In this fourth and final article on the third warning, we will consider two participle expressions, “seeing they crucify” and “put him to open shame”1 in verse 6, and the illustration found in verses 7 and 8. The participle expressions give meaning as to why being renewed again to repentance is impossible. The illustration is given to emphasise the warnings: (1) all faithful service yielding value for God will be rewarded, and (2) there are serious consequences of living a barren or squandered Christian life.
The participle “seeing they crucify to themselves … afresh” is from two words meaning “recrucifying” and “for themselves” (or “as concerning themselves” TYN). The NET renders it “crucifying … for themselves all over again.” The words “seeing they” are not in the original. Recrucifying cannot be taken literally, for “He is risen, He is not here,” and He “is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Mat 28:6; Heb 12:2). Clearly, it is metaphorical. If so, is the writer saying that any attempt by someone who has fallen away to renew again to repentance would involve recrucifying the Son of God for themselves? Or is it that falling away implies taking the nation’s stand, again, in rejecting Jesus of Nazareth by crucifixion? Many other aspects could be considered.
We feel the key to understanding the difficult expression lies in the fact that the readers were of Hebrew origin. Under the Old economy, a faithful Jew who had sinned or trespassed was obligated under law to offer sacrifice(s) to obtain forgiveness for anything that he had done (see Lev 4:1-6:7). Such offenses may have been through ignorance, inadvertence, wilful disobedience or presumption. Each time a sin or trespass was committed, sacrifices would need to be offered afresh to put away the sense of sin from the conscience and the defilement from the trespass. Otherwise, he “shall bear his iniquity.”
To us, it seems the writer is saying that, should a true believer fall away (regardless of the failure) and seek to be renewed again, to go back to the idea of needing to repeat a sacrifice would be tantamount to – for themselves – crucifying the Son of God all over again. While they are doing this, they would be putting Him to an open shame, since their actions imply His death was inadequate. The primary purpose of the letter is to show Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice is sufficient for all sinners, for all sins, for all time, and never needs repeating! “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1Jn 1:7). To revert to the shadow or to think His work needed repeating (i.e., to be restored) would be putting the Son of God to public disgrace.
The Illustration of Fruitfulness and Barrenness (6:7-8)
In verses 7 and 8, the writer sets forth an illustration that serves to emphasise the initial exhortation and its accompanying warning – the fearful consequences of a barren life. Firstly, note that the illustration is a contrast between two types of fruit – “useful herbs” and “thorns and briars” (JND). Fruit which is “meet” (or “useful”) will receive blessing from God (see 2Co 9:6). Thorns and briers are rejected. Secondly, both types of fruit are from the same patch of soil. Hence, it is not a contrast between two types of soil that received the same seed, as in the parable of the sower (Mat 13:3-9). From this we discern that the illustration is not concerned with two types of people, but two potential outcomes from a believer’s life.
Thirdly, the ground that faces burning is “near” to cursing (not cursed). The burning of land is commonplace in agriculture. Its purpose is not to destroy the land but to remove weeds and worthless material. The application of burning to the products of a believer’s life is not new. The Lord Jesus applied it to believers who “abide not” in Him (Joh 15:6). The apostle Paul applied it to the burning of “wood, hay and stubble” at the judgment seat of Christ (1Co 3:13-15). In both cases, only that which has value for God will remain. Worthless yield will be consumed by fire.
Fourthly, “rejected” is from a word meaning “not standing the test,” “not approved,” “worthless” or “disqualified.” In 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul used this word to describe the outcome of his own testimony (“castaway”) if he was not diligent in disciplining his body and bringing it into subjection. Remembering the context of the warning, the illustration is a warning against fruitless living, not the loss of salvation or eternal doom in the lake of fire. “But, beloved,” says the writer in verse 9, “we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation.” Obviously, the writer is not concerned with the matter of their salvation, but is desirous of seeing their full potential for God.
The sense of the warning seems to be as follows. The Hebrews were spiritually immature and not advancing. They were to leave the Old economy as a foundation and go on with their new life in Christ. If they were to dismally fail, it is impossible to be renewed through repeating the initial work of regeneration. If they attempted to do that (as they were accustomed to under the law), that would mean – for themselves – they were crucifying the Son of God afresh and putting Him to an open shame. They must make progress and be conscious that one day God will “try every man’s work of what sort it is.” The writer is persuaded that the potential for bearing fruit was there; he had seen it before and was desirous that they continue all the more.
While it is a challenging portion of Scripture, it nonetheless calls for our personal attention and application. The Hebrews were in danger of forfeiting future blessing. We too must consider the grave danger of suffering loss, of missing out on future blessing as a consequence of going backwards, of drifting away, of not going on. A soul-searching day is before us: “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2Co 5:10). And as we approach that coming day, may we each day remember that “whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Gal 6:7-10). God will not forget all that is done for Him.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.
