The warning in Hebrews 6:4-6 is an extremely controversial topic in Christendom today. There are two popular theological interpretations: 1) Arminian view: a Christian can lose his salvation; 2) Reformed/ Calvinist view: believers are eternally secure so it is a warning to unbelievers in the audience. Which of these two views is correct? Is there a possible third explanation? Dr. J. Vernon McGee explains.

Hebrews 6:4-9

"For it is impossible 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, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak."

vv. 4, 5 — These are genuine believers — dull but not dead.

They need milk — the unsaved need life.

“Impossible” for men, not for God.

The following are marks of the saved, not of the lost:

(1) “Once enlightened,”
(2) “Tasted of the heavenly gift,”
(3) “Partakers of the Holy Ghost,”
(4) “Tasted the good word of God,”
(5) “and the powers of the world to come.”

v. 6 — “Fall away” (Greek parapesontas) is not apostasy. It
means to fall down, stumble, err. Literally it is and having fallen
away, a participle (there is no “if”). Peter fell down, but he was not
lost — neither was John Mark.

“Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” (Luke 3:8).

“Crucify…afresh” refers to Jewish believers returning to the Old
Testament sacrifices.

vv. 7-9 — Fruit-bearing refers to the same fruit as in John 15:5, 6.
“Rejected” — see 1 Corinthians 9:27.

v. 9 — This is the key verse to the entire passage — “things that
accompany salvation” — things that are CONNECTED with salvation

Tags: tasted the good word of god, does hebrews 6:4-6 teach that a believer can lose their salvation?, hebrews 6:4-6, hebrews 6:4-6 lose salvation, tasted of the heavenly gift, can a believer lose their salvation?, tasted the good word of god, loss of salvation, hebrews 6, hebrews 6:4, accompany salvation, hebrews 6:4-6 salvation, heb 6:4-6 salvation, can you lose your salvation hebrews 6, can you lose your salvation no, where in revelation does it say you can lose your salvation, no one in the bible ever lost their salvation, once saved always saved vs losing salvation, biblical proof you cant lose your salvation, are you afraid of losing your salvation?, can you lose your salvation?, how to get back your salvation, fear of hell