A Response to Andy Woods’ Interpretation of Hebrews 6:4-6

 Hebrews 6:4-6 has been a focal point of theological debate, with interpretations ranging from warnings about losing salvation to discussions of forfeiting rewards or blessings. Andy Woods, in his paper "THE PARADIGM OF KADESH BARNEA AS A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF HEBREWS 6:4-6", advocates for the latter, positing that the passage addresses the loss of spiritual blessings rather than the possibility of a believer losing salvation. While Woods’ interpretation is thoughtfully presented and aligns with his commitment to Eternal Security, a closer examination of the text, its language, and the broader biblical context suggests that his view may not fully capture the severity and intent of the warning in these verses. This essay argues that Hebrews 6:4-6 indeed speaks to the real and grave danger of apostasy—falling away from faith in such a manner that leads to an irreversible separation from God.

The Context of Hebrews 6:4-6

Woods argues that the passage should be understood through the paradigm of the Exodus generation, who, despite their disobedience, remained God's people and merely forfeited the blessings of entering the Promised Land. While the analogy to the Exodus generation provides a historical backdrop, it does not adequately account for the gravity of the warning in Hebrews. The passage does not simply caution against the loss of blessings but emphasizes that it is "impossible" to renew those who fall away to repentance, indicating consequences far more severe than the loss of rewards.

The broader context of the Epistle to the Hebrews emphasizes the peril of apostasy. For instance, Hebrews 2:1-4 warns against drifting away from the faith, urging believers to pay careful attention to what they have heard. Hebrews 3:12-14 cautions against developing a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God, while Hebrews 10:26-31 issues a stern warning against willful sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, declaring that no sacrifice for sins remains for those who persist in such behavior. These passages build up to Hebrews 6:4-6, underscoring the real and present danger of apostasy, which, according to the text, results in a state from which it is impossible to recover—a final, irrevocable separation from the grace of God.

The Language and Imagery of Hebrews 6:4-6

Woods correctly interprets the descriptive terms in Hebrews 6:4-6—"enlightened," "tasted of the heavenly gift," "partakers of the Holy Spirit," "tasted the good word of God," and "powers of the age to come"—as indicative of genuine Christian experience. These terms unmistakably describe true believers who have experienced the fullness of God’s grace. It is precisely because these phrases refer to genuine Christians that the warning in these verses must be taken with utmost seriousness.

The phrase "it is impossible to renew them again to repentance" (Hebrews 6:6) is central to understanding the gravity of the warning. The Greek word translated as "impossible" (adynatos) is used elsewhere in Hebrews to describe things that are categorically unattainable—such as it being impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18) or for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). In this context, "impossible" signifies that those who have fallen away have reached a point where renewal to repentance is no longer possible. This is not merely about missing out on spiritual maturity; it is about reaching a state of final, irreversible apostasy where salvation is lost.

The imagery in Hebrews 6:6, where those who fall away are said to "crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame," underscores the severity of this warning. This language suggests a deliberate and conscious rejection of Christ after having once embraced Him. The act of re-crucifying Christ is not a mere lapse in faith or a momentary doubt; it represents a total repudiation of the salvation once received. This is not just about missing out on spiritual blessings; it is about severing the relationship with Christ in a way that leaves no room for recovery.

The Severity of Apostasy in Hebrews and Other Scriptures

Woods' interpretation tends to downplay the severity of the warning by equating it with the loss of rewards or blessings. However, the text itself suggests that the consequences are far more serious. The description of re-crucifying the Son of God and putting Him to open shame implies a complete and total rejection of Christ and the salvation He offers. This is not merely about failing to grow in spiritual maturity but about a deliberate decision to abandon the faith, leading to eternal consequences.

Hebrews 10:26-29 reinforces this understanding, stating, "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?" This passage, like Hebrews 6:4-6, speaks to the grave consequences of apostasy—where deliberate rejection of Christ after having received the truth leads not to a mere loss of blessings but to a fearful expectation of judgment.

Moreover, Jesus' teachings also support the severity of apostasy. In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus warns, "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." This unforgivable sin—blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—is often understood, at least by early church fathers such as Agustine, or evangelical scholars such as John Piper, as a final, willful rejection of the grace of God, paralleling the warning in Hebrews 6:6 about the impossibility of renewing to repentance those who fall away. It emphasizes the irrevocability of certain decisions that involve a complete turning away from the truth once embraced.

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus delivers another stern warning, saying, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'" This passage illustrates that outward expressions of faith, even accompanied by miraculous works, are not sufficient if they are not accompanied by true obedience and relationship with Christ. The warning is clear: mere association with Christ, without genuine and persevering faith, leads to rejection on the day of judgment.

The Apostle Paul also echoes this theme in 1 Timothy 4:1, where he warns, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons." The Greek word used for "depart" (aphistēmi) carries the connotation of a conscious, deliberate departure from the faith, which fits with the idea of apostasy leading to the loss of salvation. Paul’s concern is not about believers missing out on rewards but about the eternal ramifications of turning away from the truth.

Apostasy and Eternal Consequences

The analogy to the Exodus generation, while useful for understanding aspects of disobedience and loss of blessing, does not fully capture the New Testament's teaching on the consequences of apostasy. Unlike the temporal consequences faced by the Israelites, the warning in Hebrews 6 deals with eternal consequences. The passage addresses the ultimate fate of those who, after having fully participated in the Christian life, choose to reject Christ. The stakes are far higher than simply missing out on blessings; they involve the potential for eternal loss.

The Apostle Peter also provides insight into the consequences of apostasy in 2 Peter 2:20-22: "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: 'The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.'" Peter's words highlight the severe and worsening state of those who turn away after having known the truth. This passage, like Hebrews 6:4-6, speaks to the irreversible consequences of apostasy.

Conclusion

While Andy Woods provides a well-argued interpretation of Hebrews 6:4-6 within the framework of Eternal Security, his view does not fully address the seriousness of the warning in this passage. Hebrews 6:4-6 does not merely warn of a loss of blessings or rewards; it issues a grave warning about the danger of apostasy—falling away from the faith in such a way that repentance becomes impossible, leading to eternal separation from God.

The language and context of Hebrews 6:4-6, reinforced by other passages in Hebrews and the broader New Testament, suggest that this passage is about more than just missing out on spiritual maturity. It is a sober reminder of the necessity to remain steadfast in faith, as the consequences of falling away can be irrevocable. The warning in Hebrews 6:4-6 should therefore be understood as a caution against apostasy that can lead to the loss of salvation, rather than a mere warning about missing out on spiritual blessings. This interpretation aligns more closely with the overall message of the New Testament, which consistently emphasizes the importance of persevering in faith and the dangers of turning away from Christ.