list

1)     Those who were once enlightened

a)    Definition of enlightened

-       Strong (5461):  to shed rays, to shine, to brighten up

-       Thayer:  to enlighten, spiritually, imbue with saving knowledge, to instruct, to inform, teach, to give understanding to

-       Vine:  enlightened…metaphorically of spiritual enlightenment, illuminate

b)    This happens by means of the proclamation and hearing and reception of the Word of God.

-       Psalm 119:130

 

The entrance of thy words giveth light giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.

 

-       The only way to be “enlightened” is to hear, receive, and apply the Word of God to one’s life (II Cor. 4:3-4).

 

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

c)    The soul of man is shrouded in darkness when it is lost in sin.  When one obeys the gospel, he is enlightened.  He shines because of the truth that has been given unto him.

2)    And have tasted of the heavenly gift

a)    Definition of tasted

-       Strong (1089):  to taste; by implication to eat; figuratively to experience

-       Thayer:  to taste, to try the flavor of, make trial of, experience

-       Vine:  to make to taste, involves one’s personal experience

b)    These individuals have experienced, tested, and tried the flavor of the heavenly gift.

-       This gift is Jesus Christ and the salvation He has brought to man (Rom. 5:15-17; 6:23; II Cor. 9:15; Eph. 2:8).

 

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

 

-       The only way to taste of Christ is by having Him as your Savior.  How else can you truly experience Him?

3)     And were made partakers of the heavenly gift

a)    Definition of partakers

-       Strong (3353);  participant…sharer…an associate

-       Thayer:  sharing in…partaking

-       Vine:  sharing in, partaking of…in Hebrews 1:9 it is translated “fellows.”

b)    In the first century, miraculous gifts of the Spirit were distributed to members of the church by the laying on of the apostles’ hands.  NOTE:  This was not done until after one became a Christian (Acts 8:12-17; Rom. 1:11; I Cor. 12:4-11).

 

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them:  only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

 

4)     And have tasted the good word of God.

a)    The word “tasted” is the same one as previously used.  It means to try the flavor of, to experience.

b)    How does one experience the Word of God without applying it to his life?

5)     And the powers of the world to come

a)    The world to come involves things that are invisible.

b)    Part of that which is invisible is God’s power:  forgiveness, miraculous manifestations of the Spirit, prayer, and providence.

c)    Again, these blessings only come to those who are children of God.

c.    Question:  Were these individuals Christians?  The obvious answer is:  “Yes.”