The book of Hebrews focuses on Christ’s superiority and exhorts Christians to be mature and stay strong in their faith. Although scholars have not come to an agreement as to who the author of Hebrews is, most do agree upon who the general audience is. The audience that this passage was directed towards was a “community” that had failed to mature in their faith and understanding of Christ. Hebrews 5:11-6:12 serves as one of several warning sections in the book where the author confronts his audience about their spiritual immaturity, warns them about the dangers of falling away and encourages Christians to persevere and stay strong to the end.
In Hebrews 5:11-6:3, the author confronts his audience about their spiritual immaturity comparing them …show more content…
Falling away is not just a theoretical problem or situation, instead it is a very real issue. Wright is most likely correct in the fact that this warning is directed towards those who have fallen away. However, Phillips could also be correct in stating that this warning did not apply to the readers’ current state but was just warning them for what could happen to them. Regardless of who the author was referring to, all readers of this passage from both the past and present day should heed its warnings and understand the dangers of falling away from the …show more content…
In order to best understand this passage, we must understand the original meaning of the Greek word for impossible which is ἀδύνατος. This Greek term is used ten times in the New Testament, four of which are found in Hebrews. In the NIV New Testament, ἀδύνατος is translated as “impossible” seven times, once as “weak”, once as “powerless” and once as “who was”. “The word ‘impossible’ is taken by some to mean something which can be achieved by God but not by man.” One example of this would be causing a camel to pass through the eye of a needle such as mentioned in Mark 10:25-27. Essentially, “falling away is a real danger, not a theoretical impossibility”. Also there appears to be a “point of no return” where someone willingly chooses to remain in persistent sin and puts himself in a position “where even the grace of God cannot reach him.” Ultimately, with God anything is possible because he knows the heart of His
In Hebrews 5:11-6:3, the author confronts his audience about their spiritual immaturity comparing them …show more content…
Falling away is not just a theoretical problem or situation, instead it is a very real issue. Wright is most likely correct in the fact that this warning is directed towards those who have fallen away. However, Phillips could also be correct in stating that this warning did not apply to the readers’ current state but was just warning them for what could happen to them. Regardless of who the author was referring to, all readers of this passage from both the past and present day should heed its warnings and understand the dangers of falling away from the …show more content…
In order to best understand this passage, we must understand the original meaning of the Greek word for impossible which is ἀδύνατος. This Greek term is used ten times in the New Testament, four of which are found in Hebrews. In the NIV New Testament, ἀδύνατος is translated as “impossible” seven times, once as “weak”, once as “powerless” and once as “who was”. “The word ‘impossible’ is taken by some to mean something which can be achieved by God but not by man.” One example of this would be causing a camel to pass through the eye of a needle such as mentioned in Mark 10:25-27. Essentially, “falling away is a real danger, not a theoretical impossibility”. Also there appears to be a “point of no return” where someone willingly chooses to remain in persistent sin and puts himself in a position “where even the grace of God cannot reach him.” Ultimately, with God anything is possible because he knows the heart of His