Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
General Christian
History and Religion
Are Those Who Fall Away Really Christians? Hebrews 6:4-6

Are Those Who Fall Away Really Christians? Hebrews 6:4-6

Last updated on: June 6, 2024 at 11:31 am by B. J. Oropeza

Are Those Who Fall Away Really Christians? Hebrews 6:4-6 2024-06-06T11:31:25-07:00 B. J. Oropeza

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks about falling away. It reads, “For it is impossible regarding those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted of the good word of God and powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying for themselves again the son of God, making a public mockery of him.”

If such people rejected Christ after apparently repenting, were they really Christians in the first place?

Hebrews 6:4-6 More Closely

The author of Hebrews turns from directly addressing his audience to speak primarily in aorist participles about others in these verses. The string of participles describe them as once being “enlightened,” having “tasted” of the heavenly gift, having “become” partakers of the Holy Spirit, and “tasted” of the good word of God and powers of the age to come. They experienced all these things prior to their falling away. They ended up rejecting Christ, committing apostasy.*

Such descriptions seem to imply that they had experienced conversion and understood the elementary teachings of the early Christian faith as described in Hebrews 6:1–2. Let us look at some of the various phrases in Hebrews 6:4-6 more closely.

“Once enlightened”

With the immediate context of Hebrews 6:1–3 fresh in the author’s mind, the thought of those who “were once enlightened” (ἅπαξ φωτισθέντας: Heb 6:4a) most likely refers to conversion or “saving illumination.” This is similar to Hebrews 10:32 where the same word φωτίζω refers to the audiences’ actual conversion in the past. This goes beyond mere Christian instruction.

In Hebrews 6:4 the word assumes conversion as a one-time event with the adverb “once” (cf. 9:7, 26–29; 10:2; 12:26f). This conversion, it seems, takes place through repentance, faith, water and Spirit baptism, and perhaps a confession made during the initiation process (Heb 6:1–2).

Other passages in early Christian traditions likewise portray conversion as coming out of darkness into “light” in which the neophyte belongs to God’s people and kingdom (Col 1:13; Eph 5:8; 2 Cor 4:4–6; Acts 26:18; 1 Pet 2:9–12).

“Tasted of the heavenly gift”

Among the options for this phrase, one possibility is that it is an echo from the wilderness generation’s eating of manna (Heb 6:4b; cf. Exod 16:4, 15; Ps 77:24; 104:40; Neh 9:15; John 6:31–58). If so, the allusion might foreshadow partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

Another interpretation suggests the heavenly gift refers to the Spirit, which is seen as God’s agent of grace (Heb 6:2; 10:29; cf. Acts 2:38; 8:20; 10:45; Luke 11:13; John 4:10, 23; Barnabas 1). The idea of tasting in 6:4 might correspond to the notion of drinking in the Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 12:13; John 7:37–39). But if the next line in Hebrews 6:4c refers to the Spirit, then the gift in 6:4b probably refers to something else.

Other alternatives include grace or salvation as the heavenly gift (e.g., Rom 5:15; Eph 3:7; 1 Pet 2:2-3). Harold Attridge understands the meaning of this gift to be more eclectic. It is “the gracious bestowal of salvation, with all that entails—the spirit, forgiveness, and sanctification” (Attridge, Hebrews, 171).

Important for our purposes is that the “tasting” of this gift does not mean a mere “sip” or “sampling” but the reality of experiencing something related to personal salvation. The author uses the term earlier in this letter to refer to Christ “tasting” death (Heb 2:9; cf. Matt 16:28). Whatever else the author means in Hebrews 6:4, he is communicating that those who fell away were at one time converted and experienced the grace of God.

“Partakers of the Holy Spirit”

These apostates also shared in the Holy Spirit (Heb 6:4c), a thought that comes close to the mystical union of sharing in a relationship with Christ (cf. Heb 3:1, 14). Here the focus may be on the Spirit’s relationship, communion, and solidarity with the believers (cp. 1 Cor 12:13; 2 Cor 13:13f). Such was an early Christian hallmark for determining conversion-initiation, new life, and sanctification (Acts 11:15–18; Rom 8:9–14; 2 Thess 2:13; Titus 3:5; Eph 1:13–14; John 3:3–7). There is in fact no passage in the New Testament that affirms unbelievers or fake Christians having a share in the Holy Spirit (I. Howard Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 143, likewise makes this point).

Even Matthew 7:21–23 does not affirm that the miracles done by false prophets in Jesus’ name were performed by the power of the Spirit. On the other hand, as we notice in Galatians 3:1-5 (cf. Gal 5:4) and 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 , authentic Christians who have the Spirit can potentially fall away (see further, B. J. Oropeza, Jews, Gentiles, and the Opponents of Paul; Apostasy in the New Testament Communities, vol. 1; and further on 1 Cor 10, Oropeza, Paul and Apostasy).

The same appears to hold true for our author in Hebrews, who recalls earlier days of the Spirit’s activity in the congregation (Heb 2:3–4). But he now warns them that outraging the Spirit of grace is tantamount to apostasy (Heb 10:29).

“Tasted of the good word of God and powers of the age to come”

This phrase from Hebrews 6:5 refers back to the theme of God speaking through his Son in the final days (Heb 1:3). The apostates were taught the spoken word, the gospel message of salvation and life (Heb 2:3; 4:1; 5:9; 6:12).

The powers of the coming age likely points back to the signs and wonders experienced by early Christian communities (Heb 2:2–4; cf. 1 Cor 12:4–11). By way of comparison we recall persons such as Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 5:1-11. They probably experienced miraculous events, fellowship with the Spirit, and the gift of salvation. Perhaps they were even among the 3,000 that received baptism on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2; cf. 4:31). Yet they sinned greatly by lying to the Spirit and were struck dead (Acts 5:1–11).

They “have fallen away”

The upshot in Hebrews 6:4–6 is that despite all these salvific blessings these individuals experienced, they then fell away (καί παραπεσόντας). In 6:6 the conjunction kai (καί) may connote temporal succession and be translated as “and then,” highlighting something unexpected.

The severity of language and repeated warnings throughout this letter attest to apostasy. The Greek word, parapipto (to “fall away”) appears nowhere else in the New Testament. But in the LXX, the Greek Old Testament, it normally conveys some form of apostasy from God, righteousness, or wisdom (Ezekiel 14:13; 15:8; 18:24; 20:27; Wisdom 6:9; 12:2).The meaning in Hebrews 6:6 is quite similar to pipto (to “fall [away]”) in Hebrews 4:11. Both words refer to committing apostasy.

There is no conditional “if ” in the Greek text here, and none should be imported as certain Bible versions such as NKJV and KJV mistakenly do. In other words, the warning does not express what hypothetically happens to apostates even though Christians cannot really become apostates. The danger of apostasy is a real threat here!

Warnings and Persecution

The author of Hebrews uses this passage as a springboard to directly warn the recipients not to behave in a like manner. He implies through the larger context that the recipients’ reluctant hearing might become the cause of their own falling away (e.g., Hebrews 2:1-4; 5:11-14).

The falling away of Judas

Jesus betrayed by the kiss of Judas, his apostate disciple. “Jesus processions” via pixabay.com

Unlike the wilderness generation (mentioned in Hebrews 3–4) or Esau (Hebrews 12:16–17), the defectors in this case are believers in Christ. Our author might even have in mind an actual event in the audience’s past in which certain members of their community actually did fall away.

Another possibility, however, is that the author, who may be from Italy (Heb 13:24), is recalling Emperor Nero’s persecutions of Christians in Rome (c. 64 CE). Certain believers probably denied Christ at that time due to the severity of this persecution. Eusebius, a patristic writer in the 4th century, wrote about this and other persecutions. He likewise admits that a number of Christians fell away due to persecution (see his Church History). Pliny the Younger also mentions Christian apostates in his report to Emperor Trajan in his Letters (10.96). Moreover, Mark’s Gospel may have originated in the community of Rome, as many scholars suggest. It emphasizes suffering along with Jesus’s famous saying that the one who saves his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life will save it (Mark 8:34-38).

In any case, the author of Hebrews refers to Christians who were once converted, sharers in God’s Spirit, and experienced gracious salvation, God’s word, and the miracles of the coming age. Despite all this, they fell away. The audience of this letter would doubtless think that these apostates were also once true believers in Christ.

Conclusion

We might assume that both the author and audience would have known people who had left their congregations but were never truly committed. Or, they knew people who doubted their beliefs or perhaps were compromised with immoral conduct. But there does not appear to be a good reason for the author of Hebrews to bother compiling an entire list of salvific blessings described in 6:1–4 unless he was intending to communicate to his audience that these people were genuine believers. Perhaps the author of Hebrews wanted to affirm that he was not referring to the type of half-hearted churchgoer, but to those who had been unmistakably converted.

We have to remember that nearly 2,000 ago, the Christ-followers in this community were not indoctrinated with a “once saved, always saved” belief. Nor did they know about the post-Reformation doctrine of the “perseverance of the saints.” As was common with other groups in or originating from Second Temple Judaism, the potential to commit apostasy remained a grim reality (see my article, B. J. Oropeza, “Apostasy” in T. and T. Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism, ed. Loren T. Stuckenbruck and Daniel M. Gurtner). The danger of apostasy is a real threat to real Christians.

Our author presents this passage as part of his effort to shake the audience free from their spiritual dullness. His rhetorical strategy for them comes through loud and clear: “if these other believers fell away who had experienced conversion and spiritual blessings just like you experience, watch out or else the same thing might happen to you!”

Notes

* For a more thorough study on Hebrews and apostasy, see B. J. Oropeza, Churches Under Siege of Persecution and Assimilation: The General Epistles and Revelation. Apostasy in the New Testament Communities, Vol. 3 (Eugene: Cascade, 2012), pp. 3-70 (from which portions of this post are derived)

Evangelical

History and Religion

Education and Religion

perseverance of the saints

repentance

Salvation/Soteriology

perseverance of the saints

warnings in Hebrews

About B. J. Oropeza

B. J. Oropeza, Ph.D. Durham University (England), is Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Azusa Pacific University and Seminary. Among his many publications include Exploring Intertextuality (Cascade), Perspectives on Paul: Five Views (Baker), and a three-volume series subtitled Apostasy in the New Testament Communities (Cascade). He also participated in the translation of the NRSVue, CEB, and Lexham Septuagint versions. He can be followed on X-Twitter (@bjoropeza1) and Instagram (@bjoropeza1) You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

May 19, 2024

What does the Obedience of Faith mean in Romans?

Next Post

June 3, 2024 Participation in Christ: A Dying Art

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "in Christ" 1 Corinthians 1 Enoch 1 John 2:19 1 Peter 1 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 1Peter 2 Corinthians 2 Timothy 400 years of silence A. I. A. M. Hunter Abraham Achilles Tatius Acts 13 Acts 19 Acts 22 Acts 26 Acts 9 addiction adultery Aesop's Fables Affliction afterlife allegiance allusions amanuensis Amen Ananias Ancient Biography Andrew Wilson Andronicus Angels anger Anglicanism anointing aorist tense Apep apocalypse apocalyptic Apocrypha apologetics apostasy Apostle Apostle Paul Aquinas archaeology archangel Ardel Caneday Arminianism armor of God article from journal artificial intelligence Asbury ascension atlas atonement Augustine Augustus authorship Awakening awards baptism Battle of Armageddon beasts behemoth Belial Beliar belief Benediction between Testaments Beverly Roberts Gaventa Bible Bible discrepancies Bible Gateway Bible reading Bible reading plan Bible Study Bible translations Bible version Bible versions biblical inerrancy Biblical Theology blasphemy blindness Boethius boldness Book of Acts Book Review Born Again bravery burial Caesar calling Calvinism canon canon Cassius Dio Catholics Channing Crisler charistmatic Christ Christian behavior Christian origins Christian theology Christians Christology church church fathers Church of England Chuza Cleopas Commandments Commentaries congregation conversion Corinthian letters coronavirus courage Covenant covenant theology covenantal nomism coveting COVID-19 Craig Keener Crescens crocodile Cross crucifixion curse custom Cyprian Daily Bread Dale Allison Damascus Damascus Experience Damascus road David Moffitt Day of Atonement deacon dead Dead Sea Scrolls death Deity of Christ Demas demonology demons determinism Deuteronomy Devil devotion dinosaur Dio Chrysostom divided I Divine Christology divine punishment divorce Do not fear Doxology dragon E. P. Sanders Eastern Orthodox Ebeneazer Urga echoes ekklesia election Elijah the Prophet Elymas embodiment of the gospel embodying the gospel emperor empty tomb Encouragement end times enlightement Ephesians Ephesus Epistles of Paul eschatology eternal life Ethics (Christian) euchlaion Eusebius of Caesarea evangelical evangelism evidence exile extreme unction Ezekiel faith falling away false prophet fate father Father's Day favorite Fear film Final Judgment Flood foreknowledge foreordain forgiveness fornication freewill from Saul to Paul Galatians Gary Cooper Genesis Gentile studies Gentiles geography giants gift gift giving global perspective Glossa Ordinaria God God perception good news gospel gospel 2.0 Gospel of John Gospel of Luke Gospel of Mark Gospel of Matthew Gospels grace gratitude Great Awakening Greco-Roman Greco-Roman world Greek Greek classic literature Greek lexicon Greek Orthodox Greek prepositions greetings guilt Habakkuk hair Halloween head covering head coverings healing heaven Hebrew Hebrews hermeneutics Hesed high Christology Higher Christology highlights holiness holy Holy Bible Holy Scriptures Holy Spirit Homer hospitable hospitality how to read the Bible human effort I Am sayings imperialism in Adam In Christ inspiration intercession Interpretation intertestamental period Intertextuality Interview intimidation Isaiah Israel Israel (land of) James James D. G. Dunn Jason Staples Jerome Jesus Jesus sayings Jesus traditions Jesus: Studies Jewish literature Jewish names Jewish Scripture Jewish studies Jews Joanna Job John John 3:16 John Chrysostom John Hyrcanus John Mark John of Damascus John the Baptist John Wesley Josephus joy Judaism Judgment day Julia Junia Justice justification kerygma King Kingdom kingdom of God Krister Stendahl lament Law Law of Moses lecture hall letter writing Letters of Paul Leucippe et Clitophon Leviathan Leviticus light Logical fallacy looting Lord Lord's Prayer lose salvation Lot Lotan love lovingkindness Lucifer Luke lust Luther LXX maenads Malachi Marcion marginalization marital affair marriage martyrdom Mary Matt Damon Medieval theologians Medieval theology memorization mercy Michael the Archangel miracles Mishnah missiology mission missionary missions monergism monogenes monster monsters Mosaic Law Moses Mysterious Ways mythology N. T. Wright name change names narrative Nephilim New Birth new covenant new covenant pneumaism new creation New Perspective on Paul New Testament New Testament use of Old Testament Noah Noah's ark nomism non-Christian oath obedience Odysseus Odyssey oil Old Testament only begotten Origen Outpouring pagan pagans parable paraceratherium Parousia participation in Christ Pastoral Letters patristic theology Paul in prison Paul letter of Paul teaching Paul the Apostle: Studies Paul within Judaism Paul's calling Paul's conversion Paul's death Pauline Theology persecution perseverance perseverance of the saints Persis personal devotion pesher Peter Abelard Philo philosophy Phoebe Pink Floyd pistis Plague plutarch pneuma pneumagism popular culture sayings Porneia Post-New Perspective on Paul praise prayer preaching predestination Prisca Priscilla Prison Epistle Prophecy prophets Psalm Psalms Pseudepigrapha Q Q source quest for the historic Jesus quotations Rabbi Pinhas be Yair Rabbinic literature Rainer Riesner raised from the dead rapture reading missiologically reading plan recipients reciprocity reconciliation Red Herring red letter edition redemption Reformation Regeneration rejoicing reminder renewal repentance restoration resurrection revival righteousness riot Roman Antiquity Roman names romance Romans Romans 12-16 Romans 16 Romans 4:25 Romans 7 Rome Rufus's mother sacrificial system salvation Salvation/Soteriology sanctification Satan Satan's fall Saul the Pharisee SBL Scholars school Scripture Second coming of Christ Second Temple Judaism secretary Septuagint Sergeant York Sergius Paulus Servant in Isaiah sex and sexuality sex ethics sexual immorality sheep sick sin sinful nature single Christians and dating social justice Society of Biblical Literature sons of God soteriology spinosaurus spiritual gifts spiritual renewal spiritual warfare Stephen Wilson struggle Study Bible studying the Bible Suetonius suffering Suffering Servant suggestive commentary Survey synergism Synoptic Gospels Tacitus teacher teaching telos temptation Tertius The Chosen the flesh Theology Thomas Aquinas Thomas Robinson Thomas Schreiner Thorn Thucydides Timothy Titus tongues Top 10 top 12 Torah trust Tryphaena Tryphosa Tyrannus U2 Ugaritic Ukraine Ukrainian Uncategorized unconditional love unforgiving Union with Christ unity/solidarity unpardonable sin urgency Valentine's Day veils vice vices victory warnings Watchers witnessing Woman ministers women women ministers women speakers women teachers word of God works works of the law worship writing YouVersion Zen Hess

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who restored water to Jericho by throwing salt into a spring?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Elijah Naaman Jonah Elisha