Among the warnings in Hebrews, the one in chapter 6 has been much abused, leading some to doubt the security of their salvation. However, that is far from the intent of this passage! The exhortation begins in chapter 5 as the priesthood of Christ is linked with Melchizedek—an Old Testament reference that the writer fears his readers will not understand since they were “dull of hearing” and “unskilled” (5:10–14). He calls them to go on to maturity (6:1).

But then comes a stern warning about “those who were once enlightened”—those who knew something of the heavenly gift, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the world to come, but have now fallen away and cannot repent again. They are like soil that receives rain from heaven but produces only thorns (vv. 4–8).

Does this imply that true salvation has been lost? No, those in such a condition never had anything more than superficial faith. They spent time with Christians and tasted the atmosphere of heaven, but they were never real. They were partakers of the Holy Spirit but were never indwelt by Him. The false apostle Judas tasted the powers of the age to come, taking part in miracles done in the name of Christ, but he betrayed the Lord and went “to his own place” (Acts 1:25).

Notice too that the warning speaks about “those” (Heb. 6:4), but readers are assured of “better things concerning you” (v. 9). This passage should fill believers not with rising doubts but rising diligence! If our testimony was once bright, let us not become sluggish—the same word as being dull of hearing. Instead, let us imitate the faith and endurance of all who move onward for the Lord.